Pink Reaches Number One With “So What”
Oct 2, 2008 Album Release, Hit Songs, Pink
This week, singer/songwriter P!nk ascends to the number one position on the U.S. singles chart with her smash hit, “So What.” The irresistible rocking single tops Billboard’s “Hot 100 Singles,” “Hot Digital Songs” and “Hot Digital Tracks” charts, and is the number one radio airplay gainer for four weeks in a row, making it one of the top 10 most played songs at CHR radio stations. The David Meyers directed video is currently in rotation on VH-1, Fuse, Music Choice, and is one of the top ten videos on MTV.
“So What” was co-written by P!nk and produced by collaborator Max Martin, who worked with her on “Who Knew” and ”U + Ur Hand.” The New York Times describes the first single from her forthcoming album, Funhouse, as “guitar-charged and aggressively bouncy.” Funhouse is her fifth studio effort and is slated for release on October 28th.
Real Music People Friends Blog
NEW AKON SINGLE & ALBUM
Sep 29, 2008 Akon, Album Release, New Single
Akon is back with his new smash single “Right Now (na na na)”, off of his upcoming album Freedom, dropping on 11/25.
MIA Returns
Sep 10, 2008 Album Release, MIA
Most news of musicians taking back their farewells and coming out of retirement are so cheesy for me but in the case of MIA, all I can say is – it’s about time! British by way of Sri Lanka musician MIA will be making another album. She proclaimed her so-called retirement at the Bonaroo Music Festival earlier this year. However, since the fest, her song ‘Paper Planes’ has found a new audience and there’s now a huge demand for more of her music. She told Entertainment Weekly “Well, [Bonaroo] it was my last ever show. And it still is. I stopped touring after that and I didn’t want to make music again. I was quite happy to just leave it all behind. I was happy with what I had achieved. Now, with the success of “Paper Planes,” there’s pull for me to make another record. Even my mum believes in me more [laughs]. It’s a nice encouragement. But I was planning my life as a fishing woman on the outskirts of Cambodia. That’s a joke.”
Rappers United – Jay-Z
Aug 4, 2008 Album Release, Hip Hop, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Rapper, Timbaland
The divas of hip hop are reuniting as reports say that Jay-Z is set to work with both Kanye West and Timbaland on sessions for his new album. And here you thought he was retiring already. Early reports say that Jay-Z’s new stuff was going to be produced solely by Timbo but the hip hop star has revealed that the sessions are more of a musical competition between his peers. Jay says “I’m a person that works off music. If Timbaland makes 10 great tracks then he produces the album, if Kanye West makes 10 great tracks then he produces the album; if he makes three, I’ll take three. I let the music dictate the direction. You know I love Timbaland, he is like a brother to me, but until the music is done it’s premature.”
Coldplay’s album No.1 in 36 countries
Jul 14, 2008 Album Release, Album Review, Coldplay, Records Sale, iTunes
Coldplay’s album Viva La Vida has to date been the No.1 selling album in 36 countries around the world, including in the U.S., where it held the top spot for two weeks, and in the U.K. where the album has been No.1 for the last four weeks.
Coldplay’s previous album, the 10 million-selling X&Y, reached No.1 in 32 countries in 2005.
In a number of countries, including the U.K., France, Germany and Japan, first week sales of Viva La Vida exceeded those of X&Y, and Viva La Vida has already been certified gold or platinum in 31 countries including platinum in the USA, Germany and Australia and double platinum in the U.K. and Canada.
In many countries Viva La Vida held the top spot on the album chart in its second week, including in the USA, U.K., Australia, Canada, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Holland, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland and New Zealand.
Viva La Vida set the record for the highest first week album sales ever on the iTunes Store worldwide, in addition to being the biggest album pre-order in iTunes’ history. In the U.S., 288,000 week one sales were digital downloads, the biggest ever first week sales tally for a digital album, and with 394,000 digital albums sold in the first three weeks, Viva La Vida is the all time best selling digital album in the States. U.S. over the counter sales for Viva La Vida across all formats have now exceeded 1.1 million according to Nielsen SoundScan.
In the U.K. Viva La Vida is the fastest-selling album of the year with over the counter sales of more than 600,000 since its release on 12 June, while in Germany the album is already the biggest selling release of the year as well as the fastest.
Coldplay will launch their North American tour with two sold out dates in Los Angeles on July 14th and 15th.
Prince Sues his Devotees
Jun 30, 2008 Album Release, Prince, Singers
50 artists recently recorded Prince covers in honor of his 50th birthday this past June 7th. Unfortunately for them, their attempt at an honor has gotten them lawsuits. The irony of it all is that it’s Prince who’s suing them. The purple one’s lawyers are demanding that all copies of the tribute album be destroyed immediately. One single has made it into the top 10 in Norway and the Norwegian press has given popular reviews on the album, so what’s the problem? By law, it’s legal to cover songs of someone else’s material so long as you pay about a 10 cent licensing fee per song. Apparently, that hasn’t been done and no one has made any money from the project.
Snoop Dogg Talks Detox
Jun 30, 2008 Album Release, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Tracklist
Snoop Dogg was on Big Boy’s Neighborhood on LA’s Power 106 on Wednesday where he said that he recently recorded tracks for Dr. Dre’s highly anticipated and long-delayed new album ‘Detox’. Snoop said “That record is real, it’s coming. You know me, I was starting to doubt it myself and then I went up in there and he played so much music for me it knocked my head off. I see what he got them waiting for, it’s on and poppin. He got records, he got heat.” Snoop has also confirmed that the 10 years in the making project was finished and the Dre was already selecting tracks for the final product.
