New York’s own Jay-Z and Alicia Keys got World Series champ Alex Rodriguez — better known these days as Kate Hudson’s manbag — to introduce their live performance of the Big Apple’s new anthem, “Empire State of Mind,” at the 2009 AMAs.

Luckily for everyone, there were no guest appearances by Lil Mama.

Pop/R&B legend Janet Jackson opened the 2009 American Music Awards with a medley of her hits, beginning with her 1986 breakout charttopper “Control.”

Janet’s late brother, Michael Jackson, is nominated for several prizes at tonight’s ceremony.

DMX has been slammed with a $1million lawsuit by Thunder Productions after pulling out of a highly publicized boxing match with actor Eric Martinez.

Earlier this month, the troubled rapper ditched plans to appear in the Dec. 12 matchup after the promotion company refused to honor the clause in his contract which stated: “Event Promoter and Management agree that (DMX) is scheduled to win Boxing Challenge.”

Thunder Productions have inked a deal with “Gangsta’s Paradise” rapper Coolio, who will replace X in bout.

Sorry, Slim Shady fans: You’ll have to wait a little longer for Eminem’s next album -the release of the rapper’s Relapse 2 has been postponed until 2010.

The star returned to the hip hop scene this year promising two comeback discs, Relapse and Relapse 2 after a more than four year absence.

The first installment debuted at number one on the U.S. Billboard Top 200 chart when it was released in May. Relapse 2 had been set to drop later in the year – but will now be released in 2010. Instead, Eminem is re-releasing his charttoper Relapse just in time for Christmas. A revamped version of the album will debut Dec. 21, featuring seven bonus tracks.

Hey ya, pay your taxes! Antwan Andre Patton, best known as Big Boi of OutKast fame, is in trouble with Uncle Sam after apparently skipping out on paying his taxes.

Word is Big Boi owes $55,727 and has been under an Internal Revenue Service-induced lien since June.

Speaking of Toni Braxton, the star called into The Wendy Williams Show Friday and the longtime powerhouse was amazingly candid about several issues that have plagued her private life in recent weeks.

For instance, Toni says she kissed Trey Songz to “narrate” their duet “Yesterday” at the Soul Train Awards earlier this month — but denied whispers that she is dating the 25-year-old. Toni also confirmed that she has separated from her husband, Mint Condition star Keri Lewis, after eight years of marriage.

R&B diva Toni Braxton teams up with the man who “Invented Sex” in the visually-impressive new music video “Yesterday.” As you’ve heard, Trey and Toni were performing this single when they shared a steamy liplock — right in front of Toni’s husband, crooner Keri Lewis — at the Soul Train Awards in Atlanta earlier this month.

Sidebar: Keep your ears peeled for a guest appearance by VH1′s Brooke Hogan….

Have you seen the latest video from The ATL’s own Keri Hilson? Check out “I Like!”