Hip-hop mogul Sean “Jay-Z” Carter has invested in a real estate development venture called J Hotels. Carter, along with developers Charles Blaichman, Abram Shnay and his son Scott, reportedly purchased $66 million worth of land and air rights in the Chelsea area of NYC according to the New York Post. Though the actual use of the space has yet to be determined, options being discussed include an art gallery or a high-end hotel.  Carter will be celebrating the opening of his Las Vegas, NV 40/40 Club on Dec. 30. The night before, he'll will perform his CD, American Gangster, in its entirety at The Pearl, a popular Las Vegas venue. Tickets go on sale for the show on Saturday, December 15 at 12 noon. Go to www.ticketmaster.com to purchase.

Hip-hop duo Kidz In The Hall joined Oprah Winfrey and Common in making a public endorsement of presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama. They produced an anthem for his ’08 campaign titled “Work to Do,” and posted a behind the scenes “making of the song” on YouTube.com. Producer DJ Double-O and Chicago-based emcee Naledge have been following Obama’s political career. “I happen to think that Barack Obama embodies everything that is promising for the future of our nation and represents the hope I sought to speak on in the song.” Naledge said in a statement. “Being from Chicago, I have seen his rise to prominence firsthand and I can honestly say that I believe he is the best option for our next president.” He said that the song also has a deeper meaning. “The message at the forefront of this soulful anthem is that no one should settle for less than success, because each one of us has the ability to change this world for the better. 'Work To Do' is not necessarily a song that was meant as a ‘campaign song,’ but more so a philosophy on how to approach life in general.”

Former rapper/superstar actor Will Smith cemented his place in Hollywood, CA Monday (Dec. 10) when he left his hand and footprints in the forecourt of the famed Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. The first rapper ever to be nominated for a Grammy began his thank you speech beatboxing and closed it with a story of a visit with former South African president Nelson Mandela. Smith asked Mandela what he could do to influence the world as Mandela has. Mandela recalled being able to watch the 1967 film “In the Heat of the Night” starring Sidney Poitier while being jailed on Robben Island for his public protest of apartheid. The movie, set in a Mississippi town, addressed American racial issues. “It made him feel like there was a possibility and an energy of change that only art could do,” Smith told the crowd on Hollywood Boulevard. Poitier, Denzel Washington, Samuel L. Jackson, Halle Berry, Queen Latifah and Morgan Freeman are among the nearly 200 other select handprints in front of the theatre.

Legendary soul singer Patti LaBelle was at the Crane Resort in Barbados earlier this month (Dec. 1) to support the Silent Majority Foundation and the Barbados Breast Cancer Foundation. According to NationNews.com, all three of LaBelle’s sisters passed away from breast cancer; her brother did so from colon cancer, and her mother from diabetes – a disease with which LaBelle has also been diagnosed. NationNews.com reports that LaBelle supported the event free of charge. “I have to do these things because it makes so many people happy. I do things for cancer and diabetes and whatever I can do to touch lives,” she said. The evening included a screening of the Emmy-nominated movie LaBelle had a role in, “Why I Wore Lipstick to My Mastectomy” and a surprise performance by the singer of “Wind Beneath My Wings.”