MAYBACH MUSIC GROUP ANNOUNCES ALBUM RELEASE DATES, PARTNERSHIPS AT NYC PRESS CONFERENCE

Rick Ross appeared alongside Diddy, Swizz Beatz, French Montana, Omarion, Meek Mill and Wale to reveal news about his label.

Last week, Maybach Music Group and Warner Bros. Records sent a save the date for a special press conference to take place at the Eventi Hotel in New York City. Rumors circulated that the event, hosted by Rap Radar’s Elliott Wilson, would be for the signing of Omarion and Mase, as well as release dates for Self Made Vol. 2 and God Forgives, I Don’t.

This afternoon, Ross appeared to announce several new ventures including a big and tall line with Swizz Beatz and Reebok; a June 26th release date for Self Made Vol. 2; an August 28th release date for Meek Mill’s debut Dreams & Nightmares; a July 31st release date for Rick Ross'

God Forgives, I Don't; and Omarion's signing to Maybach Music Group. With Def Jam and WBR executives including Lyor Cohen, Steve Bartels and Todd Moscowitz, as well as Sean “Diddy” Combs and Swizz Beatz, in attendance, the event began with a short film that showcased the MMG squad, which includes Rick Ross, Wale, Meek Mill and Stalley. CEO of Recorded

Music for Warner Bros. Lyor Cohen took the podium to introduce Ross, marking the first time that he’s publicly introduced an artist or label since Roc-A-Fella Records 18 years ago. “When I got a chance to meet him, I saw someone that was going to be undeterred in achieving the success that he has,” said Cohen. “He’s not satisfied. There’s no stopping him. I’m so grateful that I’m associated with him and that the Warner Bros. label is associated with him.

The possibilities that Rick and Maybach Music are going to bring is going to be, in my mind, unprecedented.”

After a short Q&A with Ross about his in-studio work ethic and social media savvy, Swizz Beatz took the podium to announce a partnership with Rick Ross for Reebok to release a big and tall clothing line.

“He’s going to lead the big and tall movement,” said Swizz. “There’s a limit with clothes that stops at a certain point. With Ross, everything has to be custom made. [...] I felt that instead of just doing a regular sneaker, we give Ross his own big and tall line.”

Diddy was next to take the stage, praising Ross’ abilities and thanking him for promoting Ciroc. “I’m here to celebrate the hard work and success of my brother Rick Ross,” he said. “He, to me, is one of the hardest working men in this business. To have a relationship with him, this is not by accident. […] I know he will go down in history as one of the great record men.”

Wale took over to announce that Self Made Vol. 2 will release on June 26th, while Meek Mill revealed that his debut album Dreams & Nightmares will drop on August 28th. Rick Ross also said that his upcoming album God Forgives, I Don’t will hit retail on July 31st and that a single will drop “extremely soon.”

Rick Ross then brought out Omarion and announced him as the latest signing to Maybach Music Group. "A lot of people have been wondering what’s up with Omarion? Is his career over?" said Omarion. "I’ve never been a fan of popular opinion, but from now on, when you see me,  understand that it’s Maybach Music." After French Montana announced the release date for his debut Excuse My French (July 17th), and that the first single will feature Rick Ross, Drake and Lil Wayne, Omarion played his new single "Let's Talk" that samples The Notorious B.I.G.

Rick Ross said that he just "lets the rumors circulate" regarding signings, but wouldn't confirm any partnerships with Mase, Dom Kennedy or Nipsey Hussle.

KEYSHIA COLE PARTNERS WITH BET FOR REALITY SHOW "KEYSHIA COLE: FAMILY FIRST"

Keyshia Cole will be "at her most vulnerable" on the six-episode series, airing this fall.

Keyshia Cole has announced that she is reteaming with BET for the upcoming reality television series Keyshia Cole: Family First, which is a working title.

The six-episode series will begin airing this fall, and “allow viewers to see the singer at her most vulnerable.” DuBose Entertainment’s James DuBose will executive produce the show, as will Cole, her husband Daniel Gibson and Michele Barnwell.

Cole has previously worked with BET on the reality show Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is, which aired from July 2006 to December 2008. On the series, Cole let cameras into her life as she recorded albums and interacted with family members.

OMARION TALKS RECORD DEAL WITH MAYBACH MUSIC GROUP

Earlier today, DX reported that Rick Ross announced that he had officially signed R&B singer Omarion to his Maybach Music Group. Now, XXL has caught up with the latest member of Rick Rozay's music empire to discuss how the deal came about.

