The Godfather of G0-Go, legendary musician Chuck Brown, passed away today at the age of 75. His daughter confirmed the news to ABC 7 in Washington D.C. Earlier in the week, the Washington Post reported that Brown had been hospitalized with pneumonia. Brown had reportedly postponed a number of shows due to his declining health.

A staple of music for decades, Brown’s hit, “Bustin’ Loose,” hit #1 on the MCA charts in 1970. The song would be sampled years later by rapper Nelly for his 2002 smash, “Hot in Herre.”

He will be missed. Our condolences go out to Chuck Brown’s family. — Michael Arceneaux

Will Tameka Raymond end up without a home while her ex-husband, Usher, pockets a couple of million? That’s the word according to TMZ, who says Tameka is worried that Usher is about to throw her out of the mansion he still owns as the two play the roles of Blood and Crip in their nasty custody fight. Sources tell the site that under the divorce settlement Usher can sell the property if he wants to so long as he gives her 60-days notice.

What are the chances he’d do that about a person if he can’t stand even if it’s the woman who gave him children? Judging from the many Usher interviews I’ve read and seen over the years, it’s pretty probable. Apparently she’s asking Usher for another home for her and the kids he’s trying to gain full custody of. Usher response? Hell no.

Keep hope alive, though, Tameka. That is, if you really need to…and I doubt that you do. She has a couple of businesses, and if you recall her name before added Raymond to it, Tameka was a very successful stylist in her own right. Unless she lost it all on a foiled pay day loan, I doubt she’d end up homeless if Usher decided to sell off that house. Still, best of luck to her and those kids. Nasty divorces and the therapy bills they spawn aren’t cheap. — Michael Arceneaux

(The views contained herein are solely the views of their respective authors, and do not express the views of TV One. TV One does not take responsibility for their content.)

President Obama made history after declaring his support of marriage equality and surprisingly (or not?) many Black stars are coming out in force to support both gay marriage and the president’s stance.

First there was Will Smith, who told reporters in Berlin while promoting Men In Black III that he found Obama’s declaration to be “brave.” Smith said that “if anybody can find someone to love them and to help them through this difficult thing that we call life, I support that in any shape or form.”

Meanwhile, Jay-Z, told CNN that he felt President Obama’s public support was “the right thing to do.”

He explained: “I’ve always thought it as something that was still holding the country back. What people do in their own homes is their business and you can choose to love whoever you love. That’s their business. It’s no different than discriminating against blacks. It’s discrimination plain and simple.”

When he was asked if he felt Obama’s decision to say he supports the right of same-sex couples to marry would cost him votes – notably with the Black community – Hov said, “It’s really not about votes. It’s about people.”

Well said.

Of course, Will Smith and Jay-Z are not the first Black stars to lent their voices to marriage equality. Mo’Nique filmed a PSA in support of gays having the right to wed last year. With support rising both in the polls and among their celebrity peers, will more stars speak out on gay rights? Should they? — Michael Arceneaux

(The views contained herein are solely the views of their respective authors, and do not express the views of TV One. TV One does not take responsibility for their content.)

The father of Lauryn Hill’s children (five of six for sure, no shade…I swear), Rohan Marley, is getting married — only not to L. Boogie. Brazilian newspaper Terra is reporting that the son of reggae legend Bob Marley is engaged to Brazilian model Isabeli Fontana. Marley, 39, and Fontana, 28, have been dating since last October.

Here’s more of the story courtesy of The Huffington Post:

The couple will tie the knot in Ethiopia, the birthplace of Rastafarian culture, at a yet-to-be-determined date, as Fontana told the newspaper: “Rohan told me that we must return to their origins so that the marriage will last forever.”

This will be the third marriage for Fontana, who was previously wed to models Álvaro Jacomossi and Henri Castelli, and had one son with each. It will be Marley’s second marriage; he was previously wed to his college girlfriend.

Brazilian-born Fontana was rumored to be the “other woman” in the Lauryn Hill/Rohan Marley drama last year, which culminated in Marley denying Hill’s sixth child was his. Marley and Hill were a couple from 1996-2011 and have five children together.

Marley, a former college football player, now runs a coffee company and has a line of headphones. Fontana has modeled for Victoria’s Secret, Escada, Dolce & Gabbana, Revlon, Ralph Lauren and others, as well as serving as the face of Viktor & Rolf’s Flowerbomb fragrance.

