Reports Huffington Post:

Nothing is confirmed and the number feels too high to be believed, but MediaTakeout claims their source is well-placed within Cowell’s camp. For his part, reality TV’s Grinch-in-chief is said to be desperate to breathe new fire into the show.

As soon as news of this week’s ‘Factor’ shakeup broke, the Twitterverse exploded in a smattering of rumors. Over the past few days, Beyonce, Perez Hilton and Mariah Carey have risen to the top of the rumor crop.

Fox’s firing of Paula Abdul is particularly interesting, given that sources are whispering that the longtime “Idol” and “Factor” judge was removed for being too easy on contestants. Given that Hilton has made his new career out of being nice and neither Beyonce nor Mariah Carey are known as particularly acerbic personalities.

All of this is, of course, without mention of the fact that Beyonce and Jay-Z are new parents. While Jay-Z may be content releasing songs about daughter Blue Ivy Carter, Beyonce hasn’t given any indication that she’s either willing or ready to take on such a high profile gig.

Regardless, it’s abundantly clear that the show is going through a major, make-or-break reset. The pressure’s on for Cowell, who walked away from “American Idol” and bet his American TV career on “The X Factor,” poaching Abdul and effectively crippling the nation’s most popular television show.

And now…

This is EbenGregory.com…telling you if it happens, it must be possible.

Reports HipHopDx:

Jay and Bey, who recently had their first child Blue Ivy, jointly place at No. 13. Hov is honored for having the most No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200, in addition to his business ventures, while Beyonce has sold more than 29 million units from solo and Destiny’s Child album sales.

Bryan “Birdman” Williams and Ronald “Slim” Williams, founders of Cash Money Records, rank at No. 25. “We got so much more we need to do,” says Baby. “We dominate rap, but we need to dominate R&B. We need to dominate pop, gospel, country-we’re a brand, so we should be able to put out all these different types of music. We just got to keep grinding.”

And now…

This is EbenGregory.com…telling you in order to obtain and hold power, a man must love it.

Says Gayle to Us Weekly:

“It’s absolutely not true that she’s the godmother. She’s friends with them, of course, and likes them both very much. She’s working on sending them a baby gift. She hasn’t even had time to send a baby gift because she’s been away.”

“Let me just say, if (that report is) true, it is news to her. It is news to her. You know, she was heading to South Africa when the baby was born.”

I see said the blind man. And now…

As you were.

Rhymes With Snitch

Reports Rhymes With Snitch:

Beyoncé is known as a performer, fashion designer, Jay-Z’s missus, and arguably the most famous new mom in the world. But should she also be considered a social change agent?

Kevin Allred, a doctoral student and lecturer in Rutgers’ Department of Women’s and Gender Studies, where he teaches “Politicizing Beyoncé,” thinks so – though, he says, the artist may not be “political” in the traditional sense of the word.

“This isn’t a course about Beyoncé’s political engagement or how many times she performed during President Obama’s inauguration weekend,” he says. Rather, the performer’s music and career are used as lenses to explore American race, gender, and sexual politics. Allred pairs Beyoncé’s music videos and lyrics with readings from the Black feminist canon, including the writings of bell hooks, Alice Walker, and even abolitionist Sojourner Truth.

“Politicizing Beyoncé” emerged from Allred’s four semesters teaching Women’s Studies 101 at Rutgers, during which he and his students, both male and female, often discussed the thin line Beyoncé walks as a sex kitten-cum-girl power role model.

“She certainly pushes boundaries,” Allred says. “While other artists are simply releasing music, she’s creating a grand narrative around her life, her career, and her persona.”

Course topics include the extent of Beyoncé’s control over her own aesthetic, whether her often half-naked body is empowered or stereotypical, and her more racy performances as her alter ego, “Sasha Fierce.” In-class discussions often lead to other vocalists, including Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, Lady Gaga, and contemporary musicians who embrace the soul singing tradition like Adele and the late Amy Winehouse.

That is all.

Reports Rhymes With Snitch:

Beyonce has spoken for the first time since giving birth, revealing husband Jay-Z will be on hand to change their daughter’s nappies.

The Crazy In Love singer, 30, gave birth to the couple’s first child Blue Ivy on January 7 at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.

According to UK Star magazine, she also defended their incredibly tight hospital security, saying it was necessary for the safety of their newborn.

Beyonce said: ‘Nothing can describe the feeling. You have the instant connection once you know your child is growing inside you, but when you hold it for the first time, the words can’t be found.’

The former Destiny’s Child star, who revealed Kelly Rowland cannot wait to babysit, also confirmed that Jay-Z was in the room during the birth.

She said: ‘He would not have missed it for anything. He is a very protective and loyal guy by nature. He is a very protective husband, and since we found out I was pregnant I have seen the protective father in him.

He is not only an inspirational artist, he is an inspirational husband. I know the next step on his journey is going to be being an inspirational father.’

And the Empire State Of Mind star won’t be able to avoid the dirty work either, with Beyonce determined he will be a ‘hands-on’ father.

‘He will change diapers, of course he will. He is going to be a very hands-on father. He has already said publicly that providing isn’t love.

