(New York, NY) Proving she’s more than just the wife of one of the music industry’s biggest executives, Erica Reid, wife of Antonio “L.A.” Reid, celebrated the release her first book, The Thriving Child, with a party hosted by her husband.

Held at the couple’s private residence, the exclusive event attracted a slew of the couple’s colleagues and celebrity friends including Beyonce Knowles, Jay-Z, Mary J. Blige, Tina Knowles, and Amy Heidemann and Nick Noonan of the pop duo Karmin.

The evening’s festivities were marked by a performance by new singer Kandace Springs, who serenaded the audience with a short set.

The Thriving Child, serves as guide for parenting children through asthma, allergies, and other common challenges. It also serves as a how-to for creating healthier environments for your children.

The mother of two, also enlisted help from expert doctors and first hand stories from other celebrity moms—Holly Robinson-Peete, Ricki Lake, and Melissa Etheridge among them.

The Thriving Child is available online and in bookstores now.

Yes, we know Jay-Z the “best rapper alive” and business mogul, but Jay-Z the game developer? Hov has added yet another slash to his name, with the launch of his own Facebook gaming app, appropriately titled “EMPIRE”

“EMPIRE takes you on a journey from the streets of Marcy Housing in Brooklyn to the hotspots of the rich and famous: from hustler, to entrepreneur, to business mogul. But don’t forget friends and family, or your karma will suffer.”

The game launched April 24, and is available now. Interested in testing it out? Sign up to play here.

When did you fall in love with hip-hop? For the die-hard hip hop lover, this question usually is answered with a very detailed answer. Whether you fell in love with it on the streets of New York in the early 80s, or in a candy-painted whip in the dirty South noughties, Hip-Hop: A Cultural Odyssey is a must have for anyone personally connected to the genre, who is seeking a comprehensive archive.

Released late last year, the 420 page “luxury coffee table book” is filled with the history of the genre from past to present, showcasing the roots, birth, evolution, and global impact of hip hop over the past four decades.

Filled with dynamic photos, original essays and over 150 interviews; the book also features 40 profiles of “game changers” who influenced progression—Kurtis Blow, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Eminem, Run-DMC, Outkast, Queen Latifah, Sean Combs, 50 Cent, Will Smith, Missy Elliott, Native Tongues, LL Cool J, Public Enemy, Tupac, and The Notorious B.I.G among them.

With co-signs from VIBE magazine and The Source, this is book is a must-have essential. ($175, available online at HipHopCultureBook.com)

Jay-Z attends grand re-opening of 40/40 Club

(New York, NY) The grand re-opening of the 40/40 club brought out a slew of notables, including it’s owner Jay-Z. The event marked the rapper and entrepreneur’s first public appearance since the birth of his daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, with his superstar wife, Beyonce.

Guest of the event included, singer, Ashanti; New York radio personalities, K. Foxx and Angie Martinez; Questlove of The Roots; producers, Jahlil Beats, Irv Gotti, and Rico Love; rapper, Wale; professional football player, James Anderson; model, Damaris Lewis; and director, Spike Lee.

The most surprising appearance of the night was that of American billionaire Warren Buffett, who in 2010 shared the cover of Forbes Magazine’s 400 Issue with Jay.

1. Jennifer Hudson Denies Turning Down Precious Role Over Weight
Jennifer Hudson didn’t turn down the lead role in Precious because she would have to gain weight for the part, the actress claims.

Hudson tells TMZ, “I did NOT turn down the role because of the weight thing…I turned it down because I felt it was just too graphic for me at that time. [MORE]

2. The Truth About Black Women and Miscarriages
Jay-Z’s revelation that Beyonce suffered a miscarriage will hopefully allow for more Black women to talk about this issue. [MORE]

3. In Nashville, a Country Club’s Changing Colors
Legendary comedian Grouch Marx once quipped, “I don’t care to belong to a club that accepts people like me as members.” Today, that one-liner takes a more serious turn with a story out of Tennessee, where a country club that is pondering whether or not to let in the Black members. [MORE]

4. First Lady Michelle Obama to Participate in BET Honors 2012
First Lady Michelle Obama will be one of the stars who brighten the annual BET Honors award program, which will air on the network on Feb. 13. The star-studded event, now in its fifth year, honors the outstanding achievements of extraordinary legends in music, literature, entertainment, media, service and education. Acclaimed actress Gabrielle Union will be the evening’s host. [MORE]

For more news and information, visit BET.com/news

It’s safe to say that Beyonce and Jay Z’s newborn, Blue Ivy, will probably be the most stylish baby since Suri Cruise. So, Gucci’s set of infant body-suits is a must have for the young Carter, and any other parents trying to turn their baby’s crib into a scene worthy of the paparazzi—more like a few camera clicks from the family.

