Sometime around July 7 Janet Jackson (43) and Jermaine Dupri (36) called their relationship quits, and went their separate ways. Sources say:

"His friends are telling people it’s over."

"They have been moving in different directions for a while."

Another source says in regards to Dupri producing several tracks on her last two CDs:

"You shouldn’t mix business with pleasure. Janet felt their lives were too crossed and they should have kept things sepa rate."

The split itself wasn’t made public about right away, because Janet likes to keep personal matters private. Janet kept her nine-year marriage to Rene Elizondo hidden until their 2000 divorce.

The death of someone so close in the family can make a person completely reevaluate their life, and choices. Janet’s family needs her now. We hope Janet will find peace and happiness in the years ahead.

Tameka Raymond, the wife of singer Usher, was hospitalized in Brazil after complications from botched plastic surgery. Publicist Simone Smalls says Raymond:

"is in stable condition after suffering complications from routine surgery in Brazil. Her husband Usher is with her at the hospital."

Tameka must have been getting a very risky procedure if she had to fly all the way to Brazil to get it done, when she should have been with her husband on his big night, or better yet with the kids in Atlanta.

Usher was supposed to be one of the performers at music mogul Clive Davis pre-Grammy party Saturday night, but he had to back out for what Davis called a serious family illness.

Thanks to Tameka, Usher will have to wait a little longer before trying to take the top spot away from Ne-Yo, who also no longer has to worry about Chris Brown.

Just before flying out to be with his sick wife, Usher was in Las Vegas getting a new tattoo on his left forearm at the Starlight Tattoo in the Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino, which was inked by Mario Barth. At his side taking pictures was Jermaine Dupris.

A woman named Ingrid Rivera (24) was murdered at a birthday celebration for Lil Kim, aka Kimberly Jones, in Midtown Manhattan on Sunday.

The woman, identified by the police as Ingrid Rivera of Queens, was discovered shortly before 5 p.m. in a utility closet on the roof of Spotlight Live, a live-music venue, nightclub and karaoke bar at 1604 Broadway near 49th Street. An investigator said they believed Ms. Rivera, who worked for British Airways at Kennedy Airport, had left the party and was beaten with a blunt object, possibly a Champagne bottle, and left for dead.

A club bouncer is said to have been "picking on her," and Rivera was last seen with the bouncer from the club. He is the prime suspect.

Jermaine Dupri had trouble at his party too earlier this month. Someone at Dupri’s party was overcharged for getting into the V.I.P. section, so he pulled out a gun and started shooting. Dupri said at the time:

"I’m sad this incident happened because it interrupted a beautiful and loving party. I’m happy none of my people or friends got hurt. And the party continues."

Back in October 2007 his good friend and fellow rapper Da Brat was arrested for allegedly assaulting a waitress in a nightclub that Dupri owned.

Another incident in 1995 turned deadly when a close friend of Suge Knight was shot and killed following a party Dupri held in Atlanta.

Some celebrity parties attract gangster wannabe types.

Lil Kim’s rep, Ronn Torossian, issued the following statement:

"Lil’ Kim mourns the death of Ms. Rivera. She knew nothing of this incident until she heard media reports."

Trouble attracts trouble. It’s the law of attraction.

Janet Jackson just announced she will be touring with her brothers, including Michael Jackson, in the 2008 Jackson Five world tour. Jackson’s album due to be released in February of 2008 will no doubt ride the wave of publicity surrounding the Jackson Five reununion. Jackson’s new album is being executive produced by Def Jam CEO Antonio "L.A." Reid rather than Jackson’s boyfriend, Island Urban president Jermaine Dupri. Dupri is working on Mariah Carey’s new album, which should be out next spring. Dupri told Billboard in July, "We’re going to make it seem like we’re in competition to see who’s going to have the biggest album of the year." Jackson’s last album was a failure.

Rapper Shawntae Harris, aka Da Brat, (33) was arrested last night at 1:15 am at Jermaine Dupri’s Studio 72 nightclub outside Atlanta. Da Brat got into an "altercation involving pushing" with a waitress. According to witnesses, after the pushing, the waitress walked away, and a short time later. Da Brat picked up a bottle and hit the waitress in the face with it. The waitress (23) had a deep laceration in her cheek from the broke rum bottle, and swelling to her forehead. The waitress had to be taken immediately to the hospital. Da Brat was arrest for felony aggravated assault, and is in the DeKalb County Jail.

In March, 2000, she allegedly pistol-whipped another patron at the Chili Pepper nightclub in Buckhead. According to police, Harris beat the woman for sitting in the VIP lounge and not leaving when Harris’ followers told her to leave. The beating left the victim with a cut on her face that required three stitches.

Harris was charged with felony aggravated assault, but the charge was later reduced to misdemeanor reckless conduct in exchange for a guilty plea. Harris was ordered to serve 80 hours of community service, fined $1,000 and put on probation for 12 months.

It’s a shame. That bottle was recyclable.