JumpinJack AJ

Aunt: Bobbi Kristina is 'doing better' Ann Oldenburg, USA TODAY 7:13 a.m. EST February 12, 2015 Bobbi Kristina Brown remained in a medically-induced coma on the third anniversary of her mother, Whitney Houston's death. VPC "I was very numb when I saw her," says Leolah Brown, Bobbi Kristina Brown's aunt, in a sit-down interview with Atlanta's Fox 5 TV station. Leolah, speaking on Tuesday afternoon to Fox 5's Aungelique Proctor, recalled how hard it was to see her niece when she first went to the hospital. And it has been a difficult time for the family as they stay gathered around Bobbi Kristina in Emory University Hospital. Bobbi Kristina has been on a ventilator since Jan. 31, when she was found face down in a bathtub. "It's been very, very painful for everybody. Mainly Bobby, because that's his baby," she said of her brother, Bobby Brown. Leolah went on to say she's "hopeful' about Krissi's health. "There are so many signs showing us that she will be OK. Krissi is fine." She is still on life support, but is she Improving? "Yes, ma'am," answered Leolah. "She's opening her eyes. Krissi is doing well right now. She is." She wouldn't comment on reports that there are injuries to Bobbi Kristina's face. But Leolah also took a few minutes to talk about how she felt Nick Gordon, whom Krissi has said is her husband, has not been a good influence. Why? "I have my reasons," said Leolah. She added that she believes he will be charged in the criminal investigation surrounding what led to the 911 call for Krissi. "Oh yes, 110 percent. ... I HOPE that he will be charged ... Soon." Leolah also said she "didn't know Nick," despite the fact that she lived for a time with Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown when Krissi was little and there have been reports that he was like an adopted son. "I never saw Nick." She adds that they are "not married. No, ma'am." Nick Gordon has not addressed any reports. One thing Leolah wants people to know for sure: "Krissi would never do anything to herself. Everybody in the family knows that. There's no doubt in my mind. Krissi loved life too much!." As for tension at the hospital, Leolah said, "There's no tension between Browns and Houstons. Everybody's trying to stay strong and deal with this." She added, "Bobby wants Krissi to rest. ... She needs to heal." Leolah said there's no truth to the idea that today would be the day Krissi is taken off the ventilator because it's the day that her mom died three years ago. Bobby Brown's attorney blasts 'false' speculations that Bobbi Kristina Brown's family may take her off life support Wednesday, the third anniversary of Whitney Houston's death. Police now confirm there's a criminal investigation into what happened. VPC "No," she said, adding, "Bobby's calling the shots." She urged that the "negativity" stop surrounding the family and Bobbi Kristina. "She is doing better. So let's be hopeful. ... I'm asking people to pray." At the same time, another family member, cousin Shayne Brown, also sounds hopeful about Krissi. "She's progressing," Shayne tells ET's David Begnaud. "She's getting better. We just ask for people to continue to pray." http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2015/02/11/bobbi-kristina-browns-aunt-leolah-shes-improving-doing-well/23221847/

