The Jackson family, minus Jermaine and Michael Jackson, who was rumored to be attending, but clearly absent, reunited Thursday night (Sept 4) in L.A. as the family was honored by songwriting publishers BMI for their contribution to music. Janet Jackson was on hand to present the award to her brothers Randy, Marlon, Jackie, and Tito.

Before the show, held at the Wilshire Theater, the foursome spoke to the BoomBox about the accolade. "We're very happy, very proud of this moment today," Jackie said. As part of the night's several acts, including Mario, Keri Hilson, and O.N.E. Asked about artists carrying on the Jackson 5 classic sound, Marlon said, "I hear it all the time on the radio, so that's a great thing to feel that we have so many artists today that enjoyed that music. That is the thread carried unto their musical abilities."

Among those performing for the group was pop singer JoJo, who teamed with R&B crooner Lloyd for 'I'll be There.' Before taking the stage the singer admitted the thought of singing one of the group's biggest hits in front of the family prompted some anxious moments. "It's really nerve wracking, it's not something to be taken lightly. I know their dedication, their work ethic, and how much they put into each performance, so I'm gonna do my best," she told the Boombox.

For many of the attendees the night was an occasion to be a fan. "I just got through meeting Jackie, Tito, and Randy and Jackie turned around and touched my shoulder again," Gnarls Barkley voice Cee-Lo told the Boombox. "That was kind of cool so hopefully I'll get a chance to bump back into them and talk to them a little bit longer. But this is their night, I'm just a fan, and I'm just wanting to be a part of it."

Ciara is pumping up the sexy in preparation for her upcoming release, 'Fantasy Ride,' which is due in December. The songstress posed in nothing but a pair of high heels for the October issue of Vibe magazine. Although Ciara's 'goodies' are strategically covered, the singer does bares all as she discusses her relationship with 50 Cent, rumors and fame.

The singer goes on to offer dating advice in the magazine. "You don't have to sell yourself out," she said. "Take your time to get to know somebody before you involve the physical aspect ... it's just not the way to start off. It creates confusion." The magazine is set to hit newsstands on Sept. 16.

Who: Keith Urban, Natasha Bedingfield and Usher
What: The singers posed for pics at the NFL Kick-Off Concert Press Conference
Where: New York, N.Y.
When: September 3, 2008

Who says you can't have fun in the name of charity? Rappers Bow Wow and The Game are set to have a "friendly" competition tonight in New York City to see who is a better "Madden NFL 09" gamer. The winner will receive $100,000 to go to the charity of their choice.

The event will be sponsored by X-Box and Konsole Kingz and will be held at a secret location. However both artists' friendly trash talk has been very public. "I can't wait to play! I've been waiting, Game's been waiting, the video game world's been waiting," said Bow Wow. "The only bad thing is Game's fans are gonna' have to see him lose."

Undeterred by Bow's comments The Game has every intention of maintaining his self-proclaimed "best Madden player" status. "Bow Wow has no idea what he's started. He's in way over his head. This Friday I will remain the undisputed Madden king," he said.

The Game has been having a good week, with his album debuting at #1 on Billboard's Hip-Hop/R&B charts; but fans will have to stay tuned to see what the outcome of this challenge will be.

Artist: Ashanti
Song: 'Good Good'
Why You Should Watch: The songstress give the BoomBox a behind-the-scenes look for her latest video, which features multi-platinum selling rapper Nelly. Buy 'The Declaration' on iTunes.

Most hip-hop fans consider Tupac Shakur to be one of the greatest rappers of all time, and not just because of his untimely death, but mainly as an acknowledgment that the rap legend created some great music.

According to Blender magazine's tongue-in-cheek 'Most Overrated in Music' list -- featured in their October issue -- Shakur had "insane rock-star charisma," but ultimately was the "most overrated artist of all time." What?! Blender goes on to say that although Pac was a respectable rapper, he "larded records with self-mythologizing, mediocre filler." Note to Blender: Self-mythologizing is a pretty common trait among artists, especially songwriters.

Also overrated (according to Blender), the Grammys, encores, Pink Floyd and "the music you loved as a teenager."

Singer/producer Akon was ordered to stand trial for allegedly throwing a 15-year-old fan offstage during a concert last summer. The 35-year-old singer, born Aliaune Thiam, requested a jury trial after appearing in court with his lawyer Wednesday.

"We are pleased that Judge Epstein adjourned the case to a date certain for either a trial or a negotiated resolution," said his lawyer Andrea Zellan in a statement. "Akon looks forward to putting this incident behind him and in the meantime he will continue to meet every requirement set forth by the court."

This recent case marks the second legal incident for Akon involving a minor. In December he pleaded not guilty to endangering the welfare of a minor and second degree harassment and charges. He is due back in court on Dec. 1 unless a settlement can be negotiated.

It's not everyday that you get to hear Lauryn Hill's deep, soulful voice, so when the unreleased track dubbed 'World is a Hustle' hit the 'net blogs were buzzing and fans were commenting. We're not sure if the track is old or new, but Questlove posted the track as "New Lauryn" on his Twitter page.

Listen to 'World is a Hustle'

A hip-hop icon in Canada, Kardinal Offishall is still looking to break out in the States. The MC performed for Nelson Mandela when he was only 12-years-old, was featured in a Pepsi commercial and won a pair of Juno Awards -- equivalent to a Grammy -- before anyone outside of Toronto knew of the charismatic rapper.

"I performed for Mandela when he was released from prison when he came to Toronto. We rocked it and I was mad young too. We did a full out 10, 15 minute performance for him," Kardinal reminisced.

Now, the MC has teamed up with Akon and signed to the producer/singer's Kon Live record label in an effort to bring his success stateside. So far, with the help of the rapper's first single 'Dangerous,' Kardinal is being well-received and the MC is eager to release his upcoming album, 'Not 4 Sale,' which hit stores on Sept. 9.

"A few years ago I had made a t-shirt and it said "Not For Sale" and it had a bar code underneath, and I just made it because sometimes you get tired of wearing the same old, same old. I had that t-shirt made and we [did] a lot of traveling with it," Kardinal said when explaining the title of his new album. "Everywhere I wore it somebody would freak out about the shirt for a different reason, like there were so many different people around the world that would love it." Buy 'Dangerous' on iTunes.

Artist: Cassie feat. Lil Wayne
Song: 'Official Girl'
Why You Should Watch: Weezy joins the singer, who's clearly easy on the eyes, as she begs for an official status from her current lover in the video for her first single off her forthcoming project. Buy 'Official Girl' on iTunes.