Kenny's Top Stories (03-10-09)...David Banner Said WHAT? Look who's on Real Housewives of Atlanta???

Keri Hilson insists she didn't mean to start any mess with her single "Turning Me Off," which many believe takes a swipe at Beyonce and Ciara. Hilson recently told a Chicago radio station, "I didn't want it to come out, because we played it for people when I did it [and] the fact that they brought back names was like, 'Okay that's not the reaction that we need,' that's not what it's supposed to be about." Hilson says the song is about "haters" in general and blames producer Polow Da Don for releasing it after promising he wouldn't.

Ciara has responded, telling the same radio station, "As a woman, my first reaction -- especially in our industry because it's really hard to get in a good, strong, solid place -- it's no need to tear another female down." She added she and Hilson have never had any problems in the past. -- Jamila Daniel

Former Xscape member Kandi Burruss has joined the cast of Bravo's The Real Housewives of Atlanta. Burruss replaces DeShawn Snow, the wife of former N-B-A star Eric Snow. DeShawn recently told Essence-dot-com that she was dropped from the show for being "too human."

Xscape included sisters LaTocha and Tamika Scott, as well as Burruss's best friend Tameka "Tiny" Cottle, who is engaged to T-I. --Chris Morrow

David Banner denies that he'll only use a certain type of woman in his music videos. He tells Essence, "I'd have to say that if more sisters with locks or short naturals showed up to casting then most certainly I'd be the first [to cast them]." Banner is tempering those recent comments he made saying that black women perming their hair is "a clear example of black-on-black crime and media control." Now he says, "The point I was trying to make is that many of our grandparents permed their hair as well as their children's for acceptance in society or even to get a job sometime... I was sharing and explaining the history of relaxing hair. In short, I really don't care what black women do with their hair. I love black women, period." -- Jamila Daniel

DON'T DATE THAT DUDE!!??

No mate will be perfect, but some things you can't overlook. Essence magazine offers tips on whether he's a "Keeper or Clunker."
• He makes less money than me. The measure of a man is the size of his heart, not his wallet. As long as your man's a hard worker, cut him some slack.
• He already has a child. Let time determine how comfortable you are hanging out with his kids. But if his baby mama blows up his phone and tends to have emotional outbursts, she's guaranteed to be worse with you in the picture.
• He has bad credit. Before you drop him, consider why your boyfriend has a less-than-perfect credit score. If he's open to learning better money-management skills, help him. If he's unwilling to change, you're better off without him.
• He has a record. Judge his character, not his past. Did he commit a minor offense? If he committed a major crime or is a current, habitual criminal, you should run.
• He's verbally abusive. Show him the door. This is a deal-breaker.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY


Dedreanna Bradford from Nashville TN is 18
Deub Johnson from Murfreesboro TN is 20
Drew Lytle from Nashville TN is 27
Duvene Brooks from Antioch TN is 27
Amber Dennis from Hermitage TN is 27


Tiffany Vaughn from Nashville TN is 30
Andrea Hicks from Antioch TN is 32
Lenetta Vaughn from Franklin TN is 36
Teresa Nolton from Clarksville TN is 36
Teika Barnett from Antioch TN is 31


Molton Tennyson from Hermitage TN is 40
Cheryl Coleman from Madison TN is 50
Desiree Shelton from Hermitage TN is 40
Andrea Johnson from Nashville TN is 48
Calvin Jordan from is 52