Today, an Arizona judge sentenced rapper DMX to six months in a Phoenix jail for violating his probation by regularly using drugs, court officials said.

The former chart-topper, whose legally known as Earl Simmons, was also placed on 20 months probation by Maricopa County Court Commissioner Christine Mulleneaux.

He was arrested last week after authorities said he admitted to using cocaine and not complying with the terms of his treatment plan.

The 39-year-old New York native faced five counts of violating probation.

With a rap sheet just as long as his Def Jam Records discography, DMX -- who also had a promising acting career -- has a long history of arrests on charges ranging from animal cruelty to reckless driving and weapons possession.

They say there's nothing like a mother's love.

And that's a good thing for one of Hollywood's most raved about break-out actresses.

Gabourey Sidibe's mom is dismissing controversial remarks made by syndicated radio personality Howard Stern about the Oscar-nominated actress' weight.

Alice Tan Ridley, a powerhouse vocalist who performs in New York City subway stations for a living, said that the legendary shock jock should "get a life" during an interview with the TV show 'Inside Edition.'

Sidibe, the star of the Lee Daniels-directed drama 'Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' By Sapphire,' was nominated for Best Actress but lost the award to Sandra Bullock on March 7.

As previously reported by BV Newswire, Stern and his sidekick Robin Quivers incited a firestorm of controversy for their comments about the 26-year-old actress.

Ray CharlesThe long awaited musical theater production based on the life of late, great music icon Ray Charles will finally make its way to Broadway this fall.

'Unchain My Heart, the Ray Charles Musical' is set to begin previews Oct. 8 at a Shubert theater to be announced.

Sheldon Epps, the artistic director of the Pasadena Playhouse – where the show originated in 2007, will direct the revamped production, which will feature a score by Charles and a book by Pulitzer Prize winner Suzan-Lori Parks.

Though most critics – hands down – praised Mo'Nique's stunning acting performance as a loathsome welfare queen in 'Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire,' many gossip columnists and pop culture pundits ostracized her for not doing what other Academy Award nominees have done – to promote their films.

Well, the rotund funny-woman seemed to have gotten that last laugh during the 82nd Annual Academy Awards on March 7; she actually won the prize for best supporting actress.

Accepting the award during live internationally-televised broadcast, the brazen Baltimore native stated: "I would like to thank the Academy for showing that it can be about the performance and not the politics."

"To my amazing husband, Sidney [Hicks] -- thank you for showing me that sometimes you have to forego doing what's popular, in order to do what's right," she added to the chagrin of her naysayers and detractors.

Mo'Nique's big win, while momentous to many, caused a stir on social media circles such as Facebook and Twitter, with many of the websites' "followers" lampooning her – some audaciously going as far that she will never be recognized again for such an honor.

Meanwhile, her fellow comedian and friend Sheryl Underwood showered her with praise for her win.

"Here is a person, who went through adversity in her childhood and in her personal life, that we have seen evolve to become comfortable enough in her own skin to perform stand-up comedy, star in her own sitcom and host reality shows, the BET Awards and her own BET talk show."

"The way she has channeled traumatic experiences into an Academy Award winning performance let's us all know that with belief in yourself and a higher power you can accomplish great things ... [I am] confident that Mo'Nique will go on to produce, direct and star in other award winning vehicles, and I must say she looked beautiful in her royal blue gown, accented with a white flower in her hair."

The Lee Daniels-directed drama 'Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire' was the big winner at last night's Spirit Awards in Los Angeles.

The Lionsgate-distributed film took home the best picture prize and four other honors that also included trophies for screenwriter Geoffrey Fletcher and its stars Gabourey Sidibe and Mo'Nique.

The one and the only Beyoncé continue to use her brand to do some good – for others.

On March 5, the international superstar joined her mother Tina Knowles, and New York City politicos Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz to unveil the Beyoncé Cosmetology Center in Brooklyn, New York.

The Beyoncé Cosmetology Center, will offer a seven month cosmetology training program for adult men and women, enabling hundreds of Phoenix House clients to prepare for successful careers in the cosmetology field.

Today, some of the most beautiful, powerful and talented black women in the world were on hand when Essence magazine honored Cicely Tyson, Queen Latifah, Zoe Saldana, Gabourey Sidibe and Mary J. Blige during its star-studded Essence Magazine at the posh Beverly Hills Hotel.

Celebrity notables such as Paula Patton, Steve Harvey, Vivica A. Fox, Lela Rochon, Angela Bassett, Victoria Rowell, Tichina Arnold, Keri Hilson, Garcelle Beauvais, Holly Robinson Peete, Serena Williams, Tia Mowry, Nia Long, Shaun Robinson and power brokers such as Suzanne de Passe, Tracey Edmonds, Robi Reed and Marvet Britto joined close to 300 VIP guests at the intimate and exclusive Lincoln-sponsored event, which also commemorated the 40th Anniversary of the magazine as well as its annual Hollywood issue.

Styled as a fitting homage to old Hollywood décor, borrowed heavily from Truman Capote's legendary black & white ball with special ruby accents and Swarovski crystals to commemorate the 40th Anniversary, the soiree was the event du jour leading up to this year's Academy Awards on March 7.