Considering the rumors that have surrounded he and Lauryn’s relationship for several years, this is an interesting turn of events, no? What do you think happened? Did Rohan grow tired of calling her Ms. Hill? Or was he like “Are you really not gonna put out another album?” like the rest of us? Or better yet, why didn’t they ever get married?

Whatever the case, congratulations to Rohan and model Isabeli. — Michael Arceneaux

(The views contained herein are solely the views of their respective authors, and do not express the views of TV One. TV One does not take responsibility for their content.)

Stevie Wonder was recently subjected to a $5 million extortion plot by a man claiming to be his kin. Yes, kin. I’m country.

That said, the alleged nephew had threatened to go to tabloids and say he is the product of an incestuous relationship between Stevie and Stevie’s sister unless he paid the large sum. Law enforcement claim that after being told no he ultimately lowered his demand to $10,000. Talk about a fall. What he actually got was an arrest — reportedly on May 2.

TMZ reports:

Our sources say undercover cops met Walker, claiming to be Stevie’s reps who had the cash, but demanded that he first sign a document which included a statement that his accusations were false.  Walker signed, and he was promptly arrested. Our sources say the incest allegation is completely bogus. Walker has been charged with felony extortion, along with his girlfriend.  He has pled not guilty.  Walker is currently in custody.

Probably humming “Never Dreamed You’d Leave in Summer.” And crying. — Michael Arceneaux

(The views contained herein are solely the views of their respective authors, and do not express the views of TV One. TV One does not take responsibility for their content.)

Surprise, surprise: There is a difference of opinion between Bobby Brown and members of the Houston family. This time, Bobby is a little less excited than most about Bobbi Kristina Brown’s participation in a Lifetime reality show starring Pat Houston and Whitney Houston’s brother, Gary Houston. It seems he was hopeful that she’d be doing his show instead.

Via TMZ:

We’re told Bobbi K has cut off all lines of communication with Bobby, so he’s been calling Pat Houston (Whitney’s sister-in-law/manager) in an effort to reach out to Bobbi. Our sources say Bobbi never even considered doing her father’s show and the rest of the family feels Bobby was only trying to use her to make his upcoming show more marketable.  Our sources say Bobby found out about the Houston family show yesterday like everyone else did.

Meanwhile, Cissy Houston thinks the show Bobbi Kris will be doing will be good for her and members of her “extended family.”

Houston family sources tell TMZ … Cissy Houston knows BK shares Whitney’s passion for music … and she believes a reality show could be the perfect place to showcase Bobbi’s talent.

We’re told … Cissy also believes a reality show will “help with the healing process” by “keeping the family as one.” Cissy also likes the fact that her “extended family” will be making money from the deal. But don’t expect Kardashian-style antics on the Houston show — producers are suggesting it will have a more serious tone … at least for now.

Here’s a thought: Should any of them be doing a reality show so soon at all? — Michael Arceneaux

(The views contained herein are solely the views of their respective authors, and do not express the views of TV One. TV One does not take responsibility for their content.)

TMZ broke news that someone is shopping footage of male supermodel Tyson Beckford having personal time in the way of T-Boz’s underrated solo track, “Touch Myself,” during a recent Internet chat session with a female model. Yes, that technically still makes it a sex tape. I’m all into specifics. And if you’re wondering, yes, Tyson does still have a girlfriend. I’m not sure if she’s the woman in the video. For the sake of his relationship, I’d hope so.

Tyson did have a few words to say about the matter, though. Taking to Twitter, Tyson revealed he is “sad but life goes on.” Also, it “don’t even faze me” before noting, “We all do it, just mine got caught on film”

He also clarified: “Not much of a sex tape lol.” — Michael Arceneaux

(The views contained herein are solely the views of their respective authors, and do not express the views of TV One. TV One does not take responsibility for their content.)

There has been constant talk that pop star and burgeoning actress, Rihanna, has been on the brink of a major meltdown due to a host of issues — many tied to the conflict between a heavy workload and equally heavy partying lifestyle. Rihanna has often deflected those rumors, but in a new clip as part of her ongoing Road To Talk That Talk, she admits that she indeed had trouble doing the balancing act.

She explained:

However, there have been more recent reports about her falling ill, and again, having trouble keeping up with the workload and rock star lifestyle she professes such affinity for. Based on this entry in Page Six, though, it looks like Rihanna has recovered just fine.

