W/C August 22, 2005

Justin Timberlake is launching his own clothing label. He has teamed up with best friend Trace Ayala to create a range of clothes. Justin said: "This clothing is representative of where we come from - it's sort of country, but it's also got a little edge and a little chic to it." The line will be called William Rast after their grandfathers, the clothes will initially only be available in Bloomingdales in New York.

Snoop Dogg is venturing into the world of skateboarding with the launch of the Snoop Dogg Board Company. The collection, which hits stores in January, will offer a complete selection of long and short skateboards, accessories and backpacks. Plus, the line will feature Snoop Dogg luggage and travel bags. Check out the site: www.snoopdoggboardco.com

Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith’s little boy Jaden is following his mum and dad into the movies after signing on to make his big screen debut in new film “The Pursuit o Happiness” He will play the son of Will Smith’s character. The movie follows the exploits of a salesman, who gets custody of his son just as his career as a stockbroker is taking off.

Ben Affleck has signed a £1million deal to be the new face of Lynx deodorant in the UK. The ads featuring Ben will hit British screens next year.

Kanye West will appear in a Spike Lee-directed Pepsi commercial titled "Timeline," which will premiere during Sunday's MTV Video Music Awards. Set to the music of Kanye's "Heard 'Em Say" (featuring Maroon 5's Adam Levine) off Late Registration (due Tuesday), the 30-second spot features K-Wizzy strolling by backdrops of various worldwide cities as his "aura" influences each place he visits.

Violinist Miri Ben-Ari is the newest artist to join Reebok's global " I Am What I Am" multimedia campaign. The sneaker giant will team with Universal Motown Records to produce Miri's music video for "We Gonna Win" (featuring Styles P), the first single from her upcoming CD, The Hip-Hop Violinist (due Sept. 20). Miri and Styles will appear in the clip wearing Rbk-branded clothes.

Mekhi Phifer is set to portray legendary soul crooner Al Green for a Ray-like biopic. The film will tell the life story of the singer, who later became an ordained minister and gospel artist. "I wish them well with everything," says Al, who will get involved with the project once filming begins.

Eminem is involved in yet another lawsuit. The latest one, filed in St. Louis, stems from a seven-vehicle accident on a Missouri highway July 14. The crash allegedly was triggered when one of Em's tour buses swerved into a tractor-trailer driven by Breck Wyngarden, injuring him and his wife. The couple are suing the rapper, his tour bus company and the bus driver for more than $25,000.

Serena Williams has just signed on to be a "guest creator" for Flirt! Cosmetics. "Now I am able to create makeup that works with what is in style," says Serena. Her first line of makeup debuts in February at Kohl's department stores.

John Legend nabbed three nominations for the UK’s Music of Black Origin Awards, which honors hip-hop and R&B artists all over the world. John received mentions for Best R&B Act, Best Video ("Ordinary People") and Best Album (Get Lifted). Snoop Dogg and Mariah Carey both garnered two nods apiece. MOBO trophies will be handed out Sept. 22.

Laurence Fishburne has signed on to star opposite Paul Walker in the thriller “The Death and Life of Bobby Z” for Millennium Films. The story centers on an underachiever (Paul) who makes a deal with a DEA agent (Laurence) to pretend he's surfer/drug dealer Bobby Z in a hostage swap with a Mexican drug kingpin. But when the deal goes bad, the fake Bobby Z goes on the run.

Diddy has been slapped with a $5 million trademark-infringement lawsuit by model Tyson Beckford, who claims that he was never paid for his work in a 2004 Sean John campaign.