This post is ultimately more about life than it is film, so that's why I'm dropping it here. I love what he has to say in this.... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Will Smith Calls ‘After Earth’ the ‘Most Painful Failure’ of His Career Sony Pictures February 12, 2015 | 05:33PM PT Lisa Schulz Will Smith has opened up about “After Earth,” the 2013 sci-fi film in which his son Jaden Smith also starred, calling it the “most painful failure” of his career. The comment, in an interview with Esquire, came after the reporter referenced a “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” quote from Smith’s TV aunt, who advised his character on an episode, “Don’t let success go to your head and success go to your heart.” “That was a valuable lesson for me a few years ago with ‘After Earth,'” Smith said. “That was the most painful failure in my career.” The Sony/Columbia pic, directed by M. Night Shyamalan, made $27 million on opening weekend and grossed a global $243 million on a reported production budget of $130 million. In comparison, in 2008, “Hancock,” the Smith-starring fantasy drama from Sony/Columbia, raked in $624 million globally and made $62 million on opening weekend. His rom-com “Hitch” made $368 globally and $43 million on opening weekend. Smith said “Wild Wild West,” a pic that also opened with $27 million, was still a better experience. “Wild Wild West” made a $52 million profit on a reported $170 million production budget, whereas “After Earth” resulted in a $113 million profit. “‘Wild Wild West’ was less painful than ‘After Earth’ because my son was involved in ‘After Earth,’ and I led him into it. That was excruciating,” the 46-year-old said. Then he contemplated the importance of having films that topped box office charts. “I never would have looked at myself in that way. I was a guy who, when I was 15, my girlfriend cheated on me, and I decided that if I was number one, no woman would ever cheat on me. All I have to do is make sure that no one’s ever better than me, and I’ll have the love that my heart yearns for. And I never released that and moved into a mature way of looking at the world and my artistry and love until the failure of ‘After Earth,’ when I had to accept that it’s not a good source of creation.” Smith said when he received box office numbers the following Monday, he was “devastated for about 24 minutes,” and shortly after, he received a call that his father had cancer. “That put it in perspective — viciously.” After a 90-minute treadmill session immediately following the news, Smith had an epiphany. “That Monday started the new phase of my life, a new concept: Only love is going to fill that hole,” Smith said. “You can’t win enough, you can’t have enough money, you can’t succeed enough. There is not enough. The only thing that will ever satiate that existential thirst is love. And I just remember that day I made the shift from wanting to be a winner to wanting to have the most powerful, deep and beautiful relationships I could possibly have.” http://variety.com/2015/film/news/will-smith-after-earth-comment-most-painful-failure-of-his-career-1201432773/

Thanks for posting the interview. I only watched the music part of it, but I'll be going back to watch the whole thing soon. FP is tight lipped about new music, he's never this revealing if he's not almost certain that a new project will be out in the future. I won't back down on my opinion of Kanye though. This voice, flow, delivery, and auto-tuning is horrible. He used to me a mediocre rapper, but his lyrics have lost all heart and soul. His production went from being top notch to trendy and weak. I just don't find redeeming qualities in him as an artist. I guess I'm kinda discouraged that he was hanging out with Calvin Harris too. I never knew about their connection. FP is going to drop new music and I don't wanna hear him over electro pop beats. I kinda hope he just scraps those plans and gets with Jeff.

The timing feels right. He hasn't been this open and convincing about music since L+F, so this is great. When it comes to Kanye, I'm really nervous. Kanye West is a horrible rapper his production hasn't been very good in many years. Some of you will disagree with me, but think Kanye's music is absolute garbage. He doesn't make music that reflects Hip-Hop culture or anything FP stands for as an artist. If this were years ago and we were talking about the Kanye West who produced Through The Wire, All Falls Down, Twista's Slow Jams, Talib Kweli's Get By and I Try, Alicia Keys' remix of "If I Ain't Got You," I'd be all for it. Unfortunately he's no where near that same artist.

I saw it when Ice Cube put it on his Facebook. I love it. It definitely spiked me interest in the film.

MONIE LOVE - It's A Shame Down To Earth (1990)

VH1 just posted an "article" that highlights some of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air's 90's fashion. It's on of those "articles" where you click to the next photo, so it's not a "cut and paste" type article. If you wanna take three minutes to check the pictures, here's the link... http://www.vh1.com/celebrity/2015-02-06/the-fresh-prince-of-bel-air-90s-style/?xrs=MAIN_3pm

