Mike Tyson is a Golden Globe winner with a Golden Glove!

Former-heavyweight champ Mike Tyson says "I was telling my wife that I feel like I won the championship of the world again," Tyson told reporters backstage at the Golden Globes after "The Hangover" took the award for Best Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical. Tyson's surprise appearance both on stage during award presentations and backstage after his movie's victory was one of the show's great moments."I didn't really have too much faith in movies," he explained saying he changed his mind when finding out that director, Todd Phillips, had directed 'Old School' which Tyson loved. Tyson grew profound about his new success. "This gave me a new lease on life," he said. (FYI PR)

Preacher's Kid Feature Film Premieres January 26th Starring LeToya Luckett, Tank and Trey Songz

The ageless parable of the 'Prodigal Son' is cast in a 21st century urban setting in the new Warner Bros. Premiere/Gener8Xion Entertainment feature, Preacher's Kid. The Stan Foster-written and -directed project opens on January 29, 2010 in select theaters across the country. The premiere for this film is next Tuesday, January 26th, at 5pm (for Red Carpet) and 7pm (for actual viewing of film) respectively, at AMC Magic Johnson Theaters 15 (located at 4020 Marlton Avenue in Los Angeles).

Preacher's Kid stars platinum-selling Capitol Records artist, LeToya Luckett, as "Angie King," a 20-something daughter of a minister, who, "longing to experience more of life–and with dreams of fame and fortune in her mind–she strikes out on her own for the very first time, joining a traveling gospel show. She soon discovers, though, that life on the road is tough; but even more, she fears going home with nothing to show for herself, or worse, to a father who might no longer love her."

Written and directed by Stan Foster, whose credits include helming Bishop T.D. Jakes' Woman, Thou Art Loosed major motion picture, Preacher's Kid also stars current Grammy® nominee Trey Songz; R&B singer/producer Durrell "Tank" Babbs; Sharif Atkins (currently appearing in "White Collar" on the USA Network); GregAlan Williams (who played "Coach 'Doc' Hines" in Remember the Titans); Essence Atkins (soon to be seen in "Are We There Yet" on TBS); and Kierra "KiKi" Sheard, EMI Gospel recording artist.(PR)

LIONSGATE(R)'S TYLER PERRY'S I CAN DO BAD ALL BY MYSELF TOPS THE DVD CHARTS WITH 1.1 MILLION UNITS SOLD

LIONSGATE® (NYSE: LGF) , the leading next generation studio, and Tyler Perry continue to be an unstoppable force in Hollywood as Tyler Perry's I Can Do Bad All By Myself debuted at number one on the DVD charts, selling 1.1 million units in its first week of release. The success on DVD comes on the heels of a successful theatrical run during which the film grossed $51 million. Lionsgate also released on DVD Tyler Perry's House of Payne: Volume Five this past week. Produced, written, directed by and starring hit maker Perry, Tyler Perry's I Can Do Bad All By Myself is based on his popular stage production of the same name and stars Academy Award® nominee Taraji P. Henson (Best Supporting Actress, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, 2008) and legendary singers Mary J. Blige and Gladys Knight.

The partnership between Lionsgate and Perry has proven successful across film, DVD and television. Perry has released eight films theatrically through Lionsgate since Diary of a Mad Black Woman in February 2005, and they have collectively grossed nearly $421 million at the North American box office. Lionsgate will be releasing Perry's next two films, Why Did I Get Married Too, on April 2, 2010 and the big screen version of the landmark play, For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow Is Enuf, later in the year.