Omarion said that the deal came about by accident when he bumped into Ross and asked him for a collaboration. He says that before he even got a response from Ross, the Bawse brought him aside and said that he had been wanting to sign him to his MMG roster before that. Omarion added that he and Rozay already have a number of records in stash that they will release soon.

"Yeah, Maybach O. That’s the new movement, man. I’m so excited. I can’t even express, you know, how excited I am," he said. "It’s been a blessing...I saw Ross in North Carolina, you know, and I was telling him like 'Yo I’m bout to do...you know, I need you on these records, man, you know what I’m sayin’? I’m ‘bout to do this ill so and so with so and so.' And he was like 'Man, we need to have a conversation before that.' And we sat down and he said some real important things to me that not even executives have said to me, you know what I mean? He showed that love and he showed that respect and he was like “I believe in you,' you know what I mean? I can’t even count to you how many times on my hand in my whole career that I’ve actually had people tell me that."

He added, "[We already have a number of songs] in the stash. Recorded. Probably over the next like couple months, we probably be dropping some stuff, you know. I want to do an EP just for the fans, you know. By the way, I did recently just do a DJ Drama mixtape that I dropped just for the fans, you know. Let them know I’m still, you know, doing music and everything. But, I have to say this. I have to say that this is probably the most interesting time in my life and or career because of the perception of what people think and what they do not know."

JENNIFER LOPEZ COVERS GLAMOUR UK JUNE 2012

She's wrapping up another season of "American Idol", just announceed a tour with Enrique Iglesias and is readying for the May 18th release of her new movie, but Jennifer Lopez somehow managed to find time to partake in a cover girl gig for the June 2012 issue of Glamour UK.

Decked out in an Enza Coasta vest teamed with a Salvatore Ferragamo bandeau top and a Chris Benz skirt, the 42-year-old superstar worked it for the Matthias Vriens-McGrath shot spread while opening up about topics including cosmetic surgery, raising twins and relationships.

Highlights from Miss Lopez's interview are as follows. For more, be sure to pay a visit to Glamour UK!

On raising twins Max and Emme:
"It takes a village - you do really learn what that means when you have kids. It's a juggling act, just like any single mom. They just started sachool, three days a week. I have to travel without them here and there, so it's really important they're surrounded by family when I'm not there. They come first, though. I like to wake up with them. I like to put them to bed. That's how we do it so they feel loved, happy and what they are - the most important thing in my life."

On starting a relationship:
"You've got to be OK on your own before you can be OK with somebody else."

On the importance of keeping new relationships out of the spotlight:
It matters. Especially at the beginning of a relationship. To give something a chance, to really get to know somebody, you want to do it out of the public eye. The media, they want to rush everything. Give their seedy opinions without knowing all the facts."

On cosmetic surgery:
I'd like to think I'll age gracefully, but then I think, 'Well, what if I do want a little bit of something?'

FORMER ACTRESS, REGINA ASKIA IS NOW A REGISTERED NURSE IN USA

Former beauty queen and actress, Regina Askia-Williams is settling down to a new life and career as a registered nurse in the United States of America. The mother of three and one-time model, who relocated to the United States in 2000, recently recounted her first experience with a dying patient.

"My first code experience was on a hospice patient who unfortunately we lost. Wilding out inside but have to be professional. Family weeping..." She wrote on her Facebook page.

'.....0MG! I should have taken that course on death and dying. How do I come to terms with losing a patient...,' she asked rhetorically.

The award winning actress and model made her foray into the Nigerian film industry with her critically acclaimed role as Tokunbo Johnson, a gold digger, in the soap, Mega Fortunes, produced and aired in 1993 by NTA network.

She thereafter went on to star in a number of home videos, an early incarnation of what is now known as Nollywood, before quitting the scene.

Regina who lives in New York now works with a hospital there.

ELTON JOHN & JUSTIN BIEBER ARE SEEING RED

Looking like father and son, music legend Sir Elton John and teen pop prince Justin Bieber both rocked red Sally Jessy Raphael specs this week.

Everything old is new again.

We're just sayin'.

RACHEL UCHITEL G-STRING FOR TWO

As the latest pregnant famous person to do their best Demi Moore Vanity Fair cover impersonation, topless former Tiger Woods mistress Rachel Uchitel showed off her growing baby bump -- and nearly everything else -- in a sexy maternity g-string.