All made of cotton jersey, each features a different design print and a collar with silk satin piping. Fashionable, yet functional, these little suits have an opening in the back and bottom—fashion choices have to be easy when you’re changing diapers right? ($450, available online at Gucci.com)

Buying a gift for a die-hard hip hop music lover can be hard, because they typically have EVERYTHING. But this holiday season, things might be a little easier. Enter: Hip-Hop: A Cultural Odyssey, a 420 page “luxury coffee table book” that is filled with the history of the genre from past to present—showcasing the roots, birth, evolution, and global impact of hip hop over the past four decades.

Filled with dynamic photos, original essays and 154 interviews; the book also features 40 profiles of “game changers” who influenced progression—Kurtis Blow, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Eminem, Run-DMC, Outkast, Queen Latifah, Sean Combs, 50 Cent, Will Smith, Missy Elliott, Native Tongues, LL Cool J, Public Enemy, Tupac, and The Notorious B.I.G among them.

With co-signs from VIBE magazine and The Source, this is book is a must-have essential.  ($175, available online at HipHopCultureBook.com)

Ugly Christmas sweaters be damned! This year elevate your yuletide wardrobe with Moncler’s Fair Isle jacquard cardigan ($600, Barneys.com). Considered the go-to brand for winter gear among a slew of male celebrities, including Nas, Pharrell Williams, Kayne West, Jay-Z; this thick cardigan is definitely a must have. This can easily take a simple jeans and t-shirt from zero to ten. If that’s too casual? Wear it over a nice oxford and tie, worn with an easy pair of flat front cotton pants.  If the price scares you, there are more lesser priced alternatives, including DKNY’s marled Fair Isle zip-front cardigan ($69, macys.com) or Converse’s Black Canvas Hooded Fair Isle Pullover ($198, Saks.com).

1. Harlem Nun Sues Disney
Better late than never? Nearly 20 years after Whoopi Goldberg’s divine comedy Sister Act hit theaters, a Harlem area nun (pictured above) is suing Walt Disney Co. and Sony Pictures, who produced the film, claiming the studios stole the idea for the film from her autobiography. [MORE]

2. Oprah Eyes Return to Acting
The former Daytime talk show host is in talks with Lee Daniels, Tyler Perry and Jonathan Demme for potential roles. [MORE]

3. Jay-Z Named GQ “Man of the Year”
GQ magazine has named Jay-Z one of their 2011 Men of the Year, and in a new interview the hip hop mogul and megastar opens up about his pending fatherhood, losing his own father and his platinum-selling collaborative album with Kanye West, Watch the Throne. [MORE]

4. NBA Season in Jeopardy as Players Reject Last Offer
In a move that was widely expected, the NBA Players Association voted down commissioner David Stern’s most recent collective bargaining agreement proposal on Monday. The players also decided to move to disband the union, which paves the way for antitrust lawsuits against the league and puts the entire 2011-12 season in jeopardy. [MORE]

5. Master P to Release New Album Titled “TMZ – Too Many Zeros”
Three years after going on a hiatus from the rapping scene, Master P is planning to return to the mic. The No Limit Records Forever founder/entrepreneur will release a new album titled TMZ – Too Many Zeroes. “I named this new record TMZ Too Many Zeros because it’s true when they say ‘more money… more problems’,” Master P told AllHipHop.com. “I’m on my Donald Trump swag. I could lose it all and get it back in 72 days. Good or bad, when the media is on you that means you are still relevant.” [MORE]

For the latest in news and updates, visit BET.com/News

Kanye West is in the building…and rocking a leather skirt/trouser unit?! If you’ve been lucky enought to attend his Watch The Throne tour alongside Jay-Z, you probably thought the same thing.

The producer (pictured above at the Washington, D.C leg of the tour) has never shied away from exploring sartorially—not to mention rocking womenswear—and this ensemble (who we hear was designed by Ricardo Tisci of the Parisian fashion house, Givenchy) is solid proof. But secretly, we kind of dig it…in a Euro-fashion meets hip-hop type way.