Additionally, Lionsgate's Debmar-Mercury television syndication company has delivered 172 episodes of his highly successful television series, "House of Payne," which is currently airing in a dual window on TBS and in Fox station group-led syndication. This past summer, TBS began airing Perry's second television series, "House of Payne" spin-off "Meet The Browns". Overall, 140 episodes of "Meet The Browns" have been ordered and the series will become a part of the Fox station group-led syndication in Fall 2010.(PR)

R&B SUPERSTAR OMARION HEATS UP THURSDAY NIGHTS ON MTV AS THE NEW JUDGE OF "RANDY JACKSON PRESENTS AMERICA'S BEST DANCE CREW"

Hot crews and high school phenoms will make room for one of the music industry's reigning triple threats when R&B superstar Omarion takes his seat at the judges' table for Season Five of "Randy Jackson Presents America's Best Dance Crew." Premiering Thursday, January 28th at 10p.m. ET/PT and airing back to back with Season Two of "Taking The Stage" at 11p.m. ET/PT (premiere episode sneak peek airs Saturday, January 23rd at 9p.m. ET/PT), the hit dance competition series from Warner Horizon Television will feature the accomplished Grammy-nominated singer, actor and dancer as he guides another roster of the nation's most talented dance crews towards their goal of a $100,000 cash prize and the title of America's Best Dance Crew.

"Omarion is one of the most accomplished, multi-talented young stars of his generation. His music and music videos have influenced hip-hop dance going back to his B2k days and in more recent years as a platinum-selling solo artist," said Liz Gateley, Senior Vice President of Series Development for MTV. He is an accomplished dancer, artist and actor who knows what makes a good dance crew performance. We are very excited for him to join Lil Mama and JC Chasez as our third judge."

"Omarion is a great friend and I am looking forward to him joining the ABDC family," said Randy Jackson, executive producer of " America 's Best Dance Crew." "Season Five is going to be blazing hot."(PR)

Nordstrom Celebrates Black History Month; Exclusive Big Band Swing CD Will Benefit Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

In celebration of February's Black History Month, Nordstrom will offer customers a new compilation CD entitled Big Swing: African-American Legends of the Big Band Era. The Nordstrom-exclusive CD will feature handpicked jazz songs recorded by iconic "big band" swing performers including Count Basie, Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, Louis Jordan and Billie Holiday. Beginning Feb. 1, the CD will be available for purchase for $18.95 in all Nordstrom stores and online at www.nordstrom.com/blackhistorymonth.

Nordstrom will donate all after-cost proceeds from the sale of Big Swing between Feb. 1, 2010 and Dec. 31, 2010 to the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (AAADT), an acclaimed modern dance company based in New York that inspires, entertains and educates through performances, training and educational programs across the country and around the globe. Recognized by the U.S. Congressional Resolution as a vital American "Cultural Ambassador to the World," AAADT performances share a universal celebration of the human spirit using the African-American cultural experience and the American modern dance tradition.

"Our customers and employees come from diverse backgrounds and we feel it's important to support them," said Amelia Ransom Letcher, divisional vice president of corporate diversity affairs for Nordstrom, Inc. "The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has a long history in the arts and education - two areas that are important to Nordstrom. We also share their vision of giving back to the community and are honored to partner with them in celebration of Black History Month." (PR)

BRYAN-MICHAEL COX AND SESAC HONOR TOP MUSIC PRODUCER SWIZZ BEATZ AT 6TH ANNUAL PRE-GRAMMY BRUNCH

Bryan-Michael Cox and SESAC will host their 6th Annual Pre- Grammy Brunch during the 2010 Grammy Weekend in Beverly Hills, California. The annual brunch, also sponsored by Devotion Vodka and TheCashFlow.com, will honor Swizz Beatz for his achievements and milestones within the music industry over the course of his career.

The exclusive brunch was started by Cox to pay homage to industry executives, producers and songwriters whose infinite contributions in music often go unnoticed. Cox established the brunch as a networking vehicle for his colleagues and peers. "Every year I look forward to celebrating the achievements of my comrades in music," says Cox. "This year I am especially thrilled to recognize the accomplishments of my friend and fellow music producer Swizz Beatz for his continued success and dedication to music."

