Tyler Perry's impeccable talent for theater and screenplay has catapulted him into the height of Hollywood's elite fleet of producers. Not to mention, the New Orleans native has a distinctive ear to detect and mesh the perfect song to compliment his various projects.

However, not everyone is thrilled with Perry's work, especially if they're being ripped off as one songwriter recently claims.

According to TMZ, a lawsuit was filed by Johnny Tyrone Stringfield on Feb. 3 in a Los Angeles federal courtroom, stating the 'Diary of a Mad Black Woman' creator lifted the lyrics from his 2008 copyrighted song titled, 'I Got Away.'

Apparently the gospel track was used in an 2009 episode of Perry's TBS network series 'Meet the Browns,' in which Stringfield states several of the show's characters belted out the lyrics "The Devil thought he had me ... but I got away."

And Stringfield is not letting Perry get away with it, either.

OUR ROOTS RUN DEEPRoots phrenology
You'd think that NBC would lay low after all the bad press following the Conan O'Brien-Leno Leno late-night fiasco. But the network just can't get it together. The Roots drummer Questlove always Tweets things he finds funny. Yesterday, the 'Late Night With Jimmy Fallon' backing band member decided to post a picture of the NBC cafeteria's "black history month menu," which featured fried chicken, black-eyed peas, collard greens with smoked turkey and jalapeno cornbread. Well, having a million-plus followers gets lots of attention. An NBC public relations executive took down the sign and even apologized for offending people. But the African American cook who made the menu put up a video, letting the world know that she doesn't see what the fuss is all about. So, it's anyone's guess if the Black History Month cafeteria specials will be back at NBC later this month. [New York Mag]

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Tyler Perrys house of Payne

This month, 'My Manny' starring 'Hustle & Flow' actress Elise Neal and 'ER' actor Sharif Atkins is returning for a third installment to TBS.

The sitcom is called a micro-series because it will air within commercial time during Tyler Perry's 'Meet the Browns,' every Wednesday evening for five consecutive weeks. This new type of programming is the network's way of retaining viewers during commercial breaks and integrating a brand through a natural story line.

Kirk Whalum's talents have taken him all over the world. He's worked with the likes of Luther Vandross, Whitney Houston, and Quincy Jones, to name a few.

He's an eight-time Grammy nominee and two-time Stellar Award winner. His uncle and nephew are both saxophonists (his nephew recently toured with Maxwell), his brother is a singer, and his son is a bassist and singer-songwriter.

Music is not only in Whalum's blood (he played the sax solo on 'I Will Always Love You'), but it's also a family affair.

His latest release, 'The Gospel According to Jazz III,' is slated for release next month via Rendezvous Records. This talented act isn't letting fame go to his head, though. He's humble and rooted in his faith. If you don't know, get familiar.

BV Newswire recently caught up with Whalum to talk all things music and where Whalum's most likely to find inspiration.

Tomorrow Sean "Diddy" Combs, Queen Latifah and Pharrell Williams will host the second star-studded telethon and concert special to raise money for earthquake relief in Haiti.

S.O.S. Saving Ourselves – Help for Haiti, modeled after a similar special for Hurricane Katrina relief, will air live from Miami's American Airlines Arena at 8 p.m. EST on BET, MTV and VH1.

Mary J. Blige, Chris Brown, Wyclef Jean, Lil' Wayne, Robin Thicke and Justin Bieber have signed on to perform at the three-hour event.

The legendary Diahann Carroll is doing her part to raise funds for public television.

The Academy Award-nominated actress will perform a live concert from the Annenberg Theatre at the Palm Springs Museum in California on April 21, which will air on PBS in August.

The 74-year-old New York native will give television viewers a taste of her critically acclaimed one-woman show, titled 'The Lady...The Music...The Legend."

Usher and Alicia Keys are on the same line-up for the first time in a long time.

The former 'My Boo' duo have been announced as performers, along with Shakira, for this year's NBA All-Star half-time show.

Usher, who took the Grammy stage to honor his musical idol Michael Jackson on Jan. 30, is set to sing his new song, 'More,' during the 2010 NBA All-Star players introduction. The 'Confessions' singer is a minority owner of the NBA team Cleveland Cavaliers.