‘Love is being there. Love is doing the little things for your child.’

The RnB pop princess also defended the security, saying: ‘Everybody who we wanted to see her, saw her.

‘Security was very tight, but not just for the sake of it, it was for the security of our daughter’.

However Neil Coulon, 39, of Brooklyn may tell a different story.

He has claimed the stress of his wife Rosalyn delivering two premature girls was trebled when Beyonce’s bodyguards allegedly barred him from the sixth-floor neonatal intensive care unit.

But Beyonce says she will always ‘put her children first’, adding: ‘The key for me is to work everything around your children and not the other way.’

She also stressed life will be ‘normal’ for Blue as they are ‘a normal, loving family’ who just happen to be in the public eye.

‘At home, she’ll be part of a normal, loving family with a loving mom, a loving dad, a loving aunt and loving grandparents, just like any other kid.’

And now…

This is EbenGregory.com…telling you that on another note, children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see. What kind of message are you sending?

Reports This Is 50:

The singer is drawing criticism for the photo that shows her with skin a few shades lighter than she actually is. The singer was also accused of something similar when she appeared in a 2008 ad for Loreal.

“It’s like, Again? Are we here again? I think in a lot of ways shes culpable because there’s history there,” Lincoln Anthony Blades, founder of ThisIsYourConscience.com told the New York Daily News. “She’s not saying explicitly you have to lighten your skin, but it does carry that inherent message.”

The controversial new photo shows a blonde Beyonce reclining on a leopard-print couch wearing a black knit monokini. If her name wasn’t prominently displayed on the picture you might not know it was her. Some argue that her lighter than normal complexion in the picture could be the result of bright lighting.

I see said the blind man. And now…a message from Beyonce.

Reports TMZ:

TMZ has learned, multiple weed dispensaries in Hollywood are cashing in on hip hop’s baby princess … by selling a new strain of marijuana called “OG Blue Ivy.”

Obviously Bee and Hova didn’t sign off on the new strain — but so far, none of the dispensaries have received any sort of legal notice from the couple.

99 problems, but a kush ain’t one.

And now…

This is EbenGregory.com…telling you TMZ be knowing.

Reports Rhymes With Snitch:

A previously un-named species of horse fly whose appearance is dominated by its glamorous golden lower abdomen has been named in honour of American pop diva, Beyoncé – a member of the former group Destiny’s Child, that recorded the 2001 hit single, Bootylicious.

According to the Australian National Insect Collection researcher responsible for officially ‘describing’ the fly as Scaptia (Plinthina) beyonceae, CSIRO’s Bryan Lessard, the fly’s spectacular gold colour makes it the “all time diva of flies”.

“It was the unique dense golden hairs on the fly’s abdomen that led me to name this fly in honour of the performer Beyoncé as well as giving me the chance to demonstrate the fun side of taxonomy – the naming of species,” Mr Lessard said.

“Although often considered a pest, many species of horse fly are extremely important pollinators of many plants,” he said. “Horse flies act like hummingbirds during the day, drinking nectar from their favourite varieties of grevillea, tea trees and eucalypts.”

I see said the blind man. And now…

This is EbenGregory.com…telling you she keeps #winning.

Reports Rhymes With Snitch:

As previously reported, Anna Wintour wrangled a bunch of designers to make merchandise for the Runway to Win initiative, which donates its proceeds to Obama’s reelection campaign. The website went live today, and in addition to items by Tory Burch, Proenza Schouler, and Diane Von Furstenberg, there’s a T-shirt by Beyoncé and Tina Knowles! This totally means Beyoncé’s got a Vogue cover in the works, of course. Imagine — maybe she’s wearing one of these t-shirts at home with baby Blue this very minute! That’s reason enough to buy one in itself, really.

And now…

This is EbenGregory.com…telling you the closer one gets to the top, the more one finds there is no “top.” Free jewelry.

PS, Obama appreciates the support Beyonce.

Reports The NY Daily News:

Executive Director Frank Danza is interviewing parents who used his hospital’s birthing center the same time as the singer, he told the Daily News Tuesday in his first interview since the special treatment fiasco erupted.

The News reported Monday, and again Tuesday, that a family from Brooklyn and another from the Bronx were kept from seeing their kids in the neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

“The internal investigation was prompted by my own viewing of the news stories, which had indicated there were more parents, and those parents were in communication and had concerns,” Danza said.

Danza spoke out after a second dad came forward Tuesday claiming Beyonce’s bodyguards had turned the baby ward into her personal nursery.

And he’s denying Beyonce and rap mogul hubby, Jay-Z, paid $1.3 million to rent out an entire floor.

The power couple booked several newly built “executive suites,” paying the standard rate of up to $800 per room per night, he said. He also dismissed reports that Jay-Z financed recently completed renovations.

“The stars really did align for them,” Danza said.

