Amy Winehouse Cancels Tour
Nov 30, 2007 Amy Winehouse, Concert Tour, Music, Music Artists, News, Performance, Singers, Soul Music
Can you say pathetic? I can understand love struck but this is just dumb. Amy Winehouse has cancelled her UK tour and all promotional appearances through 2008 because she’s too upset about her husband Blake Fielder-Civil being in jail. Professionalism is definitely not in her vocabulary.Wino released a statement on Tuesday saying “I can’t give it my all onstage without my Blake. I’m so sorry but I don’t want to do the shows half-heartedly; I love singing. My husband is everything to me and without him it’s just not the same.”
The few shows she has done have been slammed by critics and fans. It at least saves everyone else and they get refunds too.
Baby Boom – Usher
Nov 29, 2007 Famous People, Hip Hop, Music Artists, News, R&B, Singers, Usher
Baby Boom
There appears to be congratulations in order for singer Usher and his wife; as their first child arrived into the world at 9.30pm on Monday (26-11-07). Originally, they named baby son, Usher. Usher Raymond V to be precise.
So is that like calling him Junior? Well, if so, little Jr. was a healthy 7lb 9oz; and the couple are overjoyed. “We are so happy and proud of our beautiful son. What a blessing!”
I have to say it’s lovely and refreshing to not be writing about crazy stars doing drug related, alcohol related or generally weird related things for once. I have already mentioned this week the planned wedding of Kanye West and his girlfriend; and now the happy family here. Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy… until tomorrow when someone is bound to have done something stupid. Again.
Lil Wasted
Nov 29, 2007 Lil Wayne, Music, Music Artists, Performance, Rap Music, Rapper, Rumor
The last time that hip hop artist Lil Wayne was supposed to host an event, he failed to show. But this time, he actually made it. The problem is, it’s not really that much of a good thing.
The eyelid-tatted, blinged-out rapper showed up to perform his hosting duties at Pure Nightclub in Atlanta this past week but he was pretty much out of it. ATLpics.net put up several pictures of Lil Wayne spending most of the night struggling to keep his eyes open.
Whether that’s because of the glare from all his bling or that he’s way beyond drunk, I don’t know and I don’t really care.
Kevin DuBrow dead
Nov 29, 2007 Music, Music Artists, Music Bands, News, Pop Music, Rock, Singers
The 80’s nostalgia ends up tragically as the lead sing of Quiet riot has been found dead in his home.
Police discovered his lifeless body after performing a search once they got phone calls announcing he was missing. Friends and family are devastated, and former band members show their grief.
The band was currently active, singing from time to time and releasing albums once in a while, so the relationships between him and his colleagues were still good. No one seems to know what happened, but as in most cases when it comes to musicians, I suspect it was a suicide. As police didn’t reveal many details about his death, or the causes, I can’t assume anything or imagine the circumstance. But I think that if they would have found signs of unusual presences in his home or burglar steps they would have announced that.
Kanye’s Mom Laid to Rest
Nov 28, 2007 Beyonce, Famous People, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Music Artists, Singers
After a rollercoaster ride of emotions, rapper Kanye West finally buried his mother, Dr. Donda West, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma earlier this week.
The ceremony was held at the True Vine Ministry church which could hold up to 2,500 people. The funeral was attended by members of the music industry as reported by AccessHollywood.com. Beyonce and Jay-Z attended the services where John Legend and Anita Baker performed in honor of Donda.
Kanye reportedly broke down inside the church as he was giving his eulogy and talking about his mother. He said, he wanted her to not “rest in peace, but rest in paradise.”
Prosecutor Says This Isn’t T.I.’s First Time
Nov 28, 2007 Drugs, Music, Music Artists, Prison, Rapper, Rumor, Scandal, Singers, T.I.
Apparently rapper T.I. likes to play with guns – even though he’s been told not to many times.T.I., whose real name is Clifford Harris, is currently facing federal charges in relation to his October 13 arrest. He was arrested in Atlanta, just a few hours before he was scheduled to perform at the BET Hip-Hop Awards. He was allegedly attempting to purchase unregistered machine guns and silencers.
His official charge is possession of unregistered guns and silencers and possession of firearms by a convicted felon. He managed to make bond and is currently serving under house arrest.
Convicted felon, you ask? Well, let’s review the laundry list of T.I.’s previous run-ins with the law. According to the U.S. Attorney’s office, he was involved in three other instances of unlawful possession of guns.
The first incident was on December 22, 2001. He was carrying a concealed 9mm pistol and told police his name was Douglas Morgan. He managed to get out of this one without a criminal conviction.
The second time was November 1, 2002, less than a year later. He was carrying a 10mm pistol. Guess he hadn’t learned his lesson yet.
