Beyonce Opens Up Beauty School In NY: "Beyonce Cosmetology Center" [Photos Included]

On Friday, Beyonce spoke in downtown Brooklyn, New York, at the Phoenix House, a nonprofit rehabilitation center for drug and alcohol addiction, unveiling a project she and her mother, Tina, have worked on for years: the Beyonce Cosmetology Center.

The program is a “seven month cosmetology training course for adult men and women,” according to the press release. L’Oreal donated all of the products to be used at the facility. Beyonce is a spokewoman for the brand, and she and her mother have pledged to donate $100,000 annually to the center.

(Lol, is it me or Bloomberg looks scared to touch Bey here? He's either scarred of Jay-Z or his wife hahha)

After remarks from New York’s mayor, Michael Bloomberg, Beyonce spoke at the podium about her ties to the foundation and hopes for it’s future. She first visited the Phoenix House in 2007 on preparation for her role as Etta James in Cadillac Records.

Phoenix House does provide co-ed vocational work, but Beyonce stated that she

“felt that they needed something that was geared towards women — something that would teach them skills that would give them hope even after the Phoenix House,"

she explained.

Another influence for the Knowles women to open the beauty school is because of their background in cosmetology. Her mother owned and operated a beauty salon
in her hometown of Houston, Texas.

"I saw that a salon was a place for women to socialize, share stories, cry, laugh and get advice,"

she added about her experiences growing up around a beauty parlor.

"Most importantly, I saw the joy it brought my mother, knowing she was a part of their transformation."

After cutting the ceremonial ribbon
to officially open the facility, Beyonce ended the celebration saying,

"It’s a very proud day for my mother.”

She even cuffs her hand so no one can see under her dress. She's learned it all, and so perfectly done right lol ....We are going to start calling her "Perfect Beyonce" because that's what she is! loll Or at least they make her like that.

PS...I love Beyonce lol

Jay-Z & New York Governor: Queens- Casino Scandal!

Jay-Z's recent investment in the new "racino" project -- a plan to bring slot machines to the old Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, NY -- has come under fire recently. A federal probe is aiming to figure out if the Brooklyn rapper's affiliation with New York Governor David Paterson had any impact on his decision to invest with development company, Aqueduct Entertainment Group (AEG). The company made headlines recently for winning the right to bring gambling to the racetrack, after previously being low on the totem pole of contenders to win the project.

Last summer, Jay and Governor Patterson became chummy, especially after sharing a podium to announce the rapper's 9/11 tribute concert at MSG in August. They developed a friendship, and were even spotted together in the Hamptons. Sources say that a few days after hanging out with the governor, Jay-Z was pushed by AEG's chairman to buy a 7 percent stake in the company, even though he had previously considered teaming up with casino mogul Steve Wynn to participate in the project.

Despite accusations that AEG specifically recruited Jay-Z in order to be in the Mayor's good graces, the company claims that they had no agenda when they signed Hov. "Given [Jay-Z's] super-stardom and his long and deep connection to New York, the partners thought he could bring a unique perspective to shaping a facility that would truly be an entertainment destination," an AEG spokesman said. "The partners were looking to bring in someone who could bring marketing and community advice to the team."

Being from Queens, New York, I used to go to the Aqueduct Racetrack all the time for the "flea market"..I loved that place lol. But it sounds like it would be cool to have a Casino there. Not sure what's going on with all this shadiness but I'll let you know what end up happening here!

Jay-Z & Alicia Keys to Perform At First World Series Game.

Alicia Keys and Jay-Z will perform before Game 1 of the World Series.

The superstars will sing their song "Empire State of Mind" off Jay-Z's album, The Blueprint 3, and then Alicia will sing the national anthem.

Jay-Z said of the performance, "As a die-hard Yankee fan, I’m honored to perform a song that celebrates the greatness of New York in one of our city's most important landmarks, Yankee Stadium."

The New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies will face off in Game 1 at Yankee Stadium in New York City on Wednesday, October 28 at 7:30 p.m. EST on FOX.

Jay-Z & Alicia Keys to Perform at The American Music Awards.

Jay-Z has been added as a performer at American Music Awards this year and confirmed to share stage with Alicia Keys. The rap mogul will deliver his joint track with Alicia, "Empire State of Mind". (Minus the Lil Mama interruption as at the MTV VMAs...smh lol)

"We are thrilled to have Jay-Z and Alicia Keys on stage together for the 2009 American Music Awards," the show's producer Larry Klein told Access Hollywood. "Both are such talented artists, it is sure to be a memorable performance."

2009 AMAs will take place on November 22 at Los Angeles' Nokia Theater. The ceremony will be telecast live as a three-hour primetime special on the ABC Television Network. Beside having Jay-Z and Alicia Keys, the event will also see performances from Black Eyed Peas, Jennifer Lopez and Adam Lambert.

Nominations for the awards have been announced by Adam, Paula Abdul and Snoop Dogg on October 13 at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Led by Taylor Swift with six nods, the list has Jay-Z nominated as one of the contenders for Favorite Male Artist and Favorite Album in Rap/Hip-Hop Music.

Jay-Z and Alicia Keys recently filmed the video for the huge hit and NYC anthem “Empire State of Mind.” The two filmed scenes in Times Square and in Harlem. Check out a few behind the scenes videos after the jump. I'm always blasting this song in the car, it's my own anthem as well! I can’t wait to see the video!

Jay-Z Filming "Empire State of Mind" Video Live in Harlem!

Lil Mama Says She Is Sorry...

Lil Mama's rep issued a statement of apology to MTV News earlier today -- cuz you know, stage-invasion only leads to next-day regret:

"I did not mean any disrespect towards Jay-Z or Alicia Keys," the statement read. "I admire them and look up to them as role models. "Empire State of Mind" had my emotions running high. In that moment I came up onstage to celebrate my two icons singing about NY."

Lil Mama's rep said she may have more to say about the situation later...HMMMM THAT MEANS SHE TRYING TO GET SOME MORE SHINE OF COURSE! LOL

WONDER WHAT JAY SAID...LOL