ALICIA KEYS CONCEALS BABY BUMP AT CHARITY EVENT

Alicia Keys recently hosted the Black Ball, a gala in support of her Keep A Child Alive charity organization, in London, England. The rumors that Keys is pregnant with her first child have been confirmed to be true, but it doesn't seem that the singer is ready to showcase her expectancy to the world.

At the event, she rocked some loose fitting garments which helped to "mask" her baby bump.  She is scheduled to tour in support of her album, The Element of Freedom, through the month of June. She and producer Swizz Beatz (the baby's father) are engaged to be married; the wedding will likely take place at the end of the year. 

imagery| Neil Mockford/Getty Images Europe

CANDIDS |→ KELLY ROWLAND, HALLE BERRY, TAYE DIGGS, & RIHANNA

Kelly Rowland was spotted in ripped denim shorts as she returned to her hotel in London. She's across the pond working her new single, "Commander," and she also took that stage to perform during Big Weekend.  

Over the weekend, a newly single Halle Berry was spotted out and about with a friend.  She even looks great sans makeup in sweats and tennis shoes.  #Nowthatsabadbisch 

Rihanna's been keeping a low profile since she's been on tour.  The singer was spotted in the streets of Glasgow, Scotland, greeting a few fans before performing on the UK leg of her Last Girl on Earth tour. 

Actor and avid train rider Taye Diggs was on site to kick-off National Train Day festivities at NYC's Penn Station.  He unveiled a large "trainscape" designed by Carlo's Bakery, the setting for the hit series Cake Boss.

imagery| Getty, Bauer Griffin, Say Holla!

ESTELLE, SELITA EBANKS, & WHITNEY PORT ARE EXECUTIVE WOMEN

Singer Estelle, model Selita Ebanks, and television personality Whitney Port posed together on the red carpet at  the 2010 Cosmetic Executive Women Beauty Awards at The Waldorf Astoria. 

Glad to see Selita back to her regularly sexy self.  I still don't know what possessed her to slap THIS WIG on a few weeks ago.  

imagery| Jason Kempin/Getty

KELLY ROWLAND CALLS BRANDY OBNOXIOUS

Call this deleted scene from VH1's Brandy & Ray J: A Family Business 'How Brandy met Kelly."  In the clip, Brandy talks about competitiveness in their relationship, and Kelly reveals that Brandy rubbed her the wrong way on their initial meeting.  I'm not sure why this clip was left on the cutting room floor; it's both REAL and hilarious...

DOUBLE THE BEAUTY: TIA & TAMERA SPOTTED IN NYC + WENDY WILLIAMS INTERVIEW

Tia and Tamera Mowry showed off their glamorous sides and greeted fans as they left their NYC hotel in route to tape an appearance on the Wendy Williams Show.  While The Game was being re-negotiated, the ladies teamed up to star in, and produce, a new Lifetime movie.  Watch the interview after the cut.

CATCHING UP W/→ JANET JACKSON FLAUNTING HER SHORT CUT IN LONDON TOWN

Janet Jackson switched up her hair game and went short just in time for summer.  I must admit, the results are stunning.  This cut is truly showcasing her beauty, and she was all smiles at the preview screening of Why Did I Get Married Too at Brixton Ritzy in London. 

...this is the Janet i know and love.  Maybe she can make her way to the top of the charts again if she brought this sophisticated, sexy swag to her new music.  

imagery| Bauer Griffin

QUICK TRENDS

GQ MAG ONLINE has this spring's color-charged dress shirt guide.  After heading there, make sure to stop by STREET ETIQUETTE  to see how you can complete your spring look with the classic double-breasted blazer. UPSCALE HYPE has eye-wear candy courtesy of Persol, as seen on Orlando Bloom. 

MODEL WATCH: SESSILEE LOOKS GOOD IN HER WHITE TEE

Sessilee Lopez came out from hiding over the weekend.  The Philly-born model gave photogs some flirty poses on the red carpet at the 7 For All Mankind launch celebration in New York City.

imagery| Andrew H. Walker/Getty

TRAVIS MCCOY COVERS MAY ISSUE OF HONEYMAG

Gym Class Heroes front man Travis McCoy covers Honey Magazine's May issue.  He talks with the online mag about beefs, breakups, and branching out from his band.

On Blogs and Beef:

"I used to pay a lot of attention to the gossip blogs. I'm way beyond that, but I am addicted to ThisIs50. Hip hop is like my little soap opera. I love the beef. Right now I am into the Benzino and Slaughterhouse beef. To see Royce with a rocket launcher like, 'Blow your whole house up.' I am more entertained with hip hop beef than with Perez Hilton or who Katy Perry is dating or engaged to."

 Head on over to  HONEYMAG.COM to read the full interview, see more photos, and watch behind-the-scenes footage from the photoshoot. 

SWIZZ BEATZ, SON KASSEEM ATTEND EVENT IN THE BIG APPLE

Ever since separating from his wife Mashonda, it seems like super producer Swizz Beatz has been spending more time with his kids publicly.  Over the weekend,  Swizz Beatz and his son Kasseem attended the 2010 SESAC New York Music Awards.

