Ne-Yo slams RnB
May 29, 2008 MTV, Music Artists, Ne-Yo, R&B, Timbaland
Ne-Yo has slammed RnB performers saying the genre has become “boring”. The Closer singer, real name Shaffer Chimere Smith claims today’s artists are too alike.
He told MTV: “RnB today is nowhere near where it used to be back in the day. Everyone’s on this copycat thing right now where all the music is beginning to sound alike and I don’t dig it.”
Ne-Yo also blames the use of the same producers making everyone sound the same.
He adds: “If you go to Timbaland for a song, then he is going to give you a Timbaland beat… No disrespect to Timbaland but if everyone eats at the same place then in a minute it’s going to get boring.”
Foxy Trades Albums
May 28, 2008 Album, Album Release, Foxy Brown
Even though Foxy Brown was once seen everywhere and anywhere pimping out her new album, the formerly incarcerated rapper now thinks that it was a very bad call. Foxy told AllHipHop.com that “This was probably the most illogical business decision I’ve ever made in my entire career … Completely ignoring my intuition.” Foxy has been in a public feud with her former manager ‘Slim’ Williams, who was responsible for putting ‘Brooklyn’s Don Diva’ together while Foxy was still in jail. Foxy has since publicly renounced the album and is now working on a new album which she is calling ‘Black Roses’.
No More Rap for Bow Wow
May 26, 2008 Bow Wow, Movies, Rapper
Another musician is hanging up his coat on music in hopes of starting a serious career in acting. According to the Hollywood Reporter, rapper Bow Wow will be joining the cast of Entourage in season 5. He says that he’s going to focus on acting full time because he wants to be like Will Smith saying “After 16 years in the music industry and six successful albums, I’ve decided to shift my energy to something else I’m passionate about, acting. I’m going to try to be the next Will Smith.” Here’s to hoping that he’s not going to emulate Will to the highest level and turn into a Scientologist too.
Ashanti on Maxim
May 23, 2008 Album, Album Release, Ashanti, R&B, Records Sale
R&B singer Ashanti is featured in the June 2008 issue of Maxim. The singer is sexily promoting her new album ‘The Declaration’ which will drop in stores on June 3. Ashanti talks about the album in her interview saying “I’m declaring that I’m here. The album is a new sound for me. I found out so much about myself working with new people. Everything had kind of been in-house for me, so I was used to having a security blanket—like Linus from Peanuts with his blue blanket. I’m declaring that it’s been four years and a lot of people had questions, but I’m here, baby.”
Janet Jackson writes book
May 21, 2008 Books, Concert Tour, Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson is writing a book about her weight struggles.
The singer is planning to document her constant battle with self-esteem issues, and discuss her fluctuating waistline.
The publication, which is set to be released in November by Karen Hunter Publishing, will include lifestyle and diet tips from Janet’s nutritionist David Allen.
Meanwhile, Janet – who turned 42 last week – has also announced plans for a tour to coincide with her latest album ‘Discipline’. The run of shows, her first in seven years, will start in September and includes dates in the US and Canada.
Janet said: “I was supposed to go on tour with the last album. We were actually in full-blown tour rehearsals at that point – learning numbers, getting everything together, set designs. I had to kind of shut everything down and go into the studio. It will definitely be a big production but it will definitely also be something that I’ve never done before, that people have never seen from me before.”
Lil Wayne’s Conspiracy Theory
May 20, 2008 Lil Wayne, Rapper
Lil Wayne recently made smartass comments on doing drugs and now he’s back with his wit by talking about the end of the world in the new issue of Blender magazine. He says “The world is about to end in 2012… ’cause the Mayans made calendars, and they stop at 2012. I got encyclopedias on the bus. The world is about to end as we know it. You can see it already. A planet doesn’t exist – there’s no more Pluto. Planes are flying into buildings – and not just the Twin Towers. Mosquitoes bite you and you die. And a black man and a woman are running for president.”
Sir Elton John has been offered $5million
May 19, 2008 Concert Gig, Elton John, Money, Performance
Sir Elton John has been offered $5million to play an hour-long gig for a female Russian tycoon.
Mega-rich Elton, 61, would pocket $1,392 a SECOND if he agrees to perform at the launch of her swish Moscow hotel. A source said: “Initially Elton turned her down because he’s so busy.
“But when the offer crossed the $3.9 million barrier it was too much to refuse, even for someone of his means. And let’s be honest, $5million buys a hell of a lot of flowers. He’s on the verge of saying yes.”
Elton would be flown to the autumn launch by private jet. Security guards would escort him to the hotel in the posh Rublyovka district; where he would play classics, thought likely to include Daniel and Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, before flying straight home.
His fee would be the record paid for a single artist for a gig.