Missy Elliott Talks Super Bowl Halftime Performance & Young Thug's Ageism Comments by Christopher Harris posted Friday February 06, 2015 at 09:30AM PST | "I think what me and Tim did, our music was so ahead of its time and it's still ahead of its time and it's not even coming from a cocky or conceited way," Missy says. Missy Elliott called into the Sway in the Morning show yesterday (February 5) to talk about her performance during halftime at the Super Bowl, the recent success of her previously released records and Young Thug's comments in GQ regarding Jay Z being too old to rap. Missy told the radio show host that although she's been performing for over 20 years, leading up to Super Bowl night, she began to suffer from anxiety attacks. To calm her nerves on game day, she "prayed all the way to the stage." "I thank Katy" [Perry, with whom she performed during the Super Bowl halftime show, Missy says within the 16-minute phone call. "She could have picked any artist and it was big for her so, most artists would probably be like let me get somebody that's on the top of the charts and make my joint go even higher. "She said that she was a fan of mine," Elliott continues. That meant a lot...We did a record together and I thought I was going to come out on the record we did together and she said, 'I want you to do your records' and I'm like 'Wow.' She said to me, 'God got you here for a reason." Days after Missy's triumphant return, each of the songs she performed during the halftime show – "Work It", "Get Your Freak On" and "Lose Control" – began to sell more on iTunes and her song streams boosted on Spotify. Additionally, since the "Supa Dupa Fly" rapper hasn't released a studio album in nearly 10 years, many younger fans perceived her to be a new artist. "I've been getting a lot of [tour] offers," Missy told Sway. "I'm trying to figure out what I'm going to do next." When Young Thug's recent GQ comments came up in conversation, Missy recalled making "timeless" music with Timbaland. "I think what me and Tim did, our music was so ahead of its time and its still ahead of its time and its not even coming from a cocky or conceited way, I look at Tim and say, 'What were you on? What were we on? Musically, It can't be duplicated," she says. "Those records are timeless, now when you play them it don't sound dated." "Talent is talent and it's timeless," she adds. "That's just my take on it." http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.32434/title.missy-elliott-talks-super-bowl-halftime-performance-young-thugs-ageism-comments

This isn't "news" to anyone who's been into Hip-Hop since the 90's. Before 2Pac was killed, he often talked about the One Nation project. Rolling Stone magazine, only keeping one toe in the world of Hip-Hop just published an article on it because of a letter that was found. Here's the link to the article, which has a picture of 2Pac's hand written letter: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/tupac-outkast-album-newly-unearthed-letter-reveals-planned-collaboration-20150206

For some reason I can't cut and paste the content of these article, but hears an article from AOL giving their performance crazy praise...but most importantly, showing love to FP's own music. While I wish the focus was shifted to his music by a more serious outlet, this may be just what we need to get FP in the studio. He's always more happy to do it when he feels the demand. http://www.aol.com/article/2015/02/06/jimmy-fallon-and-will-smith-rap-beatbox-to-it-takes-two/21139848/?cps=gravity_1967_7988738939289522433

Janet may be bitter and have some issues, but I'm not feeling the hate for her. She's educated, crazy talented, and versatile. Those are attractive qualities to me. We are just so aware of her issues with FP that it's hard to see her in that light. Plus they ranked her with these younger women. If I did my own list, it would be something likeTyra or Tatyana at the top, followed closely by Vanessa, Karyn, Naya, Nia, Tisha, Stacy, Naomi, and Janet.

I listen to the album A LOT. I couldn't be more happier with it. This is the sound I've been craving and the kind of lyrics I've been waiting to hear for awhile.

