MOM KNOWS BEST: USHER FINALLY RE-HIRES HIS MANAGER MOM.

Usher has re-hired his mother just over a year after he fired her. The 'Love In This Club' singer - who ditched his manager mom Jonetta Patton in May 2007 - has now employed her for a second time in a bid to kickstart the success of his latest record 'Here I Stand'. The pair released a statement saying: "Usher has dissolved his management arrangement with Benny Medina and has re-engaged Jonetta Patton as his manager." Usher's decision to get rid of Jonetta last year was reportedly due to a rift between Jonetta and Usher's wife Tameka Foster.

At the time, Usher said: "This is great for me because it means I now get to have my mother strictly as my mother, with no added pressure." However, executives at Usher's label, Jive Records, were said to be concerned about Jonetta's sacking. A source said: "They think Jonetta's done an incredible job with his career." 'Here I Stand' sold just 433,000 copies in its first week, compared to Usher's 2004 album 'Confessions' which sold 1.1 million.

Rift? There was no rift that concerns you. People are always starting something! I love Tameka....Fock it! Expect and interview in the fall with Jonetta about her newly formed J-Pat Record label with some hot boy acts!

LIL JON WITHDRAWS OBJECTIONS TO TVT SALE!

Rapper/producer LIL JON has dropped a multi-million dollar objection to the recent sale of music label TVT Records, after striking a deal with new owners The Orchard. TVT Records - to which Lil Jon was signed - was sold off to the digital music company for $6 million in June (08), just months after label bosses filed for bankruptcy in February (08). Lil Jon initially opposed the sale and mounted legal action against the move - but he has now withdrawn the objection and is a free agent after negotiating with The Orchard executives, reports AllHipHop.com.

Under the new deal, Lil Jon - real name Jonathan Smith - is not obligated to any more recordings as per his TVT contract, and he will be handed master recording rights to his forthcoming album, Crunk Rock. However, The Orchard will still retain his back catalogue, and label bosses will digitally release the albums. The star says, "I walked into The Orchard and came away with the sweet taste of freedom. Others talk, The Orchard does. I expect to do great things with them, and look forward to my future."

His attorney Doug Davis adds, "Record companies today are taking more rights and a bigger piece of an artist's career without regard to the long term relationship with and financial health of their artists. "The Orchard has spoken loud and clear about their commitment to doing right by artists and have set the foundation for a positive ongoing relationship with Lil Jon with this landmark release."

OMG! FANTASIA HAS BEEN DROPPED FROM HER MANAGEMENT COMPANY!

Entertainment Weekly.com reports that former American Idol winner Fantasia was unceremoniously dumped by her management company, 19 Management, yesterday Thursday!

"The reason for the split, according to sources, is that age-old saw “creative differences.” However, like many other Idol contestants, Fantasia remains on the label 19 Recordings and will continue to share music sales profits with the company."

A rep for 19 declined to comment.