Jill Scott Withdraws from Cape Town Jazz Fest

Jill Scott has announced that she will not be able to perform at this year’s Cape Town International Jazz Festival due to a role offer for a movie that begins filming at the end of March. According to mio.co.za, a letter from Scott's management stated: “It was with great regret that we must cancel Jill Scott’s performance on 31 March 2012 at the 13th Annual Cape Town International Jazz Festival. Ms. Scott has been offered and accepted a movie role which begins filming at the end of this month. The rigorous taping will preclude her from travelling during this time and through the end of April.”

Could Spears Join X Factor?

Rumours are circulating that Britney Spears could be one of the new judges on the American version of X Factor. The Hollywood Reporter was first onto the story, claiming that Spears' fiancé, agent Jason Trawick, is negotiating her contact, which could be signed as soon as this week.

However, Simon Cowell is keeping us in suspense. When asked on television program Good Day New York about Spears' potential involvement in the next series, Cowell replied: "You'll have to wait and see. I can't confirm or deny anything right now. The truth is, we are talking to a number of people. It changes on a daily basis to be honest with you."

Katy Perry Offered Megabucks for Brand Book?

Pop superstar Katy Perry has reportedly been offered R14m to write a tell-all book about her time with Russell Brand.  According to entertainmentafrica.com, three publishers are said to be competing for Perry's signature to write the book.

Perry and Brand split in December after 14 months of marriage, and both have maintained a dignified silence since they parted. However, it seems that the publishers are now keen for Perry to open up. A source said: "When everything was going well, Katy couldn't stop talking about him.

"Since the split neither of them have said anything - keeping the price of a deal high."

Weezy to Launch Shoe Range

Always one for attention grabbing outfits, rapper Lil Wayne is developing a signature brand of shoes. Talking to vibe.com, the star said: "It's not a Nike or Reebok, I can tell you that much", also saying that the brand would not his clothing brand, Trukfit, either. "I do have a shoe coming out soon but it won't be Trukfit. I have a shoe with a well-known company. I just don't want to say yet because I haven't dotted the line yet. But it's done."

Spoek Mathambo's New Album to be Released in March

Spoek Mathambo's new album Father Creeper is due for digital release on 12 March and will be available in stores on 19 March. The album will be released in South Africa by Sony Music Africa on license from Sub Pop Records, who Mathambo is signed to. He is the first South African to be signed to the legendary independent label, who launched Nirvana's career.

Adele, Coldplay, Ed Sheeran Win at Brits

Adele, Coldplay and Ed Sheeran were the big winners at the 2012 Brit Awards held last night at London's O2 Arena.

Adele added to her six Grammy awards with awards for British Female Solo Artist and British Album of the Year for her mega-selling album 21, while Coldplay won the award for British Group and Sheeran British Breakthrough Act.

Blur were honoured for their contribution to British music with the Outstanding Contribution to Music award.

American poet and vocalist Jill Scott will be performing at the 13th Cape Town International Jazz Festival, as will hip hop artist Pharoahe Monch. The two will be the biggest stars in the line-up of 41 local and international acts that will perform at the festival, taking place on Friday 30 and Saturday 31 March at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC).

Tickets for the event are R400 for a single day pass and R550 for a two-day pass and are available through Computicket and at Shoprite-Checkers stores.

Chris Brown - Still A Moron

There were a few stars who questioned the decision to honour Chris Brown with the Best R&B Album at this year's Grammy Awards on Saturday, just three years after he beat Rihanna to a pulp. Celebs like Miranda Lambert, Jack Osbourne, Michelle Branch and Eric Stonestreet all expressed dismay that Brown was honoured at the show given his past. Actor Wil Wheaton summed up the unhappiness, tweeting: "Everyone who apparently forgot what Chris Brown did to Rhianna should read the police report on exactly what he did."

However, rather than humbly accepting the (totally valid) criticism, explaining that he had changed and expressing his gratitude at being accepted back into the fold, Brown, typically, chose to behave like the arrogant douchebag he is, responding with the tweet: "HATE ALL U WANT BECUZ I GOT A GRAMMY. Now! That's the ultimate F**K OFF."

What. A. Moron.

Whitney Funeral to Take Place on Saturday

Pop megastar Whitney Houston will be laid to rest on Saturday in a private ceremony at the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark where she first started singing as a child.

According to Billboard, Carolyn Whigham, the owner of the Whigham Funeral Home in Newark, said the service will be by invitation only as the family wished to keep the memorial more personal. Whigham is quoted by Billboard as saying: "They have shared her for 30 some years with the city, with the state, with the world. This is their time now for their farewell. The family thanks all the fans, the friends and the media, but this time is their private time."

Houston was found unconscious in the bathtub of her Beverly Hills Hilton hotel room on Saturday. She was subsequently pronounced dead. Although the results of the toxicology tests will take a few weeks to process, rumours abound that the star died from a mixture of prescription medication and alcohol.

Peter Andre to Quit Show Business?

In news that will send shock waves around the entertainment industry, Peter Andre has said that he "might" quit show business in a couple of years.

