Asa hip-hop fan and journalist I have watched a multitude of unremorseful rappersget incarcerated.

Thisis not to say that I don't think that some of the arrests were unjust because Ido. But in the endless instances of drug charges, acts of violence and evenperjury, I have never seen a hip-hop artist admit to any wrongdoing or acceptany responsibility for their actions that ultimately lead to their sentencing.

Thisalways concerned me because of the message it sends to the young impressionablefans. A message that says someone else was to blame for rapper's decision to carryingan illegal drug, assault someone or lie in court.

T.I.originally seemed to be heading down that same path when he pleaded guilty whencharged with attempting to buy unregistered machine guns and silencers the dayhe was scheduled to perform at the 2007 BET Hip Hop Awards in Atlanta. He posted the $3 million bail andwas sentenced to house arrest. But he reconsidered maintaining his not guiltyplea when he learned that

Daily tabloid reports about Chris Brown and Rihanna'stumultuous relationship, the back story, the domestic dispute that promptedChris to turn himself in to Los Angeles police and talk of reconciliation havedominated the news since the February 8 incident.

But today Oprah takes on the topic in a one hour special onteen dating that will include interviews with youth as well as fellowtelevision host Tyra Banks, who will reveal why she is moved by the topic.

On last Friday's broadcast of Oprah the media mogul made itclear that she did not think Rihanna should continue dating Chris. "If a manhits you once, he will hit you again," she said in an emotional plea to thecamera, the day after Chris received two felony charges for his alleged attackon Rihanna.

The controversy has prompted a wide range of reactions.

The day after Chris turned himself into Los Angeles authorities for questioning andwas released on $50,000 bail, he was dropped from his endorsement deal with Wm.Wrigley Jr. Company,

The Grammy's isn't over yet, but I just watched my favoritepart, the performance of T.I.'s "Swagga Like Us" featuring Kanye West, Jay-Z,Lil' Wayne and the pregnant M.I.A.

"Swagga Like Us" is my favorite song of 2008 and from themoment I heard it I thought it was a great idea to pull the "swagga like us"sample from M.I.A.'s "Paper Planes." M.I.A.'s high-pitched melodic voice, themilitaristic track and rhymes from four of hip-hop's biggest MCs had no chanceof failing.

How appropriate to have the former rapper turnedOscar-nominated actress Queen Latifah introduce the performance and dub themthe Rap Pack, a fitting comparison to the Rat Pack.

Shown through black and white lenses, the set opens with apregnant M.I.A., whose due date is actually today, dressed in arguably the mostinappropriate outfit a performing pregnant mother could ever wear-a black sheerbodysuit with polka dot circles covering her chest, belly and backside. Onegood verse into her hit "Paper Planes" the curtains behind her

It's safe to assume that Beyoncé's portrayal of Etta James in the retro film Cadillac Records did not impress the legendary soul singer.

The 71-year-old pioneer, who rose to fame in 1950s, recently made it clear that she was not a fan of the self-proclaimed diva whose third solo album I Am...Sasha Fierce is the #3 album in the country.

Before performing "At Last" at Seattle's Paramount Theatre last Wednesday, James complained about Beyoncé' singing the song for President Obama and wife Michelle's first dance at the Neighborhood Ball.

"You know that woman he had singing for him, singing my song, she's going to get her a-- whipped," Etta said to a thunderous applause. She went on to add that she could not "stand" Beyoncé'.

Some dismiss James' anger as jealously, saying that she is only upset because she was not invited to perform the song herself.

However, James' anger warrants the asking of a few key questions:

Did anyone from Obama or Beyoncé''s camps contact James beforehand to seek her