I watched this earlier today. It's not much, but I love it. He's so connected to music. He doesn't do it for the money, so why aren't we hearing anything new? Why does it seem like he's time with Jeff is getting bumped for more acting? Anyway, here's an article on it. If you click the link, you'll find an additional video with part of their interview. Actually reading the article is worthless, as they mostly just quote the videos. It nice reading the being of it that says "It's been 10 years since Will Smith released an album - and that's 10 years too long!" http://www.eonline.com/news/622544/will-smith-and-jimmy-fallon-beatbox-it-takes-two?cmpid=sn-111021-facebook-na-eonline Will Smith and Jimmy Fallon Beatbox "It Takes Two" by Zach Johnson Today 4:40 AM PST It's been 10 years since Will Smith released an album—and that's 10 years too long! The Focus actor appeared on NBC's Tonight Show Thursday and reminded the audience how talented he is as a rapper. "I'm glad you're here," host Jimmy Fallon told him. "We have a lot in common, actually." "We do?" Smith asked. "Yeah," the comedian assured him. "We both love music. We both like rap music. You're a famous rapper. I'm a classically trained beatboxer." Because of their shared interests, Fallon told Smith, "I want to try something fun with you. I got this iPad app...and you record ourselves beatboxing and layer a bunch of parts on top of each other, and then it will loop over and over and we can rap over that." "Oh, like recorded layering?" Smith asked. "Yes! Is that's what it called?" Fallon asked. "Of course. That's what I was going to say." After they beatboxed both separately and together, they began rapping Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock's 1988 classic "It Takes Two." Smith, 46, and Fallon, 40, performed in their seats before taking the stage. Earlier in the show, Fallon asked Smith how his famous family is doing. "Everybody is great. My daughter [Willow Smith] is 14 years old now. A 14-year-old girl is tough because you lose your authority, you know?" he lamented. Offering an example, he said, "About two weeks ago I was very upset with her about something. For other parents out there, this is very important! I need you to listen closely. There's no successful parenting you can do when you have the hiccups, OK? Because I had the hiccups and I was trying to chastise her. And I said, 'Hey, girl! Listen to me when I'm—hiccup—talking to you.' She looked at me like, 'Mmm.' But I tried to double down on it, you know? I was like, 'I'm not one of—hiccup—your little friends.' The hiccups are like God's emergency brakes on your life. Nothing moves forward when you have the hiccups. I tried to ice grill her since talking wasn't working." Yet again, the hiccups detracted from his stern facial expression. "It was just nothing. It was just nothing," Smith reiterated. "It was all tragedy." Smith also argued that "boys are easier" to raise than girls. "Because if they can't win the fist fight, they just do what you say," the Men in Black 3 star said. "But with girls, it's like, 'Whatchu gonna do?'" Do Smith's three children still watch his movies? "They used to see 'em more. Now daddy's not as cool," he said. "I think I'm cool! I think I'm really cool!" "You are cool!" Fallon told him. "Not in my house," Smith admitted. "I'm like the dude that keeps the lights on."

Other than the news that there was a scuffle in the Brown family at a hotel, it looks like we have some positive, but vague good news... _________________________________________ Bobby Brown Speaks Out On Bobbi Kristina: 'She's Good' Bobby Brown Speaks Out On Bobbi Kristina: 'She's Good' The singer's daughter continues to fight for her life in an Atlanta hospital Camille Travis Posted: 02/06/2015 08:30 AM EST It's been widely reported that Bobbi Kristina Brown has been taken off life support and her family has gathered to say their final goodbyes, but a new report from Access Hollywood claims those stories are far from the truth. A source told Access Hollywood that the report of the Houston and Brown families coming to the hospital to say goodbye is "a flat out lie." Bobby Brown's lawyer Christopher Brown released a similar statement Thursday, saying the reports were false. Outlets have also reported Bobbi Kristina is on a ventilator and remains in a coma, but there has never been a confirmation on whether or not she's on life support. Bobby provided a brief update with Access Hollywood on Thursday, saying "She's good." "We're praying," he said of his 21-year-old daughter, who he had with the late Whitney Houston. Bobbi Kristina has been hospitalized since last Saturday after she was found unconscious in a bathtub in her Atlanta-area home. Her family has remained tight-lipped on her condition, but said "she is fighting for her life" in a statement on Monday.