Andre is famous for singing some rubbish song that I can't remember and being married to that glamour model with the huge boobs.

According to www.entertainmentafrica.co.za, the no-mark Australian said: "I'm not made for this industry because I'm not thick-skinned. If you put yourself out there, you're going to get battered.

"I take failure hard. It's my downfall. I can say two or three years from now I might walk away."

The world waits anxiously for further developments...oh, wait; no, they don't.

Tallest Man On Earth Tickets Sold Out

Tickets for Swedish singer The Tallest Man On Earth's shows in South Africa have sold out. The singer, real name Kristian Matsson, will be playing at the CTICC in Cape Town on 10 Feb and the Joburg Theatre in Johannesburg on 11 February. Local bands will be opening both shows, with Beatenberg doing the duties in Cape Town and Wrestlerish in Joburg.

Whitney Houston 'Broke'

According to RadarOnline.com, crackhead singer Whitney Houston has whittled away her fortune and is being supported by her record label and loans from friends.

A source told the website: "Whitney's fortune is gone. Music industry heavy hitters are supporting her and her label is fronting her cash against her next album, but no one knows when that will be released... She might be homeless if not for people saving her. She is broke as a joke.

"She called someone to ask for $100. It is so sad. She should have Mariah Carey money, and she's flat broke."

Seal and Heidi Klum to Get Divorced

Superstar couple Seal and Heidi Klum are getting divorced. The singer and the supermodel have been married for seven years and have four children, but their relationship appears now to be over.

According to entertainmentafrica.co.za, Seal said about the split: "The thing that I'm most proud about this great woman who I married, and I really do mean that from the bottom of my heart, is that together she has given me four incredible gifts... four beautiful children.

"She is still, in my opinion, the most wonderful woman in the world. I think our priority was to remain civil and do this thing with dignity. We still very much love each other.

"To say that neither of us were grieving would be an out-and-out lie, and I don't mind telling you that."

Katy Perry to Become a Sim

Katy Perry is teaming up with Electronic Arts, creators of the virtual reality computer game The Sims, to develop a Collector's Edition game with content and exclusives featuring the Perry. According to Billboard, EA plans to create multiple "Sims" games featuring Katy Perry-themed virtual goods and in-game content, with the first game launched being a Collector's Edition of "The Sims 3: Showtime."

In a statement, Perry said: "It's cool to see the Sims' stage performances in 'The Sims 3: Showtime' decked out just like my California Dreams Tour - even my cotton candy video screens are in there! I always like to think of myself as a cartoon, and now I'm a Sim!"

Avicii Coming to SA

Superstar DJ Avicii is heading for our shores. According to entertainmentafrica.com, the Swede will be coming to SA for as-yet-unconfirmed dates. He will be brought here by the promoters responsible for the recent Deadmau5 shows in Joburg, Cape Town and Durban.

Watch this space.

Snoop Dogg Arrested for Cannabis Possession

Rapper Snoop Dogg was arrested for cannabis possession over the weekend, according to TMZ.com. The rapper reportedly had his tour bus searched at a border patrol checkpoint in the Texan town of Sierra Blanca and the police found about half an ounce of the drug, which Snoop admitted was his.

Whilst the veteran MC was released after being issued with a citation for misdemeanor drug possession, if found guilty of the charges he could face up to 180 days in jail.

Beyonce and Jay-Z Have Baby Girl

Superstar couple Beyonce and Jay-Z have expressed their delight at the birth of their daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, who was born on 7 January 2012.

The couple have released a statement saying: "Hello Hello Baby Blue! We are happy to announce the arrival of our beautiful daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, born on Saturday, 7 January 2012. Her birth was emotional and extremely peaceful, we are in heaven. She was delivered naturally at a healthy 3.17 kilograms and it was the best experience of both of our lives. We are thankful to everyone for all your prayers, well wishes, love and support."

Aretha Franklin engaged

Veteran soul star Aretha Franklin, 69, has confirmed that she is engaged to long time friend William "Willie" Wilkerson. In a statement to The Associated Press, the singer said the couple are considering a summer wedding, joking: "No, I'm not pregnant."

Caleb Followill and Lily Aldridge expecting

Caleb Followill and his wife Lily Aldridge have confirmed that she is pregnant. The Kings of Leon singer and Aldridge, who were married last May, confirmed in a statement: "We are thrilled to announce that we are expecting our first child together. We can't wait to meet the new addition to our family."

Caleb's brother and Kings of Leon drummer Jared Followill took to Twitter to celebrate the news. "So excited to be an uncle! Congrats Caleb & Lily!" he tweeted. "If it's a boy, we gonna be hitting da club together every night! If it's a girl....church. (sic)"

Katy Perry and Russell Brand split

Pop star Katy Perry and her comedian husband Russell Brand have split after Brand filed for divorce citing "irreconcilable differences." The pair were married in October 2010, but rumours of trouble in the marriage have been circulating for while now.

While the couple at first denied the rumours, Brand has now released a statement confirming that the pair will get divorced. Brand said: "Sadly, Katy and I are ending our marriage. I'll always adore her and I know we'll remain friends."