By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices

Timbaland plans to go into uncharted territory with his work on Madonna's forthcoming album.

The hip-hop super-producer, who crafted chart-topping hits for blue-eyed soul singers Justin Timberlake and Nelly Furtado, is ready to use his old black magic on the old pop diva -- also known as the "Mother of Reinvention."

"We just did Madonna's record," the Virginia native told MTV . "Me and Justin did the records for the album," which he said is near full completion.

"She's great. ... She's got a hot album. Her album is up there with Justin's album."

Timbaland and Timberlake wrote and produced 10 songs for the new Madonna project, most of which Tim assures are certified hits.

"Ah, man," he gushed. "There's this one song, we taking it back to 'You must be my luck-eee starrrr!' ... Remember 'Ugly' by Bubba Sparxxx? I got a beat similar to that. The hook is no words. It's saying stuff named after coffee - all these different names for coffee - is the hook. ... The name of the song is 'La, La.' Pharrell did a hot one for her too called 'Candy Shop.' She's off the chain."

By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices

Earlier today, New Orleans Mayor C. Ray Nagin officially proclaimed that August 2, 2007 was "Screamfest Day" in The Big Easy.

Platinum-plated hip-hop artists T.I. and T-Pain, along with esteemed music mogul Michael Mauldin and other community leaders joined the beleaguered city official -- who is known as the voice of Hurricane Katrina.

As previously reported by The BV Newswire, "Screamfest '07"-- which kicks off on Aug. 3 at the New Orleans Arena -- is a burgeoning cross-country showcase for the hottest R&B and rap acts. This year's jaunt is headlined by T.I. along with future pop icon Ciara, with supporting acts including T-Pain, Lloyd and Young Joc -- all artists with a huge teen following.

By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices

"The one thing you don't do is that you don't go out there and preach and upset people and make them feel uncomfortable... You don't keep getting angry, saying, 'You don't accept blacks, you don't do this, you don't do that, you don't have black television shows' - you know, I leave that to Al Sharpton."

-- 70's film icon Pam Grier on her keys to survival in Hollywood. ('New York')