RUMOR HAS IT that Swizz's and his current girlfriend, Alicia Keys, may be expecting their first child and that his divorce from Mashonda has been finalized. 

imagery| Getty

THE VEST THAT STOLE THE SHOW

On the last episode of Saturday Night Live, there was but one thing that threatened to steal Betty White's thunder: Jay-Z's vest.

The rapper rocked a leather studded BESS vest ($1,650) while performing a medley of his hits, and the jury is still out on weather or not this was a good look.  Check out some of the tweets about his look below:

Personally, i like the vest.  I just thought it was a bit short for the t shirt he had on.  What did you Quicksters think about Jay's SNL look?

Online Surveys & Market Research

FIRST LOOK: KELLY ROWLAND'S COSMO PHOTOSHOOT

Kelly Rowland is surely one of the most beautiful women in the industry and these first looks at her South African Cosmopolitan cover shoot solidify the fact.  I'm glad that's she's getting her chance to shine. 

imagery| kelly-rowland.net

FRESH MUSIC|→ TREY SONGZ'S "I NEED A GIRL/ USE SOMEBODY" (UNPLUGGED)

♪"I NEED A GIRL / USE SOMEBODY"♪

(HOT COVER!!)

Trey Songz really grew on me this year when he dropped Ready, one of the best R&B albums i've heard in a while.  For his MTV Unplugged performance, Songz mixed two of my favorite songs, his track "I Need A Girl" and Kings of Leon's "Use Somebody."  This unplugged cover has been in heavy rotation on my mp3 player, download the audio above and check out the performance.

link| www.boxkev.com

DMX BLOCKED FROM APPEARING ON CELEBRITY REHAB

 It looked as though troubled rapper Earl Simmons DMX might be released from jail early for a chance to receive treatment from Dr. Drew and appear on VH1's Celebrity Rehab.  Dr. Drew was hoping that he could treat X at his Cali rehab clinic and tape the rapper's progress for the show.  However, an Arizona judge recently rejected the rapper's request to leave the state. TMZ reports:

"According to a rep for the Maricopa County Superior Court in Arizona, the judge rejected the rapper's petition for one reason -- he's already doing really well in the Arizona court-appointed substance abuse program, which ends early in July.

After that, the judge says, DMX can pursue treatment at Dr. Drew's facility -- but by then, taping will already have begun for "Celeb Rehab" and X will have missed his chance.  X is currently in jail in Arizona for violating his probation."

RAY J & BRANDY RIDING HIGH ON THE SUCCESS OF VH1 REALITY SHOW

Reality stars Ray J and Brandy were in good spirits over the weekend when paps spotted them leaving dinner at Philppe Chows in West Hollywood.  Brandy & Ray J: A Family Business has been pulling in solid ratings for VH1.

It's just interesting how the dynamic of their careers has changed.  Brandy was able to help Ray J jump start his career by bringing him onto Moesha.  Now, Ray is helping Brandy re-establish herself with the public with this new family show that he co-created.  

imagery| X 17

KELLY ROWLAND REVEALS "COMMANDER" SINGLE COVER, SAYS SHE LOVES BEYONCE

On her OFFICIAL website, Kelly Rowland recently revealed the disco-licious cover for her new single "Commander."  The track impacts here in the States on May 18th and internationally on May 17th.  Now i understand the "big" hair...and i like.  In an interview on the set of the video, Kelly discusses her current relationship with her former group members:

M.I.A.'S "BORN FREE" VIDEO AIMS TO KILL

Video is NSFW. Also, if you are a red head or opposed to violence and murder, you may not want to watch.  Like Erykah Badu with "Window Seat," M.I.A. uses an extreme video to make people uncomfortable and to call attention to social issues. 

EVENT HOPPING W/→ GABOUREY, KERRY WASHINGTON, COMMON, & QUEEN LATIFAH

Gabourey Sidibe rocked a spring-inspired look to The American Cancer Society's Choose You luncheon at Saks Fifth Avenue. 

Actress Kerry Washington hit the press circuit before heading into the 2010 Lucille Lortel Awards benefit at Terminal 5 in New York City.  

Common and Queen Latifah both looked fly in muted colors at the New York premiere of "Just Wright" at Ziegfeld Theater. 

 imagery| Getty

QUICK INTERVIEWS|→ INTRODUCING BLACKGROUND RECORDING ARTIST J. LEWIS

Newly signed Blackgroud/Interscope recording artist, J. Lewis, hails from Middle America, but he's no factory packaged singer. With a touch of street savy, Lewis is an multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, producer, vocalist, and dancer. Lewis recently took time out from recording his debut album to talk with Quick's Catch Up about his journey, upcoming album, and the music industry.

[QUICK] How did you break into the industry and eventually find yourself signed to the Blackground/Interscope imprint?

[J. LEWIS] I had been playing open mics and clubs for about 2-3 years before I got signed. I was showcasing to a bunch of different labels when I got a meeting with Blackground/Interscope. I went in and played some songs for them and they made me an offer that day. It's crazy but it really does just take a lot of groundwork to get a foot in the door and be ready. Getting signed is only the start though. Step 1 of 1000.