The third incident occurred when a search warrant was issued for his Fulton County home on December 18, 2004. Police found a gun with attached silencer, ammunition, and pictures of T.I. holding weapons. Again, this incident did not bring a criminal conviction.
Part of this newest charge is possession of firearms by a convicted felon. Seems T.I. was arrested for selling crack in Atlanta when he was just 17 years old. He was given seven years of probation for that offense, which he violated, so he was then sent to jail.
It seems to me that his problem isn’t just playing with guns; it’s listening to authority.
Whitney’s Comeback
Nov 26, 2007 Concert Tour, Hit Songs, Music, Music Artists, Music Videos, Performance, Photography, Pop Music, R&B, Whitney Houston
Everyone in the music know-how is aware that Whitney Houston is planning to make a comeback. Well now, it’s official. The pop/R&B diva is set to make her official return to being a performer at the Live & Loud music festival in Malaysia on the 1st of December.
Whitney is said to be performing an hour-long set of her classic hits and people are saying that she’s very excited about all of it. She was so excited in fact, that she just had to make a video about her comeback gig which has already made its way around the internet.
Beyonce at AMAs
Nov 26, 2007 AMA - American Music Awards, Beyonce, Music, Music Artists, News, Performance, Pop Music, R&B, Singers
Bobby Brown may be going through a career change by trying to make it in country but did you ever fathom that Beyonce could do that same?
In a surprising move, Beyonce put a sweet country twist to her massive hit ‘Irreplaceable’ and even brought in Sugarland country crusaders Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush at the 2007 American Music Awards.
Beyonce was also recognized with the International Artist Award of Excellence. It’s a huge achievement because not only is she the first female artist to ever receive it but she also joins a list of legends including Michael Jackson, Rod Stewart, Led Zeppelin, the Bee Gees and Aerosmith.
Alicia Keys is 4 for 4
Nov 23, 2007 Billboard Chart, Debut, Hip Hop, Music, Music Artists, Photography, R&B, Records Sale, Review, Singers, Soul Music
Out of four albums released over the span of her career, all four have debuted at #1 on the Billboard charts. Her most recent album was released last week, entitled As I Am.
A #1 debut is not her only Thanksgiving blessing this week, though. Keys has already sold 742,400 copies and is her highest performing debut yet. Her first album Songs in a Minor (2001) sold 235,800 copies while her sophomore album The Diary of Alicia Keys sold 618,300. Unplugged (2005) sold approximately 196,000 copies. This year, her closest competition was Josh Groban’s Neel, a Christmas themed album, which hit #2 with around 223,000 copies.
This recent increase in album sales has shown us that it is indeed beginning to look at a lot like Christmas. And a lot of people will be pleasantly surprised to find a copy of the R&B songster’s latest gift in their stockings!
AMA Rehearsals
Nov 22, 2007 AMA - American Music Awards, Award, Chris Brown, Daughtry, Jonas Brothers, Maroon 5, Music, Music Artists, Music Bands, Performance, Review, Singers, TV Show
If you’re anxious to see the 2007 American Music Awards, here’s a sneak peek at the rehearsals. From the looks of things, it’s going to be an awesome show.
The Jonas Brothers, Chris Brown, T-Pain, Mary J. Blige, Daughtry and Maroon 5 were all caught as they run through their respective sets. It looks like we’re in for a treat when Chris Brown takes the stage with his gravity-defying performance.
And it seems like the Jonas Brothers even brought their own set of groupies. I can already hear fan girls screaming. Careful ladies, one of them happens to be a minor.
Ne-Yo No!
Nov 21, 2007 Concert Tour, Music, Music Artists, Ne-Yo, Performance, Photography, R&B, R. Kelly, Review, Singers
Well it seems there is a little R&B artist rivalry going on. Just one week into R Kelly’s ‘Double Up’ tour, Ne-Yo has been relieved of his duties as opening act. Now the statement from his label would not elaborate, but if you ask the artist about the reasons behind this it’s a simple case of “I’m better than he is” school boy type chant.
What he will actually tell you is the reviews came back after the first week and raved more about Ne-Yo than they did about R Kelly, creating the theory our Mr Kelly doesn’t like being upstaged so has sacked the reason…What Kelly’s spokespeople will say is that the cause was due to “contractual agreements not being met”.
Children, children can we please play nice together? What do we believe folks? After all R Kelly is said to be the nicest guy in the R&B business, but no one ever said he might be a bit petty, maybe a little jealous of the younger, more successful artists. Or maybe, like his label insists, Kelly is confident enough in himself to happily share the stage with such talented acts as Ne-Yo; and maybe the latter truly just screwed up.