I suppose the "bad news" articles are more accurate than the last one. This new article from VH1 says the family is saying their last goodbyes because there's little that doctors can do. Prayers to the family; especially Bobby Brown. http://www.vh1.com/music/tuner/2015-02-05/bobbi-kristina-browns-family-says-their-final-goodbyes/?xrs=MAIN_2pm

Here's a silly little list by XXL. I agree with the list for the most part...just maybe not the order. Once you click on this link below, you can access the whole list when you click "Next"... http://www.xxlmag.com/eye-candy/2015/02/will-smith-the-fresh-prince-of-bel-air-sexy-girls-nia-long/

I'm amazed at how poorly this story is being covered. I just read an article that said the doctors told her family "she's pretty much never getting better" and that they were just waiting for the family to give up and let her pass. Then I found this article. I can't post it on the board, but it says she's getting better and opened her eyes today. http://www.aol.com/article/2015/02/04/new-details-emerge-on-bobbi-kristina-browns-hospitalization/21138990/?cps=gravity_1967_1587908942920741888

I laughed out loud when I first saw this. The truth is, I don't think Jimmy Fallon is funny at all, but he does some awesome stuff. LOL

Bobbi Kristina Friend Who Rescued Her Allegedly Drugged his GF 2/3/2015 9:16 AM PST BY TMZ STAFF EXCLUSIVE The friend who helped Bobbi Kristina's husband revive her allegedly forcibly drugged his girlfriend weeks before so she wouldn't run away. Max Lomas was arrested January 14th after the girlfriend's family called cops and said they believed he was holding Danyela Bradley against her will and drugging her so she would stay. Cops responded but the girl said she was fine and not being forcibly held. But cops found weed and a gun and arrested him for possession of a firearm during commission of a felony. The felony was for allegedly possessing drugs with intent to distribute. And he was also busted for illegal Xanax. Cops found a stash of drugs, including 5.2 ounces of weed, 2 marijuana grinders, a digital scale and 1,000 Ziploc bags. TMZ broke the story ... Bobbi Kristina's family claims cops told them they found drugs in her house the second time they searched. It's an interesting turn if cops are right and Lomas was dealing drugs. Read more: http://www.tmz.com/2015/02/03/bobbi-kristina-friend-drugged-girlfriend-alleged-drug-dealer/#ixzz3QkkOek8t

It looks like the death "news" is most likely fake. Anyways, here's comments from the victim's daughter... ____________________________________________________________________________ Daughter Of Hit-And-Run Victim Calls Suge Knight A “Cold Hard Murderer” Jan 31st, '15 by C. Vernon Coleman More information is emerging surrounding the recent fatal hit-and-run involving former Death Row Records CEO Marion “Suge” Knight and it seems to conflict with initial reports about the incident. New witnesses and information are coming forward that would imply Suge intentionally hit the men with his truck, reports DailyMail. According to Lt. John Corina of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department detective’s unit, it, “looks like [suge] drove backwards and struck the victims and drove forwards and struck them again.” People who witnessed the incident also agreed the hit-and-run did not look accidental. “The people we talked to say it looked like it was an intentional act,” he added. Despite initial reports that Suge and the victim Terry Carter, 55, were friends, Carter’s daughter, Meredith, is denying those claims and saying this incident was nothing short of a killing. “This is cold murder,” said Carter. “[suge] is a cold hard murderer, and my dad was a victim. [suge] is the most evil person in the world.” In addition, Dr. Dre is claiming he never asked Suge to come to the set to make amends as claimed by Knight, according to TMZ. As previously reported, Suge alleges he initially went to the promotional shoot for Straight Outta Compton after getting word that Dr. was on hand and wanted to squash their long-standing beef. According to witnesses, when Suge arrived an altercation ensued with two staff members. Knight then jumped in his red truck to flee the scene and struck two individuals, Carter and actor Cle “Bone” Sloan, as he made his exit. Sloan suffered non-life threatening injuries. Knight eventually turned himself in to the West Hollywood police station later that night. He is being held in a downtown L.A. jail. His bail is set at $2 million. http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2015/01/new-reports-says-suge-knight-hit-run-accident/

