General Larry Platt Lawsuit
Mar 17, 2010 Rapper
General Larry Platt better get ready for war as he has been hit with a nasty lawsuit over the comedy song ‘Pants on the Ground’. A music company called American King Music claims that they funded the singer’s recent recording session with rapper/producer Mims for the official full-length version of the song. But in the suit, the company claims that Larry and his reps “failed to take care of Platt’s obligations” but didn’t specify what exactly those obligations are. American King is suing over the music distribution agreement and expenses related to producing, writing and recording of the song. Larry’s manager says that he never made a contract with American King though but the company thinks they’re entitled to 50% of the profits from the sale of the song on iTunes.
Tags: Comedy, General Larry Platt, iTunes, Lawsuit, Mims, Music, Rapper, Singer
Mary J. Blige Does Led Zeppelin
Mar 12, 2010 Concert, Led Zeppelin, Mary J. Blige, Singer
Mary J. Blige has reportedly done two covers of Led Zeppelin songs for the international reissue of her album ‘Stronger with Each Tear’ which is due out on Monday. The singer recruited the likes of Travis Barker, Randy Jackson and guitarist Steve Vai to collaborate with her on ‘Stairway to Heaven’ and had so much fun that she decided to cover ‘Whole Lotta Love’ too. Mary said “I did Led Zeppelin’s ‘Stairway to Heaven’ and ‘Whole Lotta Love’ — it’s crazy! I am a Led Zeppelin fan. I’m not going to say I’ve been to their concerts, but I’ve listened to their music since I was a child, and it’s always moved me, especially ‘Stairway to Heaven’, and ‘Whole Lotta Love’ is just fun. I want y’all to hear it.”
Tags: Concerts, Led Zeppelin, Mary J. Blige, Music, Randy Jackson, Singer, Steve Vai, Travis Barker
D’Angelo Pleads Not Guilty
Mar 11, 2010 R&B
Washed up R&B singer D’Angelo was arrested in New York this past weekend after propositioning an undercover cop for oral sex and the guy had the fall to plead not guilty to the charges. He said in a statement that he hopes the public will “allow the American justice system to resolve the matter before jumping to any conclusions.” I don’t even think that anyone still cares about the guy anymore, much less jump to conclusions about his situation. Yeah, I don’t think so. And come on! It was already an undercover cop that he propositioned! What more proof does the justice system need?
Jermaine Jackson Wants Another Michael Jackson Tribute
Mar 10, 2010 Michael Jackson
Jermaine Jackson is planning another Michael Jackson tribute concert to be held in London marking the one year anniversary of the King of Pop’s death. The original tribute concert for the late singer was to take place in Vienna but it ended up being cancelled. Jermaine booked Wembley Arena for June 8 for a star-studded performance but performances have yet to be revealed. Jermaine said “The best way and most suitable way is to assemble the world’s largest tribute in history that is only fitting to a man who moved the hearts and souls of an unimaginable amount.” He should have given up back in Austria.
Tags: Jermaine Jackson, London, Michael Jackson, Pop, Singer, Tribute, Vienna, Wembley Arena
Beyonce Opens Cosmetology Center
Mar 9, 2010 Beyonce, Etta James, Singer
Beyonce unveiled the Beyonce Cosmetology Center at the Phoenix House in Brooklyn, New York last Friday. The 28-year old singer’s new center will offer a residential substance abuse treatment program that will teach men and women how to prepare for a career in cosmetology. This isn’t the first time that the R&B diva has worked with the Phoenix House charity. According to Forbes, Beyonce donated her acting salary from her 2008 film ‘Cadillac Records’ to the non-profit organization. In the film, Beyonce played iconic singer Etta James who struggled with drug addiction in the past. It’s obviously a cause that’s near and dear to her heart.
Tags: Abuse, Beyonce, Brooklyn, Charity, Cosmetology, Etta James, film, Forbes, New York, R&B, Singer
Whitney Houston Ignores Critics
Mar 4, 2010 Concert, Whitney Houston
After critics and concert goers have complained that Whitney Houston’s tour in Australia is an absolute disaster, the singer’s publicist released a statement saying “Whitney is in great health and having a terrific time on her tour and with her fans. Her fans were dancing and singing along with her and Whitney appreciates their support.” However, fans have been voicing their opinion on the internet and it sounds like they disagree saying “She barely finished any of her songs and talked more than she sang while trying to catch a breath, as well as stopping in the middle of her songs to get a towel, reapply makeup” and “If her voice is shot, and she knows it, how dare she get up on stage and pretend it’s not.”
Tags: Australia, Concert, Critics, Health, Singer, Tour, Whitney Houston
Ashanti Stalker Heads to Jail
Nothing says true love like a psychotic stalker texting your mom. A Manhattan Judge sentenced Devar Hurd to jail for relentlessly stalking and harassing washed up R&B singer Ashanti and her mom/manager Tina Douglas. The crazy guy claimed that he locked eyes with Ashanti at a concert in Chicago and ever since then was under the impression that they were in love. He began texting Tina raunchy images of himself masturbating and calling her, as well as Irv Gotti, in hopes to reach the singer. The judge says that Hurd has a very serious mental illness, saying “Mr. Hurd, I realize that you don’t want to hear this, but it’s obvious to me that you need help.”
Leona Lewis Causes Brit Awards Menu Change
Feb 19, 2010 BRIT, Brit Awards, Leona Lewis
Leona Lewis recently attended the Brit Awards which were held at Earls Court in London this past Tuesday. It should be interesting to note that the 24-year old singer, who happens to be a strict vegetarian, made a special request at the ceremony. Leona went on her Twitter to talk about it, saying “I was outraged 2 hear that the Brit Awards were planning 2 serve foie-gras at the ceremony. They hav now removed it from the menu,well done! In case you didn’t know, foie gras is duck that is forced fed in a sickening cruel process and is banned in the U.K.”
Tags: Brit Awards, Foie-Gras, Leona Lewis, London, Singer, Twitter, UK, Vegetarian
Shooting During Beyonce Concert
Feb 17, 2010 Beyonce, Beyonce Knowles, Concert
A number of crazy people reportedly opened fire outside of Beyonce’s concert last week. The youths involved began shooting at concert goers as they left the R&B singer’s show at the Parque de Exposicoes in Salvador, Brazil. Thankfully, none of Beyonce