Faith Evans' book "Keep the Faith: A Memoir" has been released.

I have a copy and I'd recommend that any big Bad Boy fan pick it up. She shares a lot of stories, from her perspective, on the early Bad Boy fans and that whole era. I definitely think fans will find it interesting. I've read a good portion of it and, for the most part, I think it was well done, for what is essentially a tell all book, I suppose.

This book is not an autobiography of Faith Evans. This is a book where Faith tells what she did and saw while she was with Bad Boy, around Diddy and Biggie and everyone in that situation. It starts right around the part where she met Diddy and it ends right around the part where she left Bad Boy. There are tales of her recording her album, of Biggie's infidelity, of the night she spent with 2Pac and much, much more, including drama with Lil' Kim, Mary J. Blige and Missy Elliott.

The 2Pac excerpt will likely garner a lot of attention. While wondering where her own judgement went, she recounts what happened on the infamous night she recorded a hook for 2Pac and what happened afterward. 2Pac had promised her $25,000 and did not pay it. He had her come up to his hotel room to get it, in an effort to get her in bed. She refused, he got angry and claimed that that was what she had wanted. According to Faith, 2Pac never paid her as promised.

She paints Diddy as the demanding, details driven boss that most paint him as, but it comes out as a fair depiction. Someone has to be the boss and it becomes clear that he did a lot for her and offered her a lot of good advice and lessons. She notes, more than once, how she didn't agree with something he did at the time, only to find out later that it was for the best.

There is one particular exchange that may stand out for some. It has to do with the MTV VMAs performance of "I'll Be Missing You." Suffice to say, if Faith had had her way, it never would have happened. Or, at least, she wouldn't have been there. She relays the following telephone conversation:


Of course, she went on to do the performance, as she indicates, which proved to be iconic. There are different ways to take that exchange. I suspect some will take it as Diddy being selfish and I can understand that. But, you have to wonder, if Diddy doesn't shove her back into the spotlight and make her start performing again and make her take part in what ends up being a historic performance - where is she now? I'm not saying she wouldn't still be a successful artist, but again, there are different ways to look at that situation.

As the book nears it's conclusion, she recounts the day she left Bad Boy, what led up to it and how she approached Puff. She asked that he let her go, and he did. The book ends with an epilogue that takes a quick look at where things stand today.

In all, a very interesting read. You have to take it for what it is. It's not the gospel. She's a human being, recounting conversations from as long as fourteen years ago. Memories fade. But, it's an interesting look at how she saw things from that era and remembers them happening. If you are interested in the book, you can buy it on Amazon.com.

The Billboard 200

115. "Metropolis: The Chase Suite (Special Edition)" by Janelle Monae (debut).

Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums

20. "Metropolis: The Chase Suite (Special Edition) by Janelle Monae (debut).
73. "Day26" by Day26 (down from 71).
82. "Welcome to the Dollhouse" by Danity Kane (up from 85).
91. "Greatest Hits" by The Notorious B.I.G. (down from 86).

Pop 100

25. "Damaged" by Danity Kane (down from 19).

Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs

69. "Since You've Been Gone" by Day26 (down from 61).
87. "Lost" by Gorilla Zoe (down from 84).

In his interview with Clizbeats.com, Donnie mentioned that Diddy had asked him to work on his upcoming album.

Singersroom reports that Danity Kane, Day26 and Donnie Klang will be hosting MTV's TRL today (Tuesday). Danity Kane and Donnie Klang will be hosting on Wednesday and Day26 will be hosting on Thursday.

EURweb.com reports:


The cover for the issue is up on the Vibe website and it mentions that there is an interview with Diddy included, as well. It's not clear if this interview is just a general interview or if it is related to Biggie, however.

Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums

71. "Day26" by Day26 (down from 70).
85. "Welcome to the Dollhouse" by Danity Kane (up from 72).
86. "Greatest Hits" by The Notorious B.I.G. (re-entry).

The Billboard Hot 100

45. "Damaged" by Danity Kane (down from 40).

Pop 100

19. "Damaged" by Danity Kane (unchanged).

Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs

61. "Since You've Been Gone" by Day26 (down from 58).
84. "Lost" by Gorilla Zoe (a new high, up from 89).

While a new Dream is in the making, members of the old Dream appear to be getting back together for a new group.

Melissa Schuman's MySpace reveals that Diana Ortiz has joined her and Ashley Poole in Lady Phoenix, a new girl group that will reunite 3 of the original 4 members of Dream. Or, at least, the group that released the first album. Lady Phoenix also features Tiffany Brouwer.

The group's MySpace lists them as "Pop / Blues / Big Beat" and their influences as Ella Fitzgerald, Michael Buble and Peggy Lee.

Back in July, we reported that there would be an auction on October 1 featuring a watch worn by Biggie. More details are now available.

According to the auctioneer's website, the Biggie watch is a yellow gold and stainless steel Rolex with a
diamond bezel. Quite possibly going a little overboard, they call it "his first prized possession."

The auction will also feature a princess and baguette cut diamond and platinum bracelet worn by Diddy, as well as jewelry from a number of other notable artists, including 50 Cent, Lil' Wayne, Jay-Z, Nas, Mary J. Blige and others.

A portion of proceeds will go to a trio of charities: Russell Simmons' Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation, the Hip Hop Summit Action Network and the Diamond Empowerment Fund.

Via Deidre Woollard of Luxist via Nola Weinstein of Fashion Week Daily.

MTV announced today that the premiere of Making the Band 4, season 3, has been moved to August 19 at 9:00 PM ET. On August 13 at 9:00 PM ET, the time slot it was previously scheduled in, MTV will air a special called "Making the Band's Greatest Hits."

This special will feature some of the greatest moments from seasons past and will also preview the upcoming season. It will be hosted by Aubrey from Danity Kane, Donnie Klang and Robert from Day26.

This season, full episode will be added to MTV.com the day after they premiere. MTV.com will also feature exclusive rehearsal and backstage footage from the recent Making the Band tour.

Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums

70. "Day26" by Day26 (down from 64).
72. "Welcome to the Dollhouse" by Danity Kane (up from 75).

The Billboard Hot 100

40. "Damaged" by Danity Kane (down from 31).

Pop 100

19. "Damaged" by Danity Kane (down from 16).

Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs

58. "Since You've Been Gone" by Day26 (down from 57).
89. "Lost" by Gorilla Zoe (a new high, up from 94).