Kasseem "Swizz Beatz" Dean, a member of SESAC, began his remarkable production career at age 16 garnering hits for rappers DMX, Eve and Jay-Z. He then went on to launch Full Surface Records while establishing himself as a blockbuster producer for an array of artists including Beyonce, Whitney Houston, Lil Wayne, TI, Ludacris and Chris Brown. The brunch's past honorees include Jermaine Dupri, DJ Toomp, Chris Hicks and Danja Hands. (PR)

ERYKAH BADU ANNOUNCES NEW RELEASE DATE FOR NEW AMERYKAH, PART II: RETURN OF THE ANKH IN STORES MARCH 30, 2010

Universal Motown Records multi-platinum-selling, Grammy-winning singer-songwriter-actress ERYKAH BADU announced via Twitter that she will release her fifth studio album, New Amerykah, Part II: Return of the Ankh, on March 30, 2010. The new album is the singer's hotly anticipated follow-up to her critically acclaimed 2008 disc, New Amerykah, Part I: 4th World War.

In contrast to New Amerykah, Part I: 4th World War, which was digitally produced and political in tone, New Amerykah Part II: Return of the Ankh features lush live instrumentation and taps into Badu's emotional side by thematically focusing on romance and relationships. "With Part I, I was standing at an apex, looking at what was going on around me politically, socially, and economically," Badu explained. "With Part II, I'm hovering over me, looking at what's going on inside of me."

New Amerykah Part II: Return of the Ankh features contributions from some of the most talented, groundbreaking, underground producers and engineers in the hip-hop game, including Grammy winners 9th Wonder and James Poyser, eclectic soul singer Bilal, and the late J Dilla. "We used a lot of analog instruments—harps, strings, drums, piano, and even a Theremin—to give the album that sonic feel," said Badu. "There's a strong undercurrent of bottom, a rumbling to these songs that feels good to me. It feels like a hug." (PR)

STATEMENT BY WYCLEF JEAN ON HAITI EARTHQUAKE

The following is a statement by Wyclef Jean on yesterday's magnitude 7.0 earthquake outside Port-au-Prince , Haiti :

"Haiti yesterday faced a natural disaster of unprecedented proportion, an earthquake unlike anything the country has ever experienced.

The magnitude 7.0 earthquake – and several very strong aftershocks – struck only 10 miles from Port-au-Prince .

I cannot stress enough what a human disaster this is, and idle hands will only make this tragedy worse. The over 2 million people in Port-au-Prince tonight face catastrophe alone. We must act now.

President Obama has already said that the U.S. stands 'ready to assist' the Haitian people. The U.S. Military is the only group trained and prepared to offer that assistance immediately. They must do so as soon as possible. The international community must also rise to the occasion and help the Haitian people in every way possible."

Many people have already reached out to see what they can do right now. We are asking those interested to please do one of two things: Either you can use your cell phone to text "Yele" to 501501, which will automatically donate $5 to the Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund (it will be charged to your cell phone bill), or you can visit www.Yele.org and click on DONATE. (PR)

Soul Singer Teddy Pendergrass Dies at 59

Teddy Pendergrass, who became R&B's reigning sex symbol in the 1970s and '80s with his forceful, masculine voice and passionate love ballads and later became an inspirational figure after suffering a devastating car accident that left him paralyzed, died Wednesday at age 59.

The singer's son, Teddy Pendergrass II, said his father died at Bryn Mawr Hospital in suburban Philadelphia. The singer underwent colon cancer surgery eight months ago and had "a difficult recovery," his son said.

"To all his fans who loved his music, thank you," his son said. "He will live on through his music."

Pendergrass suffered a spinal cord injury and was paralyzed from the waist down in the 1982 car accident. He spent six months in a hospital but returned to recording the next year with the album "Love Language."

He returned to the stage at the Live Aid concert in 1985, performing from his wheelchair.