They report:

Though she needed medical attention after partying at the Met gala last week, Rihanna was spotted partying late Saturday night at SoHo nightclub Greenhouse. The club featured a party by Get Right Records, and the label’s founder DJ Benzi spun during the evening with Silver Medallion, who is also signed to the label. While rapper Flo Rida arrived early and held court with friends, Rihanna arrived at 2 a.m. with security. Spies told us that the “We Found Love” singer “was dancing up a storm,” with her security detail and various managers from the club. Sources told us RiRi wanted to dance so long, the DJs kept the music going past the club’s usual 4 a.m. closing time.

Well, as long as she’s feeling better, right? — Michael Arceneaux

(The views contained herein are solely the views of their respective authors, and do not express the views of TV One. TV One does not take responsibility for their content.)

Late last week, rumors swirled that Rihanna’s ex-boyfriend, Chris Brown, took the following swipe at her on a freestyle he did to the Kanye West track, “Theraflu.”

”Don’t f— with my old bitch, it’s like a bad fur / Every industry n—– done had her / Shook the tree like a pumpkin just to smash her / Bitch is breaking codes, but I’m the password.”

And they people can’t change. Meanwhile, another former fling of Rihanna, Drake, took shots at her on a separate song.

“She came through, she brought food / She got f—ed, she knew wassup / She think I’m the realest out / And I say ‘Damn, that makes two of us’ / Oh that look like what’s her name / Chances are it is what’s her name / Chances are, if she was acting up / Then I f—ed her once and never f—ed again / She could have a Grammy, I still treat that a- like a nominee / Just need to know what that p—- like so one time, it’s fine with me.”

Now had she said something about him, he’d be crying throughout an interview. In any event, both would deny either reference is about Rih-Rih but clearly most feel otherwise. Enter Russell Simmons, who in the post “Get Off Rihanna’s D*ck,” writes that Rihanna should be free to screw whomever (you know, the way people like Chris Brown and Drake brag about doing) without ridicule.

He writes:

There have been a lot of artists recently talking about ‘good girl gone bad,’ Rihanna.

As far as I’m concerned, I don’t see why everyone has their panties up in a bunch. It’s just that she is out there allegedly f*ckin’ the rockstars of her dreams and you out there f*ckin’ groupies.

You can’t be mad that she was seen walking out of Ashton Kutcher’s house late one night, cause you know if you were seen walking out of Adriana Lima’s house late one night, you would be in the studio the next day rapping about it. I mean, you all got like 50 girls in your videos drooling over you and you dissing Rihanna?

I can’t blame a girl for being independent, having fun and living her life the way she wants to. I am certainly not condoning indiscriminate sex, but don’t get mad cause the girl won’t give it to you anymore.

Remember, I was a manager once and I have seen these types of young men on the road. I was with Run-DMC, the Beastie Boys, LL Cool J, Public Enemy, Whoodini and saw all of the girls after the show line up outside the dressing rooms. I mean, Whoodini even wrote a song about, ‘I Am A Hoe’and went on to rap, ‘I rock three different girls after every show.’ So, I know how this sh*t works. You all got 10 times as many girls as Rihanna has men, and you know that.

I love you guys, and this certainly ain’t a diss, but I gotta keep it real.

Word. — Michael Arceneaux

(The views contained herein are solely the views of their respective authors, and do not express the views of TV One. TV One does not take responsibility for their content.)

These days you’ve got to be more aggressive than ever about securing work. If you don’t believe me, check out this story about Chaka Khan trying to make Britney Spears her co-worker. The legendary is reportedly trying to snag one of two vacant spots on Simon Cowell’s talent show, The X-Factor.

According to TMZ, the 10-time Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter had her people reach out to Simon’s in order to see if there was any interest in her becoming a judge on the FOX series. Chaka feels she’s perfect for the part, “toting her 40-year plus years of experience in the biz” to sell herself. It’s hard to argue with her logic, right?

After all, it would be nice that a person who could actually sing took part in judging a singing competition. And Chaka Khan has the personality to make her presence felt – something I worry Britney Spears does not have. God bless her…and her pharmacist who needs to lower her dosage.

Then again, people will be watching to see watch what she says no matter what. That in the end is what Simon is looking for, hence reports of Demi Lovato and Miley Cyrus being in contention to judge the show. That’s quite a difference in hue, age, and the type of celebrity than Chaka.

Still, I would’t mind this at all. I think Chaka would be great for it, especially after all that weight loss. Let’s wish Chaka well. Or better yet, let me hear from you: Do you think Chaka Khan should be a judge on The X-Factor? — Michael Arceneaux

(The views contained herein are solely the views of their respective authors, and do not express the views of TV One. TV One does not take responsibility for their content.)