Jay-Z has called on a few of his famous friends for a little help in the name of charity. The rapper and his sneaker partner, Reebok, have asked five celebrities to custom-design a pair of limited-edition women's S. Carter shoes that will be auctioned off. These women are none other than, Beyoncé (of course), Queen Latifah, Fergie from the Black Eyed Peas, model/actress Tyra Banks and actress Joy Bryant. The shoes are being auctioned off via Reebok's RBK Web site and all proceeds will go to the Shawn Carter Scholarship Fund, which awards scholarships to disadvantaged youth and helps them fulfill a dream of going to college.

Congratulations to Mos Def, who on July 15, was nominated for an Emmy in the category of Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie. His nomination is for the inspiring portrayal of Vivien Thomas in the HBO film, Something The Lord Made. Def’s competition in this category is stiff. He is up against Al Pacino, Antonio Banderas, James Brolin and Alan Rickman (also from Something The Lord Made).

Ray-J the sometime singer, sometime actor and full time brother of Brandy, has decided against his plans to partner with CMX Entertainment and will instead sign with Matthew Knowles (Beyonce’s daddy) in the urban division of Sanctuary Records. He has already recorded tracks with Missy Elliott, R. Kelly and Timbaland and is currently working in the studio in Miami with Scott Storch to finish up the album.

Atlantic Records has signed rapper Juvenile formerly of Cash Money Records to a long-term recording contract. Atlantic Co-Chairman/COO Craig Kallman is the man responsible for the deal, which also includes housing Juvenile’s label, UTP at Atlantic. "Signing Juvenile sends a clear message that the new Warner Music Group (Atlantic’s parent company) is committed to being a dominant force in the hip-hop community," WMG U.S. Chairman/CEO Lyor Cohen told the New York Post. Kallman was quoted as saying "Juvenile has long been a signature hip-hop artist, and he now becomes the latest high-profile performer to join Atlantic’s rapidly burgeoning Urban roster."

Alicia Keys is a very busy woman these days. On September 25 she will perform at an international pop music concert at the Great Wall of China’s Ju Yong Cuan North Gate. The event is invitation only and approximately 10,000 people are expected to attend. The event will be taped for broadcast internationally at a later date. Proceeds from the concert will go to the China Children and Teenagers' Fund charity.

Ms. Keys has also been hired to write a regular travel column for the “New York Daily News.” "Writing a travel column is definitely new for me but I love the challenge," Keys told “Billboard Magazine. “Being on a world tour, I have been blessed to see some amazing places. I love the process of writing, so it's exciting to be able to internalize all I've seen and report back to my hometown, New York City.”

Compiled by Connie M. Howell