Busta Rhymes, fire
May 17, 2008 Album Release, Busta Rhymes, Remix
Busta killed it on this one! Blacksmith Presents the Love Thirst remix
Jean Grae feat. Busta Rhymes, fire! The official release date for the
Jeanius album is 6-17 let’s go!
Lovethurst_feat.BUSTA_Clean.mp3
Madonna Gets Knocked Off
May 15, 2008 Album Review, Madonna, Mariah Carey, Records Sale
Madonna was on top of the charts last week but this week, Mariah Carey has knocked her back down. The numbers are in and the Queen of Pop’s ‘Hard Candy’ has dropped from the top spot debut to #5 in the US album charts in a mere week whereas Mariah’s ‘E=MC2’, in its 4th week of release, is I #4 this week. Madonna’s first week sales were at 280,000 and week 2 brought in 81,000 units. Mariah’s sales for week 1 alone was at 463,000. Mariah is on her second single already though so Madonna better be coming out with hers very soon if she wants to win this diva battle.
Kid Rock Loves Boys of America
Kid Rock loves himself some strippers but there is a group of people that he loves more – Boy Scouts. Stop your dirty thoughts. Troop 631 of the Oviedo Boy Scouts in Orlando, Florida had their $5,600 trailer stolen which was filled with $4,000 worth of camping gear. Kid Rock read about what happened while he was in town for his tour and told the troop that he would cut a check to help them make their summer camping trip to Tennessee. Hopefully, he didn’t pay them in all singles or he didn’t get one of those fun house buses for them to take.
DMX Busted Again
You might have heard of this before – DMX was busted again this weekend at his home in Arizona. Sheriffs even say that the rapper barricaded himself in his bedroom when police arrived to get him. He was arrested in his home in Cave Creek on 7 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty and 4 felony drug possession charges. During a search of the home, cops found a number or weapons and drugs as well as 5 pit bull puppies. According to Sheriff Arpaio, DMX attempted to lock himself in his bedroom at the time of the search warrant but eventually came out, made no further resistance and was booked.
Mariah Carey pulls Dubai concert
May 11, 2008 Concert Tour, Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey has cancelled a concert in Dubai.
The newlywed singer was due to perform in Dubai Festival City resort next Thursday (15.05.08) but has now pulled out of the show. She last performed in the Middle East country in 2004, after a rumoured concert in 2003 failed to take place.
‘Glamorous’ singer Fergie was due to perform in the resort the following day (16.05.08) as part of the ‘Divas in Dubai’ event, but her concert has also been postponed.
A spokesperson for the event said: “Mariah and Fergie are disappointed that they won’t be able to perform. They had scheduled this one special event in their calendars and were looking forward to performing for the Dubai fans.”
A statement issued by promoters said the event was cancelled due to “the extremely compressed time frame along with unforeseen logistical complications.”
Mariah has recently returned from honeymoon in Barbados with new husband Nick Cannon. The concert was scheduled to be her first performance since getting married last week.
Dave Grohl writes to Metallica
May 10, 2008 Album, Dave Grohl, FOO FIGHTERS, Metallica
Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl has posted an open letter urging metal overlords Metallica to make a “kick-ass” album.
Metallica are in the process of finishing off their new collection, the somewhat belated follow-up to 2003’s ‘St Anger’.
In the letter Grohl, a longtime fan of the trash metal pioneers, declares his love of the band and even admits his fondness of the disappointing ‘St Anger’ album.
He writes: “Hey, it’s Dave! Remember me? Yeah, I’m the guy that’s been listening to your band faithfully since 1983. I bought your first album ‘Kill ‘Em All’ from a mail order catalogue called Under The Rainbow, I think. Actually I can’t remember. It was 1983 for Christsakes! But that album changed my life and I’ve been listening to your albums ever since (even ‘St Anger’!).
“I can’t wait to hear the new shit, and no matter what you guys do I’ll always be first one at the shop waiting to hear it. I’m sure you’ll come out and blow everybody’s fuckin’ minds, because you’re fuckin’ METALLICA!
“Good luck. And don’t release it until it’s kick-ass.
