Eminem Opens Up About Drug Addiction

It seems Eminem’s new CD “Relapse” comes from his personal history. The rapper talks about his own battles with drug addiction in the upcoming issue of “Vibe” magazine. Em admits he “almost died” after overdosing on methadone, and notes that at one point he was taking between ten to 20 Vicodin per day. The rapper adds, quote, “Now that I understand that I’m an addict, I definitely have compassion for my mother. I get it.” Em says he’s been sober for a year now. His newfound sobriety has him feeling like “a little kid” when it comes to his music. He notes that in his early days, rap was his “drug,” but at some point it stopped making him “high,” which resulted in his turn to prescription pills. Em says that now, quote, “rap’s getting me high again.” The issue of “Vibe,” which features Eminem on the cover, hits newsstands May 19th. Eminem’s “Relapse” is the rapper’s first CD in five years. It also hits stores on May 19th. Currently, three tracks from the album are available on iTunes — “Crack a Bottle,” “We Made You” and “3AM.” A new song, titled “Old Time’s Sake,” will be released on iTunes Tuesday.

     Jennifer Hudson Cancels Concerts Following Throat Condition

Singer Jennifer Hudson has been forced to cancel some concert stops on her co-headlining tour with Robin Thicke this week due to a throat condition. E! Online reports the GRAMMY winner is being treated by doctors after falling ill over the weekend. The condition is said to be related to her singing. Hudson last performed at Los Angeles’ Nokia Theatre on Saturday night but managed to hide any signs of throat pain. The show cancelations this week could include venues in Dallas, Houston, Phoenix and Miloxi, Mississippi. Sunday night’s concert in Oakland California has already been rescheduled to take place on May 19th. 

                        Lil’ Kim’s “Dancing” Days Are Over

Lil’ Kim is no longer competing on ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars.” The rapper was given the boot on last night’s episode, after being in the bottom two with rodeo star Ty Murray. Kim got a chance to say goodbye before giving her final dance. Lil’ Kim had been a contender throughout her run on “Dancing With the Stars.” She earned this season’s first ten, and even topped the judges’ scoreboard on several occasions. The rapper’s departure leaves Murray, actor Gilles [[zheel]] Marini, Olypmic gymnast Shawn Johnson and “Bachelor” reject Melissa Rycroft as the final four. The remaining contestants will perform again on the next “Dancing With the Stars,” airing on ABC Monday at 8:00 p.m. Eastern.

Jennifer Hudson Resets Several Concert Dates Due To Illness

Jennifer Hudson is rescheduling some shows due to a previously announced throat condition. According to “Access Hollywood,” Hudson has so far set three new dates for her concerts during her current co-headlining tour with R&B singer Robin Thicke. She was set to perform in Dallas, Texas on May 7th but that show will now take place on the 16th. The May 8th Houston stop has been moved to May 17th and her May 3rd show that was supposed to take place in Oakland, California has been rescheduled for May 19th. Hudson also cancelled her performance at Dodge Theater in Phoenix, Arizona last night. A new date for that show has yet to be announced. The singer is resting her voice, following doctors orders

     50 Cent Changes “Before I Self Destruct” With Dre’s Help

What 50 Cent originally planned for his new album and what the public will eventually hear are two different things. The rapper told MTV.com that he made a lot of changes to his long-awaited CD “Before I Self Destruct” after working with Dr. Dre in the studio. Fifty admitted what he has now is, quote, “about 30 percent of what I had when I felt like I was finished.” He cited the fact that many of the tracks were recorded a while ago. Fifty added, quote, “I’ve been playing it for myself for so long, I’m no longer as excited as I was when I wrote it for the first time.” The rapper’s “Before I Self Destruct” was originally slated to hit stores last December. However, it was pushed back so Dr. Dre could wrap up work on Eminem’s CD “Relapse,” which will be released May 19th. Fifty Cent has yet to issue a new release date for “Before I Self Destruct.”

ESSENCE.com is reporting the J-Hud Is about to have a-little one… WOW

Internet rumors have been circulating that Jennifer Hudson is pregnant. While her manager and publicist deny the rumors, two sources close to the Oscar and Grammy winner confirm exclusively to ESSENCE.com that she is indeed expecting. This would be the first child for Hudson.

Hudson, who is currently receiving rave reviews while on tour with Robin Thicke, is engaged to David Otunga, a Harvard Law graduate and former contestant on “I Love New York 2.” The couple plans to marry sometime soon, but hasn’t confirmed a wedding date.

Tragedy struck the singer last October when her mother, brother and nephew were murdered. Hudson made a triumphant return to the spotlight on February 1 when she sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the Super Bowl. She went on to win her first Grammy Award for best R&B album on February 8.

Hudson is on tour through May 8. Her next show is April 23 at the Fox Theatre in St. Louis, Missouri.

Jennifer Hudson says she’s “in a good place” right now. In her first interview since the tragic murders of her mother, brother and nephew last October, the Oscar, and now Grammy winner, spoke briefly to Oprah Winfrey on Winfrey’s talk show Friday about her recent return to the spotlight. No mention of the tragedy was made during the interview, but Hudson said that getting back to work was like “therapy” for her, adding that she prayed everyday. Hudson also performed her latest single “If This Isn’t Love” from her Grammy winning album. The 27-year-old singer said she was looking forward to her tour with R&B singer Robin Thicke, beginning March 31st. She also weighed in on what it was like to perform the National Anthem at the Super Bowl on February 1st and winning her first Grammy, which was presented to her by one of her music idols, Whitney Houston, on February 8th. The one-time “American Idol” finalist also shared that she has three dogs named Oscar, Grammy, and Dreamgirl. Hudson won an Oscar two years ago for her role in the movie-musical “Dreamgirls.” The pics from my boy Derek Blanks… I wish he would look out for his boy… Hint Hint