Despite erroneous reports that surfaced on the internet claiming that Island Def Jam had nixed its relationship with Ludacris’ Disturbing Tha Peace record label, the Antonio “

L.A. ” Reid-helmed company announced this week that it just signed a new long-term extension with the Atlanta-based imprint.

The 30-year-old rap star (real name: Christopher Bridges) launched his label via Def Jam shortly after the success of his debut CD on the label in 2000. Among the acts currently on his roster include Chingy, Bobby Valentino, Shareefa, I-20, Steph Jones, Lil Fate and Playaz Circle, among others.

“The

Atlanta hip-hop scene and the Dirty South movement in general owe more than they can ever repay to,” said Reid. “Our friendship stretches back more than a decade and I never cease to be amazed at his imagination, creativity, and most of all his outrageous sense of humor. Now changing business conditions necessitate that we review our respective rosters and focus to ensure that future opportunities and challenges are aggressively achieved. Ludacris has built Disturbing Tha Peace into one of the iconic names in hip-hop, one that will remain an important part of the Island Def Jam family.”

***** ‘American Idol’ announced this week that the show’s second winner, the ‘Velvet Teddy Bear’ Ruben Studdard will perform the “farewell song” used to play off the losing contestants when they depart the top 12. This year, the goodbye melody will be a cover of Kenny Loggins’ ‘Celebrate Me Home,’ in a new version produced by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis (Janet Jackson/Yolanda Adams). “It’s very soulful, very heartfelt. Ruben is singing his pants off,” said Lewis. Studdard is singing the praises of the producers as well. “[Lewis and Jam] were on my list of producers to work with, and to have the opportunity was a blessing,” he offered. “If they tell you something is hot, you can probably rest assured that other people are going to like it.”

Despite being dropped by Clive Davis’ J Records in 2007, Studdard is still represented by 19 Entertainment and is still signed to 19 Recordings, the recording arm of ‘American Idol’ that partners with record companies to distribute their artists.

A rep for 19 Entertainment told me that Studdard is in the studio “working on an amazing album” and fans will be “blown away when they hear it.” ***** EMI Gospel has signed former Men at Large singer Jason Champion to its roster. Champion is gearing up for his first solo gospel release, ‘Reflections,’ which is being led by the first single ‘Always.’ The married father of two sang with the ensemble of singers who backed Kirk Franklin on his last two albums, and most recently was featured on the praise and worship compilation, ‘Deitrick Haddon presents Together in Worship.’

The ‘I’m So Alone’ singer, who was signed to Men at Large by the late Gerald Levert, will release his album later this year.

***** Toni Braxton has extended her run at the Flamingo Las Vegas until late 2008.

The ‘Breath Again’ singer, who opened her ‘Toni Braxton: Revealed’ cabaret show in August 2006, announced on the ‘Tom Joyner Morning Show’ that she’s signed on until the end of the year.

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