Pendergrass later founded the Teddy Pendergrass Alliance, an organization whose mission is encourage and help people with spinal chord injuries achieve their maximum potential in education, employment, housing, productivity and independence, according to its Web site. (AP)

JAY-Z Adds Additional Blueprint 3 Tour Dates Including Madison Square Garden Appearance; Trey Songz Confirmed for Tour

After a stellar 2009, surpassing Elvis as the solo artist with the most # 1 albums, scoring a # 1 single with the anthemic "Empire State Of Mind" with Alicia Keys, performing during the World Series at Yankee Stadium, winning American Music Awards, sitting down with Oprah and staging a sold out 2009 tour, JAY-Z has added dates for his BP3 2010 North American tour.

JAY-Z will make a triumphant hometown appearance on March 2nd when he returns to Madison Square Garden with a performance that is sure to galvanize New York City fans. He has also added a date at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville on March 5th. It was also announced today that R&B singer Trey Songz will join JAY-Z and Grammy-nominated rapper Young Jeezy on the nationwide tour. Tickets for the newly announced dates go on sale at LiveNation.com beginning on Friday, January 15th, with all other dates on sale now.

JAY-Z BP3 TOUR 2010
-------------------

Feb 20 Sunrise, FL Bank Atlantic Center
Feb 22 Houston, TX Toyota Center
Feb 23 Dallas, TX American Airlines Center
Feb 25 New Orleans, LA New Orleans Arena
Feb 27 Atlanta, GA Philips Arena
Feb 28 Greensboro, NC Greensboro Coliseum Complex
Mar 02 New York, NY Madison Square Garden*
Mar 03 Washington, DC Verizon Center
Mar 05 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun
Mar 06 East Rutherford, NJ Izod Center
Mar 07 Norfolk, VA Scope Arena
Mar 11 Boston, MA TD Garden
Mar 12 Uniondale, NY Nassau Coliseum
Mar 14 Detroit, MI The Palace of Auburn Hills
Mar 16 Pittsburgh, PA Mellon Arena
Mar 18 Chicago, IL United Center
Mar 19 St. Louis, MO Scottrade Center
Mar 20 Indianapolis, IN Conseco Fieldhouse
Mar 22 Denver, CO Pepsi Center
Mar 24 San Jose, CA HP Pavilion
Mar 26 Los Angeles, CA Staples Center

(PR)

Ne-Yo and Keri Hilson to Perform at ESPN The Magazine's NEXT Event during Super Bowl Festivities in Miami

Miami is known for many things – from pink flamingos to "Miami Vice" to the storied history of the Fontainebleau, but come Friday, Feb. 5, it will also be known as the place where ESPN The Magazine hosted its hottest NEXT event in its history at the "new" Fontainebleau Miami Beach, featuring Grammy Award-winning singer Ne-Yo and Grammy-nominated singer Keri Hilson as its headliners.

ESPN The Magazine's NEXT event, in its sixth year, celebrates The Magazine's NEXT issue which features who and what to watch out for in sports. The Mag will erect a custom-made, 25,000 square-foot, clear-top tent on the oceanside Fontainebleau property so its athlete and celebrity guests can dance the night away under the Miami sky.

ESPN The Magazine's NEXT event will also feature MC/Music Producer Q-Tip, who will DJ the event. (PR)

Timbaland Launches Shock Value II North American Tour on January 15th, 2010

Multi-platinum producer, prolific hit-maker, and sonic pioneer Timbaland has announced details about his forthcoming North American tour in support of his current album Shock Value II, which was released by Mosley Music Group/Blackground Records/Interscope Records on December 8th.

In keeping with Timbaland's reputation as one of pop's most innovative mainstays, the Shock Value II Tour, which begins on January 15th in Virginia, will be a visual and sonic extravaganza, featuring Timbaland performing with a live band as well as surprise live guest appearances. Other special guests will appear via moving digital imagery that will be projected onto a full-size screen, creating an interactive performance experience between Timbaland and his guests, who include Drake, Katy Perry, and Brandy. In addition, New Jersey pop-rock band Honor Society will open several dates on the tour. Timbaland has also written several pieces of original music specifically for the tour and will be making live beats during the show.

