Jay-Z Does Not Pass
Dec 30, 2007 Jay-Z, Las Vegas, Rapper
Jay-Z is in trouble! Sources are saying that Jay-Z’s new 40/40 club in Las Vegas did not pass their inspection. Just what does that mean for the club? Well, the venue won’t open as previously planned which throws a curveball to the rapper and entrepreneur.
A source familiar with the situation says that “Unless Jay-Z and his team miraculously come up with certain licenses and certificates by Sunday, then they won’t be able to go on with their New Year’s Eve party plans”. He and his team may also have to refund all tickets for the opening which would add even more costs.
Yung Joc is a Runaway
Dec 29, 2007 Prison, Rap Music, Rapper, Rumor, Scandal, Yung Joc
Yung Joc is a fugitive! The rapper failed to show at his arraignment on felony gun charges which just earned him that title.
Cops had arrested the 27-year old rapper whose real name is Jasiel Robinson last Saturday after he tried to go through a Cleveland airport security with a semi-automatic weapon in his carry on bag. Cuyahoga County assistant prosecutor Gayle Williams told the AP that she plans to request a warrant for him. The rapper’s lawyer Stanley Jackson Jr., was apologetic and said that Joc was out of town on “personal and family obligations”. It’s what we can call being afraid of the law.
Jay-Z Steps Down
Dec 28, 2007 Jay-Z, Money, R&B, Rapper, Record Label, Records Sale
It’s been swirling around the rumor mill for a while now and it has finally been proven to be true. Rapper/entrepreneur Jay-Z is stepping down as president/CEO of Def Jam Records after 3 years with the label.
Jay-Z announced it on Christmas eve saying “It’s really about trying to invest in the future, trying to invest in maybe coming up with a new model. Because going in hard making records with artists and throwing those records into a system that’s flawed is not exciting for me. It’s not the music; people ingest music the same way. It’s just that the model of selling CDs has changed. So doing things the typical way is not in the best interests of anyone and not exciting for me. My whole thing is, how do we invest in the future? If everyone is committed to doing that, then I’m sure there’s a deal to be made.”
B2K Rape Scandal
Dec 28, 2007 B2K, Prison, Rumor, Scandal, YouTube
Chris Stokes (inset), the former manager of the now defunct band B2K, is denying allegations that he sexually abused former member Demario ‘Raz-B’ Thorton (right) and his brother Ricardo aka Ricky Romance (left).
The allegations surfaced on YouTube and include improper touching and outright molestation. Both alleged victims can be heard generally accusing Stokes but for the most part, their statements lacked any specifics. Stokes has since released a statement regarding the allegations and he thinks that the reason for the false accusations is money. Stokes also said that he “will take all legal routes to protect myself, my family and my four children”.
Janet Jackson’s Official Release
Dec 27, 2007 Album Release, Album Review, Hit Songs, Janet Jackson, Photography, Pop Music, Records Sale, Review, Song
If the new promo picture that came out is any indication of the vibe that Janet Jackson’s new album is going to have, then that stuff is going to be shooting through the roof! Hot! Hot! Hot!
The lead single off of the album ‘Feedback’ is already getting massive airplay which has excited even more people about Janet’s comeback. And for those wondering just when we’ll get it, her new album ‘Discipline’ now has an official release date for February 26th. I can’t wait! I really hope that she would do a tour for this one. She needs to really go out there again.
Kanye West and his Ego
Dec 26, 2007 Kanye West, Music Artists, News, Performance, Photography
We’ve already established that Kanye West has a rather large ego on him. For those of you that aren’t aware, pick up the new issue of Spin and take note of the following quote:
“I’m a pop enigma. I live and breathe every element in life. I rock a bespoke suit and I go to Harold’s for fried chicken. It’s all these things at once, because, as a tastemaker, I find the best of everything. There’s certain things that black people are the best at and certain things that white people are the best at. Whatever we as black people are the best at, I’m a go get that. Like, on Christmas I don’t want any food that tastes white. And when I go to purchase a house, I don’t want my credit to look black.”
Celine Dion Takes a Bow
Dec 21, 2007 Celine Dion, Concert Tour, Las Vegas, Live Music, Music, Music Artists, New Single, Pop Music, Records Sale, Review, Singers, Tickets Sale
Celine Dion was photographer with her 6 ½-year old son Rene as she waved goodbye during the final run of her Las Vegas show ‘A New Day’ at The Colosseum at the Caesars Palace on Saturday night.
