Rocker retires early from Canadian tour. Seems Janet Jackson isn’t the only star having tour problems these days. Lenny Kravitz is calling it quits for now in his Canadian appearance schedule, not long after Miss Jackson hung it up in the United States. Like Jackson, popular rocker Kravitz is reportedly dealing with illness. But, unlike Jackson, poor ticket sales don’t appear to be Lenny’s lot. Reports his Web site: “It is with great regret that Lenny Kravitz has had to cancel the remainder of his Canadian tour. Lenny is suffering from severe throat problems that have resulted in him not being able to sing or even talk.” Refunds to the show are being provided.

Djimon Hounsou to voice BET series hero. A Blood Diamond star will voice the role of a Marvel Comics hero for a BET series in 2009. West African-born Djimon Hounsou will portray T’Challa, an African king who doubles as crime-fighting Black Panther. Reginald Hudlin, ex-president of BET Networks, is set to write for the series. Black Panther, comics fans may know, has the distinction of being one of few action characters to go toe-to-toe with the legendary Captain America. He is the husband of X-Men character Storm, who was played by Halle Berry in the live-action film.

President elect heads to the White House.  President-elect Obama and his wife today head to the White House, where he will tour the historic first residence and meet with President Bush. First Lady Laura Bush is to show the next first lady, Michelle Obama, around the White House. Obama and Bush are expected to discuss the nation’s pressing issues. “I’m going to go in there with a sprit of bipartisanship,” he said this weekend. Members of Obama’s team appeared on the Sunday talk shows to discuss the transition. Obama confidant Valerie Jarrett said on NBC’s “Meet The Press” that  the Obama administration “will be inclusive.” Rep. Rohm Emmanuel, on ABC’s “This Week,” echoed the same theme, dismissing Republicans’ concerns that he would take a tough, partisan approach to running the White House as chief of staff. He said Obama will maintain his pledge to govern in a bipartisan manner. 

Don’t expect to see Michael when the Jacksons reunite for a tour next year.  He released a statement Friday saying, “My brothers and sisters have my full love and support, and we’ve certainly shared many great experiences, but at this time I have no plans to record or tour with them.” M.J. is reportedly in the studio developing “new and exciting projects” that he soon hopes to share with his fans.  While Michael may have no intentions to share the state with his brothers, Janet does.  She’s joining her brothers for the tour. Get more at Entertainment Spotlight.

Janet Jackson cancels more shows. 

A doctor has reportedly ordered Janet Jackson to put her “Rock Witchu” tour on hold again on the day that she was to resume her shows in New York. Jackson had canceled a date in Connecticut this past weekend. The performer’s first North American tour in seven years has been plagued by poor ticket sales and Jackson’s undisclosed health challenges – plus whispers that her health is being used as an excuse to avoid the embarrassment of empty arena seats. Jackson was rushed to a Montreal hospital before her show in the city last month, but she was released the next day. The singer has also postponed this week’s concert at Madison Square Garden.  

Could poor sales be what made Janet sick?

Two more shows in Boston and Philadelphia have been cancelled since Janet Jackson missed a Montreal tour date because of a reported illness. Chatter from both the Web and the streets has it that “Miss Jackson, if you’re nasty” is scratching appearances because she’s already performed to plenty of empty arena seats and has been losing cash from poor ticket sales. A Michigan show has been re-scheduled. There’s even speculation that the Montreal cancellation was a stunt Jackson pulled less than an hour before showtime, rather than a true health concern – which, if true, may explain her man Jermaine Dupri’s high-profile partying the same night that she was hospitalized.

Less than three months after being acquitted of child pornography charges, R. Kelly could be headed right back to the courtroom.  According to a South African newspaper, the R&B singer received a busload of cash from a South African woman who’s accused of bilking investors out of $130,000 and depositing the cash into Kelly’s account. Police say Busiswe Zakwe was able to collect the money by promising profits of a nonexistent R. Kelly tour in 2005. However, Kelly says that’s a flat out lie, but the Chicago Tribune reports that authorities have the deposit slip proving the transaction happened. Kelly’s spokesman, Allan Meyer, says his client knows nothing about Zakwe, and he will fully cooperate with authorities who are investigating.

Stalking’s not sexy, but can be inspiring, Terrence Howard says

He once rapped in the movie Hustle & Flow that it was hard out here for a pimp. But Terrence Howard knows from personal experience that it can also be hard for an ex, like it was when he separated from his wife. Howard, whose acclaimed acting will soon be compared with his music, wrote about the experience of stalking the mom of his three children after the couple split up. The song “No. 1 Fan” from his debut CD Shine It Through discusses the experience. “It was raining, and I was sitting there in front of the house, watching her come home from a date after we were divorced,” Howard tells the New York Times. “I was imagining what she did on this date, and watching her giving him a kiss. I went home and wrote this song.” Howard hopes his next big hit will be on the song charts, not in an appearance on “Cops.”

Rapper will tour with Ice Cube

Snoop Dogg will appear in concert in Australia with Ice Cube this fall after a ban against him was lifted. Snoop’s criminal record resulted in his being blocked from entering the continent by Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews last spring. But now he’s set to perform in the country for a 17-day tour beginning Oct. 21. The lift of Snoop’s ban has been met with anger by local activists who wanted the punishment to remain.

Veteran Hollywood actor suffered broken bones. Oscar-winner Morgan Freeman is recovering with a broken shoulder and arm, after losing control of his 1997 Nissan in a weekend accident. Freeman is reportedly in good spirits and expected to make a full recovery after he and his passenger Demaris Meyer had to be cut out of the vehicle that veered off of Highway 32 near Ruleville, Miss. and flipped several times, according to police. Bill Luckett, a friend and co-owner of Freeman’s Madidi restaurant in Mississippi, says the actor was sitting up and talking when Luckett visited him at Regional Medical Center in Memphis on Monday. Meyer, whose relationship to Freeman is unknown, is also reportedly in good condition. Freeman’s latest performance can be seen in the hit Batman film, The Dark Knight. Read more here.

Snoop “Dizzle’s” tags were current when weed was found. A lawyer for rapper Snoop Dogg says his tour bus was stopped illegally last week when two pounds of marijuana were allegedly found on board. Two of Snoop’s entourage were charged with possession after officers pulled the vehicle over, allegedly for expired tags. But Snoop’s attorney says the tags were current. The drug charges could be dismissed if it’s found that there was no cause for cops to stop the bus, initially. Snoop’s wife Shanté Broadus avoided drunk driving charges recently after it was found that officers lacked evidence against her.

So So Def’s Digital Darling

Jermaine Dupri’shot new artist, Dondria, talks about her new release and signing with J.D. Here are the details.

Lil Kim Spotted Riding Shotgun

The Notorious K.I.M was seen hanging tight with rapper Yung Joc in Charlotte, N.C. Here are the details.

Lupe Hits The Road

Lupe teams with Coca-Cola for a five-city tour. Get the details and see the exclustive BET interview at Music News.