Odds & Ends: Jay-Z, Bruno Mars & Merle Haggard

Jay-Z refutes news reports claiming he’s stopped using the “B” word; Bruno Mars has been cleared of his felony cocaine charge , and Merle Haggard cancels two shows, reschedules one.

Jay-Z & The ‘B’ (Word)

Earlier this week we told you about a poem allegedly written by Jay-Z in honor of the birth of his daughter Blue Ivy Carter that was circulating the ’net in which the rapper promised to stop using the derogatory slang word “bitch.”

Photo: AP Photo

iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas.

But you couldn’t blame folks for thinking it was a bona-fide Jay-Z rhyme. After all, he did post a song dedicated to the new addition to his family shortly after wife Beyoncé gave birth. So it wouldn’t be too surprising if the proud father said he was changing his ways.

But now it appears the “B” word is going to remain in Jay-Z’s vocabulary. While talking to the New York Daily News about the grand reopening of his 40/40 Club in Manhattan scheduled for tonight, Jay-Z told the newspaper that the poem was a fake.

The same article says Beyoncé will make her first post-birth experience at tonight’s shindig. Her presence should keep Jay-Z from flinging the “B” word around. At least for a few hours.

Bruno Mars No Longer Facing Cocaine Charges

Busted for felony cocaine possession while at Las Vegas’ Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in September 2010, singer/songwriter Bruno Mars is no longer facing possible jail time.

Mars, whose real name is Peter Hernandez, was arrested after a bathroom attendant told a security guard the performer was taking a long time in a stall. Confronted by the guard, Mars copped to possessing 2.6 grams of Bolivian marching powder.

Evidently the judge presiding over the case thought Mars is a good kid who just happened to get into trouble. Clark County District Court Judge Jessie Walsh postponed accepting Mars’ guilty plea. Instead, she gave him probation, fined him $2,000 and ordered him to undergo eight hours of drug counseling and perform 200 hours of community service.

Apparently Judge Walsh is satisfied with the results. She dismissed the case today, which means Mars no longer has to worry about the possibility of spending up to four years in a Nevada prison.

Photo: AP Photo / Keystone

Hallenstadion, Zurich, Switzerland

Although Mars wasn’t present for today’s ruling, his lawyer, Blair Berk, said the performer appreciated having the felony charge dismissed.

Merle Ailin’

Merle Haggard is under the weather this week. The country legend reportedly canceled last night’s gig in Macon, Ga., seven minutes before show time. Haggard’s fans in Columbus, Ga., got a little more advanced word as news circulated this morning that tonight’s show at the city’s Civic Center has been canceled as well, according to the Ledger-Enquirer.

There’s better news for fans in Paducah, Ky. Although Haggard won’t be appearing at the Four Rivers Center Thursday night as planned, the show has been rescheduled for April 26.

Photo: Jen Bronenkant / ConcertLivewire.com

Northern Lights Theater, Milwaukee, Wisc.

Haggard’s next scheduled performance is Friday night in Lula, Miss., at the Isle Of Capri Casino.