Since the show opened in March 2003, nearly 3 million people have watched the 39-year old songstress perform 717 live shows. Gross ticket sales have totaled a cool $400 million. For those that missed the show, you can still catch it on the newly released five-hour double DVD ‘Celine Dion: A New Day – Live in Las Vegas’.
Celine will be kicking off the North American leg of her concert tour next month.
Rihanna’s Bad look is Good
Dec 18, 2007 Fashion, Music, Music Artists, Photography, Pop Music, R&B, Rihanna, Rumor, Singers
At her sold out Wembley gig last night, Rihanna proved she can hold her own against any of the strong female legends of pop as she rocked the stage in some very hot outfits.
The performance certainly drove away any ‘teen-pop’ image she may have been carrying. With awesome stage presence, powerhouse vocals and moves that would have Beyonce shaking in her boots; the fans went nuts.
I doubt the many changes of PVC bondage outfits harmed the effect either.
Kenny and Lance Raise Eyebrows
Dec 17, 2007 Country Music, Kenny Rogers, Music, Music Artists, NSYNC, Rumor, Singers
From one artist’s raised eyebrows to another, here’s a glimpse of your future.
Country crooner turned roasted chicken king Kenny Rogers, along with his taut face, visited Lance Bass and his overdone eyebrows backstage at ‘Hairspray’ on Broadway. I never knew Kenny Rogers was an NSYNC fan much less a Broadway fan.
I wonder if Lance thought “this will one day be me” when he looked at Kenny’s face. It could happen you know. I mean, only time will tell if Lance will morph into one of those men who look like Kenny Rogers. I think he will. He’s already got the raised eyebrows down pat.
Madonna Gets Inducted
Dec 15, 2007 Award, Celebrity, Music, Music Artists, Rock, Singers
There are some things that are inevitable and you know should happen and would happen. It’s just like Madonna being announced to be a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee on Thursday. I think she’s a shoe-in because she’s pretty much the ultimate icon and the most influential woman in pop music.
Madonna was one of five acts chosen for induction at the annual ceremony which will be held on March 10 in New York City. The other artists are John Mellencamp, The Ventures, Leonard Cohen and The Dave Clark Five.
Congrats!
Welcome Back Janet Jackson
Dec 14, 2007 Album, Album Release, Dance, Internet, Janet Jackson, Music Artists, Pop Music, Singers, Song, Song Leaked, Songs Download
Janet Jackson is officially back and she is on fire! The youngest Jackson singer is ready to toss her hat back in the ring of the music industry with a new album coming out next year. The lead single has already leaked on the internet and it is hot!
‘Feedback’ is the name of the comeback song and here’s some feedback for her, it’s absolutely great! It’s not retro, it’s not futuristic – it’s just now. It’s current, it’s fresh and it’s fun. It’s a classic ‘Janet’ song. It’s also quite smart of her to lead the album with a dance track too.
Jay-Z is a Hot Download
Dec 13, 2007 Internet, Jay-Z, Led Zeppelin, Linkin Park, R&B, Rap Music, Remix, Songs Download
Remember the ‘Grey Album’? It’s the one where Gnarls Barkley’s Danger Mouse took Jay-Z and mashed it up with the Beatles and became one of the most downloaded bootlegs of all time. Now, a DC-based DJ named DJ Doc Rok has made a CD which mixed Jay-Z’s new album ‘American Gangster’ with some classic Led Zeppelin tracks. It’s a pretty cool mix.
Jay-Z is proving to be one hot commodity for these remixes. And it’s not just with new bands like he did with Linkin Park. Even when you mix his stuff in with some of the best known classics, it still turns out great.
Mary J. Blige – Come To Me (Peace) Live On CNN – Video
Dec 12, 2007 Album, Album Release, Hip Hop, Live Music, Mary J. Blige, Music, Music Artists, Music Videos, New Single, Performance, R&B, Singers, Song, YouTube
Mary J. Blige performed on Thursday night at “CNN Heroes: All Star Tribute”. She sang “Come To Me (Peace)”, a new song from her upcoming studio album entitled “Growing Pains”
Bow Wow Gets Hospitalized
Dec 11, 2007 Bow Wow, Celebrity, Chris Brown, Concert Tour, Music, Music Artists, Performance, Photography, Rap Music, Record Label, Sean Kingston, Singers, Soulja Boy
Rapper Lil Bow Wow, oh wait, I meant Bow Wow. He’s not so little anymore. Anyway, the rapper was rushed to a Cincinnati hospital on Thursday night after he came from a performance there.
