Florida Sentinel Bulletin

NYC’s 98.7 KISS FM‘s 30-year hold on the adult R&B market is coming to an end as the iconic radio station is merging with 107.5 WBLS.

About the merger, WBLS VP/General Manager Deon Levingston says, “WBLS and WRKS have been the voice of the tri-state Black community for 30 years, and we plan to merge the best of both stations to create a stronger voice to deliver the best in R&B music while also super-serving our community.”

Although R&B diva Gladys Knight got eliminated from the ABC-TV mega hit dance competition “Dancing With the Stars” (DWTS) on last Tuesday night, she received a parting gift that should keep a smile on her face and put a stride in her walk, a 60-pound weight loss.

The 67-year-old Motown legend put her best foot forward for an amazing six weeks and was ironically eliminated during Motown week, which featured a live performance by Mr. Smooth himself, the legendary Smokey Robinson.

After nearly twenty years and with 15 films to his credit, producer Will Packer has firmly established himself as one of Hollywood’s most successful businessmen. The co-founder of the Atlanta-based Rainforest Films and a partner in the recently launched BounceTV, Packer has become a member of cinema’s A-list by providing a showcase for various portraits of contemporary Africa American life.

A native of St. Petersburg, FL, Packer decided to pursue a career in films following an internship with veteran filmmaker Warrington Hudlin. Following the success of his first two independent projects, Chocolate City, and Trios, he landed on Hollywood’s radar…and never left.

NEW ORLEANS — Comedian and actor Kevin Hart has been added to the main stage lineup for the 2012 Essence Music Festival in New Orleans.

Organizers say Hart, hot on the heels of his starring role in last weekend’s No. 1 film, “Think Like a Man,” will debut his comedic talents during the festival scheduled for July 6-8 at the Superdome. Hart joins a lineup that includes Aretha Franklin, Mary J. Blige, Charlie Wilson, Ledisi, Fantasia, and Eve.

Rihanna will call London home this summer, as she heads overseas to find the next up-and-coming fashion designer on her new reality show, Sky Living.

The singer told The Sun that she’s “excited” about the project, which, according to mtvUK, has already shot two episodes.

Rihanna is reportedly house-hunting in London ahead of her Sky Living reality TV series, which will see the Bajan babe move to the capital for three months.

In a recent interview, Suge Knight said he had beef with Maybach Music CEO Rick Ross because of the rapper’s decision to put out a track about the late Tupac called ‘Tupac Back.’ The Death Row Records founder explained that he wasn’t too happy about Ross’ choice of associates, although he couldn’t help praising the rapper’s musical talent.

Suge went on to suggest that they could set up an Ultimate Fighting style competition where the loser would be required to permanently shave off their beard, but added that he wasn’t interested in running a publicity stunt as he is not a rapper. Ross has yet to issue a response to Knight’s threats, or accept his challenge to take up Suge’s comments in the ring.

Comedian Kevin Hart had a less than humorous day in court on Wednesday when his ex-wife, Torrei allegedly attempted to assault his attorney, Debra Opri, during the couple’s divorce proceeding hearing at a Los Angeles court.

Although the couple is officially divorced, they were in court finalizing some particulars about their case when, at the conclusion of the hearing, the judge imposed a sanction on Torrei to pay part of her husband’s legal fees.

Reportedly when Torrei heard the judge’s order, she was ready to take it to the streets. When Torrei, Kevin and Opri were outside the courtroom.

Hart, whose much talked-about movie, “Think Like a Man,” opens April 20, received joint custody of his two children and he was also ordered to pay Torrei child support.

Torrei and Hart separated in February 2010 after nearly eight years of marriage citing “irreconcilable differences.”

Concertgoers at Indio, California’s Coachella Valley Music and Arts Annual Festival witnessed a reunion of West Coast hip-hop greats. Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg’s set included some of the rappers’ most popular hits.

Eminem, 50 Cent and Warren G joined them on stage, as well as their late label-mate Tupac Shakur.

Shakur, who has been dead nearly 16 years, was projected on the Coachella stage as a life-like hologram. The rapper’s likeness performed alongside Snoop Dogg, at one point rapping “2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted,” their 1996 collaboration and his “Hail Mary.” The stunt brought mixed reactions from those in attendance.

LOS ANGELES — Bobby Brown has pleaded not guilty to drunken driving and other charges stemming from his arrest last month in Los Angeles.

An attorney entered pleas Monday on Brown’s behalf to misdemeanor counts of DUI, driving with an illegal blood-alcohol content and driving on a suspended license. He could face up to six months in jail if convicted.

Brown didn’t attend the Superior Court arraignment.