"I'm so excited to come and give my fans an intimate, up-close and personal experience of my music," Timbaland says. "I want everyone to leave feeling like they never stopped dancing the entire time." (Press release)

R&B singer Usher has been reportedly ROBBED of $1 million in merchandise!

It all went down in Atlanta on December 14th -- Usher and a friend were in an AT&T store when someone broke into his GMC Yukon and took whatever they could get. According to the police report, Usher claims the bandit made off with all sorts of Xmas gifts and personal belongings including $50,000 in furs, a computer and more than a million bucks in jewelry that he happened to have in the car at the time. (TMZ)

Review: Denzel saves the world in `Book of Eli'

In the future, according to "The Book of Eli," we'll all dress like we're in a Nine Inch Nails video. It is written.

Most everyone wears goggles and leather in the post-apocalyptic wasteland of "The Book of Eli." A meteorite and a subsequent war 30 years earlier has scorched the Earth and the population.

The landscape (shot in New Mexico) is much like an old Western: bandits (albeit cannibalizing bandits) lurk the desert roads, while rough crowds take refuge in hardscrabble towns. At the downtown saloon, water, not whiskey, is "the good stuff."

Across this charred land strides our Christian cowboy, Eli (Denzel Washington), a mysterious, solitary man who carries the last remaining Bible in his backpack. He also carries a gleaming silver knife and a shotgun, both of which he's expert with.

Like a prophet, he has heard God's voice in his head and he walks West with divine determination. He says to himself: "Stay on the path."

After "the flash" of the cataclysm that rocked the Earth, many blamed the troubles on religion. All the books were burned, making the few that remain precious cargo indeed.(AP)

F1 Star Lewis Hamilton & Pussycat Dolls Singer Nicole Scherzinger Split

Formula One star Lewis Hamilton and Pussycat Dolls singer Nicole Scherzinger have split after dating for more than two years.

The 25-year-old McLaren driver and 31-year-old American said in a joint statement released Monday that they wanted to concentrate on their careers.

They had been an item since meeting at the MTV Europe Awards in Munich in November 2007. Scherzinger, a constant presence in F1’s paddock since, was track side a year later when Hamilton won his first F1 title at the Brazilian Grand Prix. (AP)

NE-YO: Mentoring helps you achieve your dreams!

Understanding that it is a blessing that God wakes me up everyday and allows me to make a living from music, the road wasn't always an easy one. Having people devote part of their lives to helping you survive, and believe in you to the point where they sacrifice a part of themselves to allow you achieve your dreams is what mentoring is all about.

There are many people in my life that have helped me to stay on the right path, but I would have to say that my manager Raynell "Tango" Hay definitely stands out. He was the one who taught me how to achieve my goals in this business, and showed me how to cultivate the music as well as the business. He's taught me to be self-sufficient and "aware" in so many ways, which has made me a better entertainer as well as a better man in this business.

Together with "Tango" and the rest of Compound Entertainment, we've established the Compound Foundation, because we understand the importance of being mentors to others and doing our part to continuously give back.

-NeYo

Lloyd Banks Arrested for ASSULT!

G-Unit's Lloyd Banks is being held by police in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, on assault and robbery charges after an incident involving a local promoter on Friday night. Authorities say that Banks and three others assaulted the promoter after the G-Unit member performed at Club NV in nearby Blandford late Friday night.

Sergeant Brad Finucan of the Waterloo Regional Police's Criminal Investigations branch told MTV News on Sunday (January 10) that Banks (real name: Christopher Lloyd) and three associates got into a dispute with the promoter at a local hotel over payment for performance and an appearance fee. The promoter's name was withheld by police.