Madonna World Tour Dates
May 9, 2008 Madonna, Tickets Sale, World Tour
Madonna has announced that she will launch her 27-date world tour in Cardiff, Wales
Ticket prices are going to be between $55 and $300
Madonna Tour Dates:
23-Aug – Cardiff, Millennium Stadium
26-Aug – Nice, Stade Charles Ehrmann
28-Aug – Berlin, Olympic Stadium
02-Sept – Amsterdam, Arena
04-Sept – Dusseldorf, LTU Arena
06-Sept – Rome, Olympic Stadium
09-Sept – Frankfurt, Commerzbank Arena
11-Sept – London, Wembley Stadium
20-Sept – Paris, Stade de France
03-Oct – E. Rutherford, Izod Center
06-Oct – New York City, Madison Square Garden
07-Oct – New York City, Madison Square Garden
15-Oct – Boston, TD BankNorth Garden
18-Oct – Toronto, Air Canada Centre
22-Oct – Montreal, Bell Centre
26-Oct – Chicago, United Center
30-Oct – Vancouver, BC Place Stadium
01-Nov – Oakland, Oracle Arena
04-Nov – San Diego, Petco Park
06-Nov – Los Angeles, Dodger Stadium
08-Nov – Las Vegas, MGM Grand Garden Arena
11-Nov – Denver, Pepsi Center
16-Nov – Houston, Minute Maid Park
19-Nov – Philadelphia, Wachovia Center
22-Nov – Atlantic City, Boardwalk Hall
24-Nov – Atlanta, Philips Arena
26-Nov – Miami, Dolphin Stadium
Pete Doherty is Free
May 9, 2008 Pete Doherty, Rocker, Singers
Pete Doherty walked out of Wormwood Scrubs prison in West London early Tuesday morning waving a certificate in the faces of reporters outside prison gates that claimed that he was drug free. Try not to laugh out loud. When asked if he got high in jail, he said “Well, I knew it was going to be a bit rough to start with, with the overcrowding and the medical facilities although they do their best – they are good, they can’t really cater for the average junkie…” So that’s a yes then. He also said he was buzzing to be free saying “I feel great — I’ve walked out and I don’t feel like I want to score. I want to go for a nice walk in the park instead.” This makes my eyes roll.
50 Cent Almost Mugged
May 8, 2008 50 Cent, Concert Gig, Performance, Rapper
When you’re the star of the show, in the middle of performing a concert to a sold-out crowd, would you ever think that you’d almost get mugged? A bold thief tried to steal 50 Cent’s chain in Africa recently but the rapper jumped into the crowd to get back what was rightfully his. A video has popped up on the net where you can see a concertgoer jump onto the stage during the rapper’s set and yank the chain off his neck. An insider says that what folks couldn’t see on the video was that 50 jumped off the stage, followed the thief and punched the guy who tried to mug him.
McCartney asks Jagger for advice
May 7, 2008 Mick Jagger, Paul McCartney, Rolling Stones
Sir Paul McCartney has asked former chart rival Sir Mick Jagger for advice.
The Beatles legend – who is set to embark on a world tour later this year – has reportedly approached the Rolling Stones frontman for tips on surviving life on the road, now he is in his sixties.
A source revealed: “Paul is really good friends with Mick. Despite rumours of rivalry, they’ve been mates since they started out in the sixties. Mick has advised him to take a relaxing break before he embarks on the tour and then to try and factor one or two days more than usual between shows if possible. He said that it is the travelling that is the really tiring thing.”
The Rolling Stones completed a two-year world tour in August last year, when Mick was 64. Paul – who recently finalised his divorce from Heather Mills – turns 66 next month.
Another Kanye Diva Moment
May 6, 2008 Kanye West, Rap Music, Rapper
Kanye West is definitely a raging diva over the weekend. It started with his rant on Entertainment Weekly for their shitty review of his concert and then there’s that bit of technical malfunction at his concert in Houston on Friday night. The rapper actually ended up walking off the stage in a tantrum. The side screens that the venue had to show Kanye weren’t working and they weren’t the screens that were part of his show. Kanye told the venue to “Turn the fucking screens off” but when no one did anything, he stopped the show and said “If the shits not working just turn it off” before storming off. After around a minute, he came back on stage to finish the show.
Avril’s Apology
May 4, 2008 Avril Lavigne, Concert Tour, Singers
Avril Lavigne hasn’t been known to be very caring of her fans but she still bothered to talk about her recent performance cancellation on her official blog. The singer and so-called songwriter said “I am at home right now taking it easy. I have been sick this whole tour, and now I have lost my voice. I have never canceled a show in my whole career and just had to for the first time ever. I am so sorry! I have been on the road for 60 days straight. I have had the flu 3 times and I never get sick, it just keeps going around. I think I am just run down.” She also talked about canceling other appearances like Jay Leno and Ryan Seacrest’s shows. Trust us Avril, whatever you have, whether the flu or a massive hangover, we would much rather you just stay home.
Lil Kim and the Repo Men
It’s a fallacy that only poor people get their stuff repossessed – just ask Lil Kim. New York’s CW11 news visited the rapper’s house along with a repo crew for a report focusing on the rising number of car repossessions. Apparently, Lil Kim hasn’t paid for her silver Bentley in months. When she was confronted by one of the repo men, she told them that her accountant would take care of it but her car still had to be taken away. The repo guy said that “She didn’t wanna cooperate. Basically, she told us to get off the property. We were hoping that she’d give us the keys, being that it’d be the right thing to do. It’s not her vehicle.” Too bad they weren’t there to negotiate. Cooperate or not, they’re going to take your car away.