When you first walked into the Blackground office, where there any artists that you saw with gold and platinum records on the walls that had an influence on you when you were growing up?

[J. LEWIS] Ya, of course… Blackground has started and helped so many artists that have literally changed the sound of music. Timbaland, R. Kelly, Missy, Aaliyah, Toni Braxton, just to name a few. I still can't wait to work with Tim… Call me Tim.

New artists have a tough task of both selling themselves and their music these days. What does J. Lewis bring to the industry, and how do you describe your sound?

[J. LEWIS] It's funny, this is the question you get asked the most and it's always a weird question to answer. I'm just having a blast in the studio, writing and creating. I'm working with a bunch of amazing producers and writers and we're putting together a great album. It's got a lot of different vibes with the same sonic sound. I'm very involved in writing and that keeps a clear direction. I also wanna make sure we can bring a fresh live take to all of the songs. Whether that's stripping it down to just an acoustic or a piano, or throwing more live elements into it.

Since you are a singer/songwriter/producer, are you your own biggest critic when it comes to your music?

[J. LEWIS] Ha… Ya totally. I write a lot so there's always stuff I'll do that I love and stuff that I wake up the next morning and go, "Ok…. and onto the next one…." The funny part is finding what other people like. I'll write a song and just be whatever on it, and people flip. Or the worse scenario, I write a song and am flipping over it and everyone else is whatever on it. I love seeing what type of people like what types of songs…

Your fist single, “Dancing For Me,” featuring Flo Rida is being received well, what would you like for the single to accomplish?

[J. LEWIS] Dancin' for me is a fun record. I just want the first single to bring people in and make em check out what I'm doin. Flo Rida works with the label a lot and had heard the record and liked it. Blackground/Interscope approached him and he sent his verses in like the next day or so. He was in Atlanta when he recorded his part so when he sent the files to us in LA we were all flippin in the studio.

When can we expect your debut album to drop?

[J. LEWIS] Hopefully after summertime. Who knows. We keep writing songs and the singles keep changing. Ha. I'm just gonna keep writing till they say it's closed and ready… I have a few songs that we're definitely gonna get features on. We're gonna start approaching other artists so we'll see...

Are there any upcoming projects or appearances that you can tell us about at the time?

[J. LEWIS] We're close to picking a second single and shootin' another video. After doin' one video I really wanna get back in and do another one. That was my first video and I can't wait to do another.

FOR MORE ON J. LEWIS VISIT :
MYSPACE / WEBSITE / TWITTER

BEYONCE PREPARES TO RELEASE VIDEO FOR "WHY DON'T YOU LOVE ME"

We all knew promises of a vacation were a lie! Our favorite work-a-holic recently shot a video for "Why Don't You Love Me" a hot single taken from the Platinum edition of I Am...Sasha Fierce.  The single was written by little sis Solange Knowles and produced by The Bamaz.

I got a chance to interview The Bamaz earlier this year.  CLICK HERE to read the interview in case you missed it-  

EVENT COVERAGE|→ 2010 WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENTS' ASSOCIATION DINNER

The White House Correspondents' Association dinner went down over the weekend in Washington, DC. The annual dinner featured comedian Jay Leno and was attended by President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. 

Kim Kardashian, Common, and a suave Adrian Grenier (Entourage) all hit the red carpet wearing black and white. 

Jessica Simpson and Gabourey Sidibe smiled for the photos at the TIME/CNN/People/Fortune 2010 dinner pre-party.  Is it just me or is Gabby losing weight?  

Omar Epps + Marlon Wayans 

imagery| Getty

BREAKING NEWS: CAR BOMB IN TIMES SQUARE MALFUNCTIONS

According to the Associated Press,

"Police found an "amateurish" but potentially powerful bomb that apparently began to detonate but did not explode in a smoking sport utility vehicle in Times Square, authorities said Sunday.

Thousands of tourists were cleared from the streets for 10 hours after two vendors alerted police to the suspicious vehicle, which contained three propane tanks, fireworks, two filled 5-gallon gasoline containers, and two clocks with batteries, electrical wire and other components, Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said.

"We avoided what we could have been a very deadly event," Mayor Michael Bloomberg said. "It certainly could have exploded and had a pretty big fire and a decent amount of explosive impact."

The bomb appeared to be starting to detonate but malfunctioned, top police spokesman Paul Browne said Sunday."

This is just a reminder that acts of terrorism are closer than we can ever imagine. I am just thankful that no one was harmed and that the bomb malfunctioned. 

THE PRETTIEST PEOPLE DO THE UGLIEST THINGS

Victoria's Secret model and Celebrity Apprentice contestant Selita Ebanks USUALLY has it going on when she steps out in front of the camera. I'm not sure what possessed her to dust off one of Star Jones' left-over wigs when she played host for a party in Vegas this weekend.  *kanye shrug* 

Meanwhile, Kelly Rowland's wig was in FULL BLOOM when she attended make-up artist Scott Barnes' book launch in Florida. Kelly i loves you, but you MUST throw this wig in the dumpster immediately.  

imagery| wireimage