The promoter alleged that early Saturday morning the lyricist and three associates — Nicklas Sloane, Shawn McGee, and Tyrell Cooper — held him in his hotel room against his will, assaulted and robbed him. All four men were charged with forceful confinement, aggravated assault and robbery. The four made a video court appearance on Sunday afternoon (January 10) and are due to appear in court again early this week. They remained in police custody at press time. (MTV)

Official Statement on Behalf of Nik Pace - Regarding Legal Matter with Braylon Edwards

It is unfortunate that Mr. Braylon Edwards and his legal counsel have gone beyond the scope of addressing a very personal matter privately and professionally and have released false statements about Ms. Nik Pace to members of the media. It has been very upsetting for Ms. Pace to have to defend her character against the deliberately false allegations brought against her.


The fact of the matter is that Mr. Edwards and Ms. Pace shared an intimate relationship for over two years. Over this time the relationship involved meaningful times spent with friends and family and resulted in the birth of their son. Mr. Edwards' recent actions do not speak to the positive image he has portrayed in recent media reports. Contrary to statements released by Mr. Edwards and his attorney on December 18, 2009, he has not acted in the best interest of his child. In reality, Mr. Edwards has barely acknowledged the birth of his son or his upbringing.

At no time was Mr. Edwards refused the right to attend the birth of his son. Ms. Pace encouraged him to do so. Additionally, Mr. Edwards has yet to sign his son's birth certificate making it impossible for his son to have his last name, Edwards as Georgia law requires. It is also completely and unequivocally false that Ms. Pace has ever requested a specified settlement from Mr. Edwards in the amount of up to $70,000.00 per month. As it relates to Ms. Pace's residency, she is a legal resident of the state of New York and has resided and worked as a professional model in the tri-state area since 2006. Reports that she resides in Georgia are false. Ms. Pace gave birth where she received family support, just as many women do.

In closing, Ms. Pace truly preferred for she and Mr. Edwards to come to an amicable agreement regarding the care of their child without the involvement of attorneys, but it is Mr. Edwards who opted otherwise by initiating a legal process. Ms. Pace has and will continue to limit the disclosure of personal and sensitive information in the best interest of her child and asks that the media takes into account the facts regarding the situation before drawing hurtful conclusions that further support the disingenuous statements. Ms. Pace's only wish is that Mr. Edwards accepts the shared responsibility of raising their son and chooses to become the loving father his son deserves." (2R'S Entertainment & Media)

Michelle Williams To Star In Broadway’s Chicago

Former Destiny’s Child star Michelle Williams will see her name in lights next month when she high-kicks her way into the starring role of Roxie Hart in Chicago on Broadway.

Williams, 29, will play the wannabe star-turned-murderess for a limited run in the hit musical from Feb. 8 to March 28. Williams will be taking over from Ashlee Simpson-Wentz, who debuted in the revival on Dec. 1. (A winner of six Tonys, this production of Chicago has been running on Broadway for 13 years.)(PEOPLE.COM)

RYAN LESLIE COVERS THE WINTER 2010 ISSUE OF BLEU MAGAZINE

In celebration of the new year and a new decade, Bleu Magazine "transitions" for a broader audience and proudly announces that award winning Singer/Songwriter/Producer Ryan Leslie graces the Winter 2010 cover of BLEU Magazine. "We have watched Ryan Leslie over the past couple of years "transition" into this mature, successful, and fashion forward confident man, so it was not only a perfect fit as his sophomore album is titled "Transition", but it was a must for Ryan to cover the new issue of Bleu, says De'Von Christopher, Publisher of Bleu Magazine."


2010 promises to debut a more polished, chic, confident, and informed BLEU Magazine. The new Bleu man will be involved in political, financial, educational, environmentally friendly, techno, and community service-based projects. BLEU Magazine will offer the very best in arts, design, literature, music and theater. The BLEU Man is the new black. Always and forever!


This winter issue features an exclusive sit-down interview with American Idol winner Fantasia as she dispels the rumors surrounding The Color Purple musical and shares insight on her new VH1 reality show "Fantasia - For Real" and details on her upcoming album. Bleu's Entertainment Editor, Ray Cunningham sits down with Grammy nominated songstress Melanie Fiona to discuss her debut album "The Bridge.”


