People: Time for Kanye’s two cents worth
50 Cent may have called out fellow rapper Kanye West, but West isn’t taking the bait.
As you may recall, Fiddy (aka Curtis James Jackson) recently promised to quit his solo career if West’s new album, “Graduation,” outsells his upcoming CD, “Curtis.” Both are due Sept. 11.
Now comes Kanye to say that his “biggest inspiration and biggest competition” is indeed … Justin Timberlake.
“He’s the only other person that gets an across-the-board response and respect level – black radio, white radio,” says West.
“We push each other. I look at me and Justin like Prince and Michael Jackson in their day.”
In a veiled dig at 50’s gangsta-rapper image, West adds that he cares less about record sales than connecting with listeners.
“I feel like my lyrics are, if not the, then equal to, the realest lyrics out,” he says. “I connected with so many people without talkin’ about guns and drugs. … It’s harder to go to work 365 days than shoot a person in one day.”
Besides, he says, “There’s nothing about wearing a pink Polo that would make anyone believe that I would hold a gun.”
A Foxy by any other name …
Rapper Foxy Brown has been busted again, but not because of her temper.
Brown (aka Inga Marchand) was arrested by Mahwah, N.J., police last week for giving a false name and birthdate during a traffic stop – presumably, to hide the fact that her license was suspended.
That came the day after Brown was arraigned for allegedly assaulting a neighbor with her BlackBerry after they argued over Brown’s car stereo being too loud.
Brown is on probation for attacking two Manhattan manicurists in a payment dispute, and faces charges for throwing hair glue at a Florida beauty shop employee.
It’s called “method acting”
Aspiring rapper Kevin Federline (aka the former Mr. Britney Spears) will make a series of guest appearances in the upcoming season of the CW’s “One Tree Hill.”
K-Fed will portray a cocky rock singer.
Fatone’s on a roll
Not only has “American Idol” host Ryan Seacrest been tabbed to host this year’s Emmy Awards, but Joey Fatone of NBC’s “The Singing Bee” will co-host TV Guide Network’s red-carpet coverage with Lisa Rinna.
The former ‘N Sync boy-bander also will co-host arrival coverage for the Academy Awards, Golden Globes and Grammys.
Just frisky, no doubt
As promised, singer Gwen Stefani showed virtually no skin during her show Tuesday in Malaysia after Islamic critics complained that her revealing clothes could corrupt the country’s youth.
“I’ve been in the music industry for 20 years and this is the first time that I’m facing opposition from people who have misunderstood me,” Stefani said, adding: “I’m not a bad girl.”
The birthday bunch
Newsman Morton Dean is 72. Actress Valerie Harper is 67. Actress Cindy Williams (“Laverne and Shirley”) is 60. Country singer Collin Raye is 47. Singer Tori Amos is 44. Rapper Beenie Man is 34.