And now…

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Reports Billboard:

Blue Ivy Carter, who was brought into the world Saturday (Jan. 7), is now the youngest person ever credited with gracing a Billboard chart, as Jay-Z’s newly-recorded studio cut “Glory” – officially billed as “featuring B.I.C.,” an abbreviation of Blue Ivy Carter – begins on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs at No. 74. “Glory” arrives as the week’s highest new entry on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs with 1.7 million audience impressions on 54 radio stations, according to Nielsen BDS.

I see said the blind man. And now...

This is EbenGregory.com…telling you that has got to be the luckiest baby in the world. Make me wanna give her Pious. Or not.

Reports Sohh:

In the posted photo, Jay-Z’s adult face is shown on a newborn baby’s body.

Rapper 50 Cent has posted a mocked-up photo of Beyoncé Knowles and Jay-Z’s baby Blue Ivy on Twitter – with his idea of what the little girl might look like. ‘Yal play to much congratulations to JAYZ and Beyonce BABY #BlueIvyCarter IS GEORGOUS @50cent,’ Tweets 50 Cent, 36, alongside the image. In the slightly terrifying snap, 42-year-old Jay-Z’s very masculine face has been Photoshopped on to a baby’s body.

After not taking credit for creating the photo, the New York rap star admitted he wanted a second child.

“I would never make a picture like that its all over my time line yal play to much I’m sure Jay is the happiest he’s ever been in his life.,” he tweeted January 9th.

“I remember when MARQUISE was born I was so happy. I want to have another kid one day.”

“You bull sh*ting they will pay a million dollars for a picture of that baby lol trust me.”

I see said the blind man. And now…

This is EbenGregory.com…telling you you one function I perform very well is reporting non-news with the same emphasis as if it were news. “News.”

Reports The Jasmine Brand:

A procession of vehicles with blacked-out windows made a speedy exit from the upper East Side hospital’s side gate in the wee hours of Tuesday, witnesses said. Two black SUVs motored quickly out of the facility’s E. 76th St. loading dock at 1:30 a.m. Moments later, a van parked on a nearby corner reversed into the same loading dock, and the large roll-down gate closed. The gate reopened a few minutes later and the van drove out, turned the wrong way on the one-way 76th St., and then headed north on Park Ave. One of the two SUVs blocked traffic on Park Ave. so the van would not be impeded. The second SUV pulled in behind the van, apparently to prevent anyone from following the music icons and their newborn daughter, Blue Ivy Carter.

One witness shared that it was “very precise, very military-like.”

I see said the blind man. And now…

This is EbenGregory.com…telling you you are now Watching The Throne.

Reports TMZ:

The rapper dropped the bombshell in his newest song “Glory” — which he released today in honor of Blue Ivy’s birth this weekend — rapping, “Last time the miscarriage was so tragic/We was afraid you’d disappear/But nah baby you magic.”

The song was produced by Pharrell — and even includes an audio sample of Blue Ivy crying just moments after she was born.

Among the proud fatherly lyrics — “The most amazing feeling I feel, words can’t describe what I’m feeling for real / Baby, I paint the sky blue, my greatest creation was you.”

And now…

This is EbenGregory.com…telling you prayers go up and blessings come down.

Reports the New York Daily News:

A very pregnant Beyoncé had checked into the upper East Side hospital on Friday night under the name “Ingrid Jackson,” a hospital staffer told the Daily News.

Beyoncé and her hip-hop hubby, whose real name is Shawn Carter, rented out the hospital’s entire fourth floor for $1.3 million, the employee said.

On Saturday night, people were seen bringing bags of takeout and a dozen bottles of red wine onto the heavily guarded hospital wing.

After 11 p.m., even doctors and nurses were barred from entering the fourth floor, prompting one doc to complain that he had patients to see.

In an effort to keep images from leaking to the public, hospital workers placed tape over security cameras and are forcing employees to turn in cell phones when they arrive for their shifts, a source said.

Several security guards were spotted patrolling the perimeter of the hospital Saturday night.

A Lenox Hill staffer confirmed that a patient named Ingrid Jackson was in a “labor room.”

Reps for the power couple did not return requests for comment.

The 30-year-old singer was last seen Thursday when she was photographed leaving a Manhattan apartment building wearing hip-hugging jeans, gold heels and a patterned scarf masking her belly.

I see said the blind man. And now…

This is EbenGregory.com…telling you the picture of Bey and that white baby is not real and for entertainment purposes only.

Rhymes With Snitch

Reports US Weekly:

“Welcome to the world, Blue,” Beyonce and Jay-Z’s close friend Gwyneth Paltrow tweeted Sunday. “We love you already.”

The actress also answered a “confused” fan who asked if the infant’s name is “Ivy Blue or Blue Ivy,” saying, “It’s Blue Ivy!’

According to GMA, the couple chose “Ivy” because of the significance of the number “4″ or “IV,” — Beyonce and Jay-Z were born on Sept. 4 and Dec. 4, respectively, were married on April 4, 2008, and Beyonce’s latest album is entitled 4.)

It’s the first child for the “Love on Top” singer and 42-year-old hip-hop mogul.

And now…Blue starts a Twitter and sends a few tweets:

And now…

This is EbenGregory.com…telling the happy couple that children are such a nice way to start people. Congrats.