Getting off her record label has been a long time coming for Jill Scott, but it looks like now she can finally see the light – literally.

The Grammy Award-winning R&B diva is putting the finishing touches on her eagerly-anticipated album, 'The Light of the Sun,' which was due for release last year. A messy legal battle with Hidden Beach Recordings (who released her four opuses since 2000) delayed the project.

Now comes news that Scott has entered into a distribution deal with Warner Bros. Records. The unique relationship with the iconic label plans to bolster the Jill Scott brand into the next phase of her multi-dimensional career, which encompasses the film, television and literary industries.


'The Light of The Sun' now has a release slated for later this year.

"I've always looked to empower my fans through my message of love, independence and strength," Scott said in a statement released yesterday. "A lot has gone on in my life since my last album, so I'm extremely excited to share the new music with all of the people that have supported me these past ten plus years. This album is very revealing, and I can't wait for everyone to hear it."

"Can I be candid? I don't like all of Tyler Perry's films. Yes, I did work with Tyler for 'Daddy's Little Girls' because it portrayed a positive image of a black father. I am happy for Tyler's success...we need Tyler Perry ... by going to support his movies, we need to show economic strength. But we are also responsible for elevating film. I'm not with buffoonish characters like Madea or Big Momma."

-- Actor Idris Elba weighinng in on Tyler Perry's success in Hollywood and bufoonish imagery. (Vibe)

Jordin Sparks may have taken home the title of 'American Idol' during the show's sixth season, but one of her fellow finalists is unlikely following in her footsteps -- on the New York City theater scene.

In what seems to be out of nowhere, Sanjaya Malakar made his New York stage debut in the off-Broadway musical 'Freckleface Strawberry' this week. Directed by Buddy Crutchfield, the show is currently playing at New World Stages and is based on the popular children's book series written by acclaimed actress Julianne Moore.

The Seattle-are native joins 'Spring Awakening' alum Remy Zaken in the title role, alongside Julia Bray, Kimiko Glenn, Andrew Cristi, Linda Gabler and the ultra-talented Mykal Kilgore (a protégé of dynamic Broadway powerhouse Billy Porter).

There seems to be no stopping James Earl Jones.

The legendary actor, whose voice has been heard in the Star Wars movies (as Darth Vader), Disney's animated marvel 'The Lion King' and on CNN (in their ubiquitous bumper promos), has booked his second Broadway show – within a year.

The 80-year-old thespian is currently starring as Hoke Colburn, the chauffeur in the critically-acclaimed revival of 'Driving Miss Daisy.'

Now comes word that he will star in the role of the feisty, folksy and wily ex- U.S. President Arthur Hockstader in a revival of 'Gore Vidal's The Best Man,' which is slated to start its Broadway run in the spring of 2012.

On the one-hour show, which revolves around the Motown Records legend, her children ; Rhonda Ross Kendrick, Tracee Ellis Ross, Chudney Ross, Ross Arne Naess, Evan Ross and her first grandson Raif Henok Emmanuel Kendrick make appearances.

It was a good night to be Jay-Z.

New York's current "King of Hip Hop" won three trophies in a ceremony preceding the glitzy '53rd Annual Grammy Awards,' but didn't bother showing up to revel in what was branded as "Music's Biggest Night."

Meanwhile, Eminem -- another hip hop icon, who was a supposed shoo-in to win the major award categories tonight – was there front and center. He even performed (ahem, shouted) an angst-riddled set featuring Dr. Dre, Rihanna and an unidentified chanteuse who nearly put the Bajan beauty to shame. Yet, the Detroit native legally known as Marshall Mathers only took home two trophies – after leading the pack with 10 nominations.

When it came to doling out the awards this year, that sentiment seemed to pretty much summed up the night from start to finish, though.



Surprises and shut-outs seemed to be the status quo at tonight's show; proving once again that just because you're a mainstream media darling, that doesn't necessarily mean you will win an award.

Ask Justin Bieber.

The teen dream had one hell of a week; a Superbowl commercial, his debut movie raking in $30 million at the box-office its opening weekend, and a hyped-up Grammy Awards performance with his mentor/big "brotha," Usher Raymond, and pal Jaden Smith. He walked away empty handed.

It was him and the other mainstream media darling, Drake, who were duking it out for the coveted trophy for Best New Artist. They both were plastered over covers, appeared on late night talk shows and their names were ubiquitous on Viacom-owned music-centric networks like MTV and BET. Who won? Neither; the relatively unknown classical instrumentalist/singer Esperanza Spalding.

A favorite of President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, she's also recently toured with Prince -- after being hand-picked by The Artist for his BET Awards tribute last year.

Primarily known as a jazz bassist, the Portland, Oregon native has served a professor at Berklee College of Music and has recorded with M. Ward.

She, herself, seemed shocked at the big win. "Thank you to the Academy for even nominating in this category," she gushed as she approached the podium. "Thank you to the beautiful family of musicians I'm so blessed to be a part of ...I take this honor to heart so sincerely and I'll do my damndest to make a whole lot of great music for all of you. It's such a blessing and an honor. God bless."

Spalding, 26, joins a growing list of music superstars who won the honors over the years, including Bette Midler, Natalie Cole, Jody Watley, Sade, Mariah Carey, Toni Braxton, Carrie Underwood, Adele, and John Legend, who introduced her for the award.

Her third album, 'Chamber Music Society,' was recorded last year and received critical acclaim in the classic music genre featuring her ethereal vocals and upright bass playing.


Below are other noteworthy scenes from the '53rd Annual Grammy Awards':

Earlier this evening, viewers of the '53rd Annual Grammy Awards' got to see a start-studded tribute to the one and only Aretha Franklin. Asides from being delighted with the powerful voices of Jennifer Hudson, Yolanda Adams, Christina Aguilera, Florence Welch and Martina McBride belting out a medley of Franklin-certified hits (including 'Respect' and 'Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves'), the world got to see a videotaped thank you from the undisputable Queen of Soul.

It was the first time the world got to see Franklin up, close and personal since her Dec. 2 surgery.

From her home in the Detroit area, the 18-time Grammy Award winner said she "loved" the salute, which opened the show.

The 53rd annual Grammy Awards show will be presented at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, tonight. It's branded as Music's Biggest Night. Before the internationally, broadcast telecast gets underway, a majority of awards were handed out.

Below is an early list of winners:

For those of us who thought Aretha Franklin's big reveal would happen at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards ceremony tonight, we must think again.

Though the undisputed Queen of Soul will be showered with a vocal Valentine's tribute by the likes of Jennifer Hudson, Yolanda Adams, Martina McBride and Christina Aguilera, she will not be present at the Staples Center festivities this year. Instead he taped a video to thank the Recording Academy for their honor.

Franklin, however, showed up to the Palace of Auburn Hills in Detroit to catch a game of basketball with her longtime friend Rev. Jesse Jackson on Friday night.


"I'm feeling really great," Franklin, who is recovering from an undisclosed ailment – which was rumored to be pancreatic cancer, told reporters. "Loving the game, loving the game."