This is baby's first thong.

The 37-year-old -- who is due in eight days -- then went a little more demure by also posing covered up in a sheet.

Uchitel -- who's married to former Penn State football player Matt Hahn -- knows a new mother needs to set a good example.

KIM KARDASHIAN EXPLAINS KANYE WEST'S WARDROBE MALFUNCTION

The reality star tells E!

    He was getting out of the car and his belt got pulled by this hook on the car door and he was trying to pull it up quicker ..and his belt was really heavy. It was a wardrobe malfunction," she said bashfully.

What do you think of this explanation, you believe her?

SEGUN ARINZE QUITS AGN LEADERSHIP

National president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Segun Arinze, has reportedly resigned, owing to internal wrangling, with immediate effect.

In a statement addressed to the AGN Board of Trustees, and purportedly signed by the actor, he is giving up his post as a result of the ‘sad development’ which marred the guild’s elections, which took place at Baden Hotel in Benin City, Edo state, on Friday April 27, 2012.

Confirmation is yet to be received from the actor, as repeated phone calls and text messages were unanswered at the time of reporting. However, it appears to be the outcome of the ‘drastic action’ he previously told NET he would take after consultation with the guild’s Board of Trustees (BOT), immediately after the botched elections.

The elections into various positions in the guild have witnessed various challenges over time, including three postponements and a court injunction halting its conduct, championed by factional leader, Emeka Ike.

Below is a copy of the said resignation letter;

‘ …In view of the recent happenings in the actors guild of Nigeria and the recently botched elections in Benin… It is indeed a sad development for AGN. In actual fact my tenure as president ended on the 9th of December 2011 but I stayed on as president in deference to the

BOT and the vast majority of our members who prevailed on me to oversee a successful transition to a new president through a free and fair election. The events in Benin on the 28th of April 2012 is now common knowledge. I know I constituted an independent Agnec that was supposed to be devoid of any electoral rancour or external influences. For my integrity and honour, I hereby resign as president of actors guild of Nigeria and it comes into effect immediately. I want to thank the BOT for all the support given during my tenure, the state chapter chairmen, my fellow presidents from other guilds in Nollywood, all AGN members and especially the media for their tremendous support and positive given during my tenure. I want to thank profoundly my wife julie for holding on during the challenging period of service to the guild.

I wish the guild the very best as we move forward.

Thanks and warm regards.

Yours faithfully

Segun Arinze‘

EXCLUSIVE: MO'HITS MANSION - TO LET OR LEASE?

The ‘Mo’hits mansion’ – once home to D’banj, Don Jazzy and the rest of the Mo’hits crew, has been abandoned.

The property, situated in Maryland, in Ikeja, Lagos, was the headquarters of all Mo’hits activities for years, and the holding place, for anyone that had anything serious to do with the label. But that is no longer so, as our reporters found out recently.

A NET reporter, who visited the Maryland property says both entrances have been locked, the premises looks unkempt, the building’s windows are wide open with no curtains, suggesting there have been no occupants for a while.

After hanging around there for over five hours, our reporter confirmed there was no movement in or around the premises. A security guard next to the building happily told NET that the Mo’Hits crew left the building about five months ago. ‘Na D’banj and Don Jazzy house before but dem no dey come here again since last year.’

Meanwhile, neighbours confirmed that there haven’t been any new faces around the building since the Mo’Hits crew left. Interestingly, there’s no advertisement showing the property is up for let or lease; but we could not immediately confirm if the label’s rent is still running or if they had bought over the property.

‘If their rent was not running, and they don’t own the property, trust me, the owners would have put it up for rent since’, an estate agent working around the area tells us. ‘This is a very private and high demand area, so I’m sure there’s a reason it’s just lying there’.

In late 2010, D’banj and Don Jazzy moved out of the Maryland duplex into their Lekki residence, leaving Dr SID and Wande Coal in the ‘Mo’hits mansion’. SID and Wande would later move into separate apartments in the popular 1004 complex in Victoria Island.

We’re told D’Prince has also moved into a Lekki apartment, with his parents who have just relocated from Ireland; while Kay Switch is in the US.

Following the Mo’Hits fiasco, Don Jazzy moved out of the Lekki home he shared with D’banj; settling for a duplex inside the super expensive NICON Estate, also in Lekki, Lagos. Insiders tell us D’banj now has control of their joint Lekki property, although he now spends most of his time in the US and UK where he’s working to break into the mainstream international scene.