In this issue you will also find an exclusive interview with the biggest female recording artist of all times Mariah Carey as she shows how "Precious" she is by discussing her role in the breakout film of the decade as well as marriage to Nick Cannon and her upcoming new remix album. You will also find, green grooming tips featuring Weleda products, post-holiday workout tips, winter fashion spread, and much more! (2R'S ENTERTAINMENT PR)

THE BET HONORS Premieres February 1st Honoring Whitney Houston, Queen Latifah, Sean "Diddy" Combs, Ruth Simmons & Keith Black

The 2010 honorees include legendary songstress Whitney Houston (Entertainment), multi-faceted entertainer Queen Latifah (Media), respected business mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs (Entrepreneur), accomplished educator Ruth Simmons (Education), and world renowned neurosurgeon Keith Black (Public Service). Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, India.Arie, Patti LaBelle, ELEW and others will pay tribute to these phenomenal stars with riveting performances.

"Celebrating the 30th anniversary of BET Networks this year, we are so proud to present the third annual BET Honors, a show celebrating the life works and accomplishments of inspiring African Americans," said Stephen Hill, President of Music Programming and Specials, BET Networks. "Each of our six celebrants are dedicated to reaching back to help bring more forward and represent integrity, perseverance, fortitude and outsized talent. Music, merriment and memories are only a small part of BET Honors. We also hope to encourage our viewers to embody and emulate the passion and drive of these individuals." (BET PR)

Mario talks about how imporatant it is to have a mentor in life!

It was growing up that I experienced the positive influence a mentor can have on someone's life. Someone you can trust, who will support you and give you advice that is in your best interest.

Having a parent that was addicted to drugs was especially challenging for me. There were times she was unable to be there for me due to her illness which is why having a growing support system was so critical. My mentors were family members, friends and teachers that I felt comfortable sharing all aspects of my life with.

In my life, mentors played a large role.

Growing up my Grandmother, Mr. Price (my Music teacher) and my Pastor’s son kept me on the right path when the wrong path was so easily accessible.

The importance of giving back and caring for those who are most in need of help is why I often lend my time to different charities and why I started my own foundation - MARIO’s DO RIGHT FOUNDATION

I encourage you to find a mentor and make that person an important part of your life.

Best,
Mario

Follow me on twitter @mariosoultruth

BET Assembles Gospel and R&B Music's Brightest Stars for the Tenth Anniversary of 'CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL'

BET Networks makes a joyful noise on Sunday, January 10 at 8:00 p.m.* with the premiere of CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL. Taped at the Orpheum Theater in Los Angeles and hosted once again by host and author Steve Harvey, the night included uplifting performances, powerful duets and soulful choirs. Aptly themed "Ten Years, Faithfully Yours," in honor of the show's 10th anniversary, CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL featured breathtaking performances and spoken word segments by both mainstream and gospel greats including Fantasia and her mother Diane Barrino Barber performing "He's Done Enough"; Anthony Hamilton and his wife Tarsha Hamilton singing "Better", and The Rance Allen Group performing a soulful rendition of "Something About the Name Jesus." (PR)

World's Tallest Building Officially Opens in Dubai

UBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Dubai opened the world's tallest skyscraper Monday in a blaze of fireworks, then added a final flourish: It renamed the half-mile-high tower for the head of neighboring Abu Dhabi, whose billions bailed out Dubai amid last year's financial crisis.

The world's tallest building during the official opening ceremony in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Long known as Burj Dubai — Arabic for "Dubai Tower" — the building rises 2,717 feet (828 meters) from the desert. The $1.5 billion "vertical city" of luxury apartments and offices and a hotel designed by Giorgio Armani also plans to have the world's highest mosque (158th floor) and swimming pool (76th floor).

Chris Henry's Fiance Speaks For The First Time

Chris Henry's wife fiance is speaking out for the first time about the deadly accident that killed Henry.