::THE SLICE REPORT WITH MONA AUSTIN

Beyonce has severed ties with Music World Entertainment, led by her father, Matthew Knowles.  Mr. Knowles issued the following statement regarding the split: (Houston, TX – March 28, 2011) -- The decision for Beyoncé and Music World Entertainment to part was mutual. We did great things together, and I know that she will continue to conquer new territories in music and entertainment. Currently, I am very focused on the tremendous investment that our  record label  has made in the gospel/inspirational genre of music and on our supremely talented roster of artists, including  Trin-i-tee 5:7 , Brian Courtney Wilson,  Juanita Bynum , Micah Stampley,  Vanessa Bell Armstrong , Pastor Rudy and others. Music World will continue its partnership with Sony with  Destiny's Child  and UK female group From Above, as well as management.  We will also continue to develop the Music World family of labels: Music World Country/Compadre, Music World Kid...

Film icon Elizabeth Taylor has died.   Known for her glamorous looks, bouts of alcoholism and multiple marriages, the film icon passed away of congestive heart failure on March 23. (She was married eight times, twice to the late  actor and co-star Richard Burton.) Starring in such epic films as "Cleopatra," "Cat on A Hot Tin Roof" and "Whose Afraid of Virginia Wolf?,"  Taylor was an enchantress whose mysteriously colored eyes (LA time referred to them as violet colored, but they appeared to be a silvery blue) contributed to her sex symbol status. Although she became reclusive in recent years after waning health, in terms of her style and demeanor, English-born Taylor personified old Hollywood until the end. When she was more active she demonstrated to new Hollywood what being a super star looked like, always poised and dressed up in  public.  Elizabeth Taylor, dead at the age of 79.

Trust, only the hottest of the hot get to perform at Essence Fest and whoever wins this competition gets to do just that.  Essence has R&B veteran Pebbles on board to find the next hottest R&B act. Casting calls for this talent search will be held in Los Angeles, Atlanta and New York. Click here for entry details.

"Glorious," "Mighty God," and "Because Of Who You Are " are just a few of the songs that have made worship leader Martha Munizzi a household name in Gospel music .  The GRAMMY Nominee and Dove and Stellar Award Winner has literally broken down barriers in the genre.  With a slew of Billboard-charting releases under her belt, Munizzi is known for her spirited performances and powerful songs.  She is preparing to add a new release to her discography entitled "Make It Loud" releasing on Tuesday, April 26, 2011 . Recorded live in Orlando, Florida, "Make It Loud" is a culmination of EPIC Worship (Experience A Passionate Intimate Connection with God), a global movement of worship that Martha started in her hometown of Orlando.  As she began to pull together fellow worshipers for EPIC , Munizzi states, "God not only began to put us in the path of great singers, but people who are great worshipers.  All of them were leaders i...

THE ORIGINAL DREAMGIRL - JENNIFER HOLLIDAY AND HER PASTOR - DR. RAPHAEL G. WARNOCK SIGN DISTRIBUTION DEAL WITH NEW DAY CHRISTIAN DISTRIBUTION “GOODNESS & MERCY,” A SONG AND SERMONETTE CD, RELEASES APRIL 19TH   Photo By Corey Reese Jennifer Holliday – The Original Dream Girl and Two-Time Grammy Award winning recording artist, and her pastor, Rev. Raphael G. Warnock (pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta - the spiritual home of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr . ), have collaborated on a new inspirational CD of Warnock’s sermonettes that are seasoned with Holliday’s dynamic vocalizing. The ten-track project entitled, "Goodness and Mercy" (Euphonic Records), releases via Holliday’s own Euphonic Records label on April 19, 2011 with national distribution by New Day Christian Distribution in Nashville, TN. “What an honor and privilege it is to partner with the legendary Ms. Jennifer Holliday,” says New Day’s Director of Artist Relations, ...

Nate Dogg (Nathaniel Hale), long time companion and collaborator of  Snoop Dogg has died. The cause of death is unknown. The Long Beach County bred artist suffered two strokes, one in 2007 and another in 2008.  He passed away at the age of 41.  READ MORE.

Jennifer Hudson sings "it's a new dawn, a new day and I'm feeling good" in a Weight Watchers ad as she shows off a figure that's 80 lbs. lighter than her pre-baby weight.  (Hudson has an 18-month-old son, David II,  with her soon-to-be husband David Otunga ). She has been owning red carpets lately with her curvy new bod, which for some reason we see less of on her on her sophomore CD cover, "I Remember Me." Not sure why her people didn't go with a full length shot, but the lady we love to love looks faaaab-u-lous anyway.  "I Remember Me" will be released on March 22. Meanwhile, she and her fiance are planning to wed some time this year.