Jay-Z Still Got It
Nov 20, 2007 Album, Album Review, Billboard Chart, Jay-Z, Movies Music, Music, Music Artists, News, Performance, Photography, Rap Music, Records Sale, Singers, TRL, Top Music List
It’s always annoying when a rapper says that he’s retired then comes back only to retire again and then come back again. But in Jay-Z’s case, no one should care as long as he’s number 1.
The rapper may have flashed two fingers when he passed paparazzi on his way to TRL on Monday. But as of the middle of the week, he hit number 1. As it was projected by music insiders last week, his American Gangster-inspired album took the top spot on the Billboard charts and knocked the Eagles down a notch.
Congratulations to Jay-Z. This is his 10th #1 album!
Eminem Refuses To Tour Due To Daughter
Nov 20, 2007 Concert Tour, Eminem, Live Music, Music, Music Artists, News, Performance, Rap Music, Rapper, Rumor, Singers
Eminem is refusing to embark on any future U.S tour in fear of upsetting his young daughter, according to rapper 50 Cent. The In Da Club hitmaker says his pal’s daughter Hailey, six, dislikes him being away from home – and Eminem is adamant fatherhood comes before his career. Now isn’t that such an inspirational thought from a cult singer and doesn’t it inspire the likes of David Beckham and Brad and all the other’s to give up a little on the hectic lifestyles to spend some time with their kids and if this speak doesn’t then I don’t know what will. Man come on after you have the millions in your bank account what is there that is stopping you from taking a early Christmas break and going on a vacation with the family. What are you all filthy rich dads waiting for, till when you retire at that time the kids would have left the nest and shall be free birds. This is the time to enjoy with the kids. Eminem has his priorities all right and this makes him my idol.
ALBUM REVIEW: Laura Critchley
Nov 19, 2007 Album Release, Album Review, Compilation, Jazz, Live Music, Music, Music Artists, New Single, Performance, Singers, Song
In addition to listening to this album in it’s entirity, I was also fortunate enough to hear Laura Critchley perform some of the songs live at the album launch last Wednesday. I did not envy the poor girl, having to perform to a room full of music industry people, but she pulled it off brilliantly before heading off to another gig in her home town of Liverpool. The album is a good mixture of upbeat songs and ballads with a pinch of rock and jazz/funk thrown in. Laura co-wrote all the songs on the album, and is obviously responsible for the great lyrics throughout. She opened her set with the second song on the album, “What Do We Do?”, which was also released as a single on 5 November. This is a break up ballad, which she does so well, as is “I’ll Be Ok” , which is the fourth track on the album. “Lullaby” was beautiful but happy while the title track is a very commercial love song which is coming out as a single in January. The rest of the album includes jazzier entries like “Shoulder To Lean On” and “Don’t Say” , rocky ones like “That Kind Of Love”, and “Superstar (Song For Karen) dedicated to Karen Carpenter. If you like good songs, well written and passionately sung, this album is a must for your collection. Furthermore, I can confirm that she is just as good live as she is on CD.
Freeway – Free at Last
Nov 18, 2007 Album Release, Album Review, Debut, Freeway, Live Music, Music, Music Artists, Music Bands, New Single
Almost five years after releasing a near-classic rap debut, Freeway finally gets his second shot, and there’s some unsurprisingly frank talk about his surroundings not being identical. Since Philadelphia Freeway’s early 2003 release, there was the Damon Dash/Jay-Z Roc-A-Fella rift, so Free addresses that, despite it being old news. Free at Last has all the makings of a disappointment — a release destined to slide off everyone’s radar within a couple weeks of release. “Oh, yeah, Freeway eventually put out that second album… uh, Free Again, or something?”
The album is not the least bit deserving of that fate. Even with the amount of expectation-lowering context heavy on the mind, Free at Last sounds like a very strong follow-up. Apart from the 50 feature “Take It to the Top,” with a light and frilly production that is absolutely the worst fit for Free’s gruff and pop-unfriendly voice, there are no obvious points of weakness — unless, of course, Free’s lack of vocal versatility is something to gripe about. But his intelligible grunts and rasps are just as commanding and riveting as any other MC’s best mode. With a pilgrimage to Mecca also in his recent past, the dichotomy between his threat/boast-based rhymes and more introspective side is greater than it was on Philadelphia Freeway, and it isn’t at the expense of toughness — take, for instance, “I will squeeze and leave your spleen on the outside.” He is a sharper, more vivid lyricist, and it can also be sensed that he has done everything in his power to make up for all that lost time. And it must be said that his as-common-as-ever exultations of “Early!” — Practically a tic at this point — are more perplexing and amusing than ever
“Cover Your Eyes” Tour!