His record label issued a statement saying that the 20-year old rapper is suffering from ‘stress and exhaustion’. They also said that while his tour with Chris Brown, Sean Kingston and Soulja Boy prepares to take the stage in Chicago, he won’t be able to make it. The Sony rep does say that “He loves them and will be sure to come back to Chicago soon!”
Madonna Gives Candy
Dec 10, 2007 Album, Album Release, Album Review, Kanye West, Madonna, Music, Music Artists, New Single, Photography, Pop Music, Rumor, Singers
It’s been reported that Madonna’s next studio album, her last with new material under Warner Bros., will be released in April of 2008 and will carry the title ‘Licorice’. The disc reportedly features collaboration with Kanye West and Pharell amongst others. There’s no word whether a tour will follow but it doesn’t hurt to pray for it.
However, not long after news broke out, Madonna’s publicist Liz Rosenberg has denied reports that the Queen of Pop’s new album will be called ‘Licorice’ and that it’s coming out in April. Music industry insiders are not buzzing that the disc will be called ‘Give It To Me’.
Amy Winehouse is Queen
Dec 8, 2007 Amy Winehouse, Award, Celebrity, FOO FIGHTERS, Fergie, Grammy Award, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Mika, Music Artists, T-Pain, Timbaland
After the success of her album, a lot of people have predicted that Amy Winehouse would be the queen of the Grammy’s. And when the nominations were announced on Thursday morning, that’s what the rest of the world thought too. Wino scored the most nominations for a female with 6 nods. It’s good to know that despite all the trouble in her life, something good can still happen to Wino.Kanye West actually came out with the most nods, with 8. Five acts received 5 nods each – the Foo Fighters, Jay-Z, Timbaland, Justin Timberlake and T-Pain. In a bit of an upset, favorites like Fergie and Mika only scored a nomination each.
Pimp C’s Grieving Family
Dec 7, 2007 Famous People, Music, Music Artists, News, Pimp C, Scandal
When you lose someone you love, you just can’t help but grieve. And that’s what the Weslyn ‘Mama Wes’ Monroe, the mom of the late Pimp C, did in an interview with KFDM News.“C’s business manager found his body in his hotel room in Los Angeles and we know he died in his sleep. Past that, we don’t know anything. This is a terrible shock. Mama is just a little tougher than most, but I break too.”
She also added how she has received a great amount of support from family, friends, artists and other entertainers. “The phone won’t stop ringing. It feels good, if anything can feel good now.”
Rapper Gets Shot
Dec 7, 2007 Music Artists, News, Rap Music, Rapper, Scandal, Singers
Rapper Spice 1, a legend in the Bay Area, is in critical condition after being shot in the chest. The Hayward California Police Department is saying that the rapper, whose real name is Robert Green Jr., was seriously injured but that the injury is not life threatening.
Police are saying that there is currently no suspect regarding the shooting and no arrests have been made. Investigation on the who’s, how’s and why’s regarding Spice 1’s shooting is currently going on.
Spice 1 has collaborated with some of the biggest names in the rap industry, including Method Man, 2Pac and Ice-T.
The Spice Girls Vanishing Act
Dec 5, 2007 Black Eyed Peas, Live Music, Music Artists, Music Bands, New Single, Performance, Seal, Spice Girls, Will.I.Am
The Spice Girls, Seal, Heidi Klum and Will.I.Am of the Black Eyed Peas all had performances at the Victoria’s Secret fashion show last month. But when the special aired on CBS Tuesday night, a performance was clearly missing.
The Spice Girls performed two songs at the show, their hit ‘Stop’ and their new single ‘Headlines (Friendship Never Ends)’. However, only their rendition of ‘Stop’ made it to the broadcast.
I think that’s unfair. Seal had more than one song that made it on the air. Although in comparison to any of the songs Seal performed, ‘Headlines’ was a big bore.
Pink Gets Sued
Dec 5, 2007 Album, Album Release, Hit Songs, Live Music, Money, Music Artists, Performance, Pink, Pop Music, Punk, Rock, Rumor, Song
Pink released an album called ‘Missundazstood’ a couple of years back and now, it looks like there’s been a missundazstanding. A musician named Scratch has filed a lawsuit against the pop punk rocker for a featured performance on her hit CD.
In the lawsuit, Kyle ‘Scratch’ Jones claims that he is on Pink’s track ‘Respect’ but wasn’t paid for it. According to the suit, Scratch says he discussed payment with Pink but they never came to an agreement. He’s also claiming that his work was used on her DVD ‘Live in Europe’. He’s seeking $717,600 in damages.
A rep for Pink has released a statement regarding the matter saying “There’s nothing to say on this matter, as it is an unjustified lawsuit.”