Stone Temple Pilots Lawsuit
Jun 19, 2008 Album Release, Billboard Chart, Rock, Rocker, Stone Temple Pilots
In the music industry, no one is safe from a lawsuit, not even if you’re on their payroll. Rockers Scott Weiland and Eric Kretz of Stone Temple Pilots have been sued by their own record label Atlantic. According to Billboard, the suit claims that lead singer Scott and drummer Eric have threatened to stop performing under their contract and indicated that they would like to end the agreement unless the label makes significant changes. The company wants the group to record a 7th album and deliver up to 2 more if Atlantic decides it wants them. The band has come out with a statement regarding the matter saying that the were surprised by the suit as they were in the middle of what was believed to be cordial discussion on making a new album. They also denied the claims that they threatened to terminate their contract.
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’.
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.”
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
Janet Jackson Gets Fierce
Mar 14, 2008 Album Release, Diva, Janet Jackson
We all know that Madonna and Janet have a very icy relationship. With the recent release of Janet’s album and Madonna’s promotion of her upcoming album, it almost seems like we have the diva version of Kanye West and 50 Cent. They even have fierce covers to go against each other. Janet brought her own fierceness in the new issue of BlackBook Magazine. The diva was shot by glam master Matthew Rolston for the S&M inspired shoot. Miss Jackson works it in her photos! I wonder if she’s actually into S&M – her pics are too believable for her to not be.
Maxim Does it Again
Feb 29, 2008 Album Release, Album Review, Black Crowes, Nas
Maxim garnered a strike when they did a music review for the Black Crowes’s new album ‘War Paint’ without listening to the album. They have since apologized for the screw up but it doesn’t prevent them from doing it again. And that they did. Maxim has done a review for rapper Nas’ new album even though he hasn’t even finished recording it yet. Maxim has also apologized for the review but Nas doesn’t seem to care saying “I’d prefer [a review from] Playboy. That kind of stuff doesn’t reach my radar or affect anybody around me. I don’t know what a music rating from Maxim is . . . I don’t know what it even means really.”
Leona Lewis in the US
Jan 31, 2008 Akon, Album Release, Debut, Hit Songs, Leona Lewis, Music Videos
X-Factor champion Leona Lewis has already taken the UK by storm and is even one of the best selling artists of 2007 on that side of the pond. Now, she’s set to release her debut album ‘Spirit’ in the US on April 28th. And she has some extra things in store.
Sources say that the singer is currently busy in the studio recording two brand new songs for the US release. One song, ‘Forgive Me’, is by singer/producer Akon and another is ‘Misses Glass’ by cutting edge producers/writers Madd Scientist and Rock City. Additionally, Leona has also re-recorded the video for ‘Bleeding Love’.
Lenny Kravitz wants to duet with Beatle
Jan 30, 2008 Album Release, Beatles, Lenny Kravitz, News, Paul McCartney
Lenny Kravitz wants to duet with Sir Paul McCartney. Well who wouldn’t?
The ‘American Woman’ singer, who owns a mixing desk from London’s Abbey Road Studios, famously used by The Beatles, wants the legendary musician to fly out to his Miami home to record a song with him.
Lenny said: “All the Beatles’ albums were recorded on that mixing desk and I got it when my first album ‘Let Love Rule’ came out in 1990, as I came into a bit of money. I’d seen a documentary in England made about it by one of the sound engineers and I knew I had to have it. It’s an incredible piece of gear. At the time I blew all of my money on it but if you offered me $10 million for it today I wouldn’t take it.
“When you see pictures of John Lennon sitting at the desk it’s just priceless. I’d love to bring Paul McCartney back to my place and make a record with him. How cool would that be?”
Kravitz’s new album ‘It’s Time For A Love Revolution’ is released next month.
Diva Firsts – Mariah Carey
Jan 22, 2008 Album, Album Release, Diva, Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, New Single, Song, lyrics
DefJam had a listening session in London on Wednesday wherein most of Mariah Carey’s and Janet Jackson’s new albums were played. Label boss Antonio ‘LA’ Reid was said to be very excited about both of them and even mentioned plans for six singles to come off from Mariah’s ‘That Chick’.
One reviewer gave both albums a 6 out of 10 rating. If you’ve heard Janet’s single ‘Feedback’, the rest of her album is pretty much that but there are also signs of the singer who once sang ‘Let’s Wait a While’ as well as a bit of sleaze. Mariah’s effort was said to be more polished and commercial than Janet’s work and that her lyrics aren’t really up to par.
Robbie Williams teases fans
Jan 17, 2008 Album Release, Hit Songs, New Single, Pop Music, Robbie Williams, Song
Robbie Williams recently revealed in his blog that he has lots of new songs in the bag, despite no plans to release them at this time.
I can reveal the best of it is written with Jankel who was behind the 1978 smash hit Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick along with Ian Dury. I’ve heard it’s some of Robbie’s best ever stuff – which makes it even more frustrating for fans he is in no rush to release it.
Last year Robbie returned to the studio with ‘Angels’ co-writer Guy Chambers. But that hasn’t worked out and it’s Jankel’s work that will form the basis of Robbie’s comeback – whenever that may be.
A source revealed: “Robbie and Chaz have been working on some great stuff. “It’s back to Robbie’s funky best. Out of all of his new tunes, the Chaz stuff is the best. Currently his problem is that he has lots of different music that he’s worked with different people on. It all sounds very different so it doesn’t really sit very well as an album. “
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.
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.
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”