Nov 17, 2007 Concert Tour, Cover Your Eyes, Jazz, Live Music, Music, Music Artists, Music Bands, News, Performance, Photography, Pop Music, Rock, Singers, Soul Music, Tickets Sale
If you were looking for a truly impressive night out then you are going to want to see what you can do about getting yourself tickets to take in the “Cover Your Eyes” Tour which is sure to be a great night out whether you decide to attend with family or with friends. Featuring such acts as Kenotia and City Sleeps as well as Bedlight for Blue eyes, this tour promises to be an amazing night out that you are not going to want to miss so make sure you see what you can do about getting yourself tickets to catch these great bands and more in action.
Highlights of this tour include stops at such venues as Jaxx in West Springfield, Virginia on November 15, The Brewery in Raleigh, North Carolina on November 16, Soapbox in Wilmington, North Carolina on November 17, The 7 Venue in Douglasville, Georgia on November 18, The Pit in Jacksonville, Florida on November 19, Island Oasis in Winter Park, Florida on November 21, Dark Room in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on NOvember 24, Fat Daddy’s Sound Shack in Lewisville, Texas on November 25, White Rabbit in San Antonio, Texas on November 26 and The Blue Goat in Salina, Kansas on November 28 as well as The Foundry in Joplin, Missouri on November 29 and The Cellblock in Mesa, Arizona on December 4. There are also a slew of other performances that you know you aren’t going to want to miss out on!
50 Cent on Retirement
Nov 16, 2007 50 Cent, Album, Kanye West, Music, Music Artists, Rap Music, Rapper, Records Sale, Top Music List
50 Cent has promised that should his rival Kanye West beat him in record sales for their newest albums, he would retire. But the rapper is finding more and more loopholes after finding out that Kanye did beat him. First, he said that he beat Kanye in the UK charts and now this.
It seems that 50 doesn’t believe in retirement as he is quoted in saying “I don’t know if it’s possible for a rapper to retire, rappers are like fighters. They condition themselves to be the best. All rappers think they’re the best. And they are just waiting for everyone else to recognise they are the best. You’ll see them come back and back.” He just can’t admit that he got beaten.
Say Anything – In Defense Of The Genre
Nov 16, 2007 Album, Album Review, Hit Songs, Music, Music Artists, Music Bands, New Single, News, Pop Music, Singers, Song
Emo dudes vary the heartbreak guitars with string ballads and a faux show tune for years, say anything leader Max Bemis has had to deal with bipolar disorder, but judging by his band’s third album, he’s got something else to gripe about — namely, bad, bad love. Loosely based on one of Bemis’ own relationships, the album mostly sticks to serrated emo but ranges from big, string-laden ballads (“Plea”) to a faux show tune (“That Is Why”). When Bemis is on –shuffling between a touching Latinate melody and an ace, bloodletting chorus on “Hangover Song,” delivering the sugar-rush pop of “Shiksa (Girlfriend)” –his songs are tuneful and invigorating. “Retarded in Love” is sort of like a Springer episode: You don’t want to watch someone fall apart before your eyes, but you don’t want to look away, either. Lyrics about his love interest, a “slender slave with sluttish, sleepy eyes,” should have stayed in Bemis’ journal. Still, it’s hard not root for him — if he could only handle ladies with the same ease with which he turns out good melodies, he’d be all right.
James Blunt is Touring
Nov 15, 2007 Concert Tour, James Blunt, Live Music, Music, Music Artists, Music Bands, Performance, Pop Music, Rock, Singers
James Blunt, that English crooner, is touring and you had better believe that you are going to love having this chance to see him perform live onstage! Whether you want to attend his concert with your friends or your family in tow, you know there is nothing like seeing a great performer live while you are surrounded by your loved ones. Additionally, performers like James Blunt are wonderful to see in concert because concert-goers are surrounded by the performers’ other loyal fans which is always a wonderful experience to have.
Highlights of James Blunt’s tour include stops at such locales as Carling Academy Glasgow in Glasgow, United Kingdom on January 9, Edinburgh Corn Exchange in Edinburgh, United Kingdom on January 10, Carling APollo Manchester in Manchester, United Kingdom on January 11 and on January 12, International Centre in Bournemouth, United Kingdom on Janaury 17 adn Plymouth Pavilions in Plyamouth, United Kingdom on January 18 as well as the Royal Concert Hall in Nottingham, United Kingdom on January 19. Other highlights of Blunt’s extensive tour include gigs at the Hallenstadion Zurich in Zurich itself on March 9, Zenith Paris in Paris, France on March 10, Ahoy Rotterdam in Rotterdam, Netherlands on March 17, Hovet in Stockholm, Sweden on March 23 and Porsche Arena in Stuttgart, Germany on March 30 as well as Alcatraz in Milan, Italy on April 2 and a slew of other venues.
You know you don’t want to miss out on this chance to see such a talented performer do his thing live.