An update... ________________________________________________________________________________ Bobbi Kristina's Hospitalization: What We Know So Far By Jocelyn Vena | January 31, 2015 7:52 PM EST Bobbi Kristina Brown attends "The Houstons: On Our Own" series premiere party at the Tribeca Grand Hotel on October 22, 2012 in New York City. Shareif Ziyadat/FilmMagic On Jan. 31, Bobbi Kristina Brown, daughter of Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown, was reportedly rushed to a hospital after being found unconscious in her home in Roswell, Ga. The 21-year-old was discovered in her bathtub by her husband, Nick Gordon, as well as a friend, police confirmed Saturday. After she was discovered, authorities "took over life-saving measures until an ambulance arrived," the Roswell Police wrote on Facebook. She was later revived and taken to North Fulton Hospital. In the hours since the news first broke of her hospitalization, several conflicting reports have surfaced about her condition. While multiple sites, including Gossip Cop and TMZ, were reporting that she had been placed in a medically induced coma, Billboard couldn't confirm the report. Meanwhile NBC's Jeff Rossen reported that "she's very stable, doing very well...her mother's death anniversary is coming up, so it's a very hard time for her," after speaking to her cousin. TMZ further reported that after the incident a search warrant had been issued, but police found no drugs at the residence. In an odd coincidence, Houston was found dead in a bathtub on Feb. 11, 2012. Her death was caused by accidental drowning, heart disease and the effects of cocaine use. Her cousin, YF Kennedy, spoke to E! News about Brown, sharing that as of press time the family wasn't aware of why she was found unresponsive. "Krissi doesn't do drugs," he said. "She hasn't been drinking or doing drugs and she's cut down on cigarettes. She's been trying to get her music together and keep her voice clean. Her voice is so beautiful." He also opened up about Brown's emotional state as she approaches her mother's anniversary, which comes weeks after Lifetime aired a biopic about her, Whitney. "She's still been going through the grieving stages but is trying to keep her spirits up," he said. "She's been going to the gym every day with her husband and trying to be happy. She swims a lot.. It's a rough time lately with the anniversary," he continued. "So this is a blow to the family." Shortly after the news broke, Associated Press reports that on Jan.23 authorities had been called to the home on a report of a fight. However no one was there when officers arrived at the residence. http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6458163/bobbi-kristina-hospitlization-what-we-know-so-far?facebook_20150131

Okay....there's already conflicting info... ------------------------------------------------------------------ Los Angeles – According to sources, rap mogul Suge Knight was released from West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station where he was held about two hours ago just after posting bail. Suge was arrested earlier today on murder charges in a fatal hit-and-run in Los Angeles after intentionally running over two men with his pick up truck, killing old time friend Terry Carter. Sources tell us Suge posted the $2 million dollar bail he was held on, but it seems as his freedom didn’t last very long. Suge Knight was found dead approximately an hour ago on a road in the East Los Angeles area. Police found him laying on the road with three bullet wounds — one to the chest and two in the head. He was pronounced dead on the scene. No suspect has been arrested yet in connection with the homicide. More details to come as they become available. http://infossip.com/breaking-rap-mogul-suge-knight-found-dead/

WHOA!! Just saw this on TMZ! It is being reported that Death Row Records C.E.O. Marion "Suge" Knight was murdered in the jail where he was being held for murder. Investigators say Knight's cell mate DeAntwan Pardin, 29, stabbed Knight to death with a hidden pocket knife. Although authorities are not sure what caused Pardin to murder Knight, it is believed Knight’s gang affiliation and rap personality might have played a role. http://tmznews.mobi/rap-mogul-marion-suge-knight-found-dead-in-his-cell

Bobbi Kristina, Daughter Of Whitney Houston, Found Unresponsive In Bathtub Jan 31, 2015By The Yolanda Adams Morning Show Bobbi Kristina, Whitney Houston’s daughter and only child was found unresponsive in a bathtub by her husband Nicki Gordon and a friend in Atlanta this morning. This is especially shocking news, because Whitney Houston’s dead body was discovered in bathtub. Gordon attempted CPR until police arrived on the scene to take over. Bobbi Kristina was been rushed to the hospital and is now stabilized and breathing. No word on this was an accident or suicide attempt, but we will give more details as information about Bobbi Kristina is released. http://theyolandaadamsmorningshow.com/882780/bobbi-kristina-whitney-houston-unresponsive/

The Inside Story of How Mariah Carey and L.A. Reid Reunited (at a Fraction of Her Former $80 Million Deal) By Shirley Halperin and Andrew Hampp | January 30, 2015 11:00 AM EST Illustration by John Ueland Just months shy of the 10-year anniversary of The Emancipation of Mimi, Mariah Carey and Antonio "L.A." Reid are prepping another kind of comeback. According to multiple sources, the 45-year-old singer is returning to Sony Music through Epic Records, where Reid has served as chairman since 2011. A nearly finalized multi-album deal would see Carey's first new material through the label since 1999's Rainbow, beginning with a greatest-hits set to coincide with her upcoming residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Dubbed "#1's," the concert series booked by Creative Artists Agency begins May 6 and will include all 18 of Carey's Billboard Hot 100 chart-toppers, from 1990's "Vision of Love" to 2008's "Touch My Body." (An Epic representative declined to comment.) Although Carey left Sony on tumultuous terms -- she signed a four-album, $80 million deal with EMI's Virgin Records in 2000, eager to distance herself from ex-husband and former Sony Music head Tommy Mottola -- there are plenty of reasons why rejoining makes sense now. Doug Morris, current chairman/CEO of Sony Music, brought Carey to Island Def Jam in 2003 when he was running Universal Music Group. Reid, then head of Island Def Jam, oversaw her Mimi-powered 2005 comeback. Joey Arbagey, a collaborator of Carey's during the making of the six-times platinum Mimi, is now executive vp A&R at Epic. And of course there is her massive Sony catalog: Carey's seven studio releases, a live EP and four hits packages have sold a combined 43.9 million albums, according to Nielsen Music, including the septuple-platinum Music Box and Daydream. Her output for UMG, which spanned six albums, has sold just 9.7 million by comparison. But while Carey's legacy is undisputed, her recent stumbles have not gone unnoticed. For starters, her thrice-delayed album Me...I Am Mariah…The Elusive Chanteuse through Def Jam failed to deliver a top 10 Hot 100 hit (Miguel duet "#Beautiful" peaked at No. 15 in 2013) and posted her lowest sales to date, with 117,000 sold. She went through a series of managers, too, including longtime collaborator Jermaine Dupri, producer Randy Jackson and former Def Jam executive Kevin Liles, whom she most recently retained as a consultant. According to an insider privy to terms of Carey's new contract, her recent turmoil, which includes a pending divorce from husband of six years Nick Cannon, scared away most other suitors. "Sony's was the only deal on the table, and it came in far lower than she expected." How low? Carey "was asking for a $3 million advance; she didn't get it." (Carey is represented by attorney Donald Passman, who didn't return Billboard's request for comment.) Still, even critics concede that the best place for the diva to try again is with Reid, who's not only of her generation, in that his star rose during the '90s, but has of late been on a hot streak, notching hits by Meghan Trainor (eight weeks at No. 1 on the Hot 100), Bobby Shmurda and Fifth Harmony. Carey also ended 2014 on a positive note, selling out a six-night residency at New York's Beacon Theatre for a series of Christmas concerts that grossed a combined $1.5 million in Billboard Boxscore receipts. That turnout should help build buzz for her upcoming Vegas stint, where she'll follow in the footsteps of Celine Dion, Elton John, Cher, Bette Midler and Shania Twain to become the latest draw to the 4,300-capacity theater. Says Elvis Duran, morning host for New York radio station Z100: "There wasn't tremendous support for her last album, but there is always a run for residencies with a buzz. Mariah and Vegas make tons of sense." This article first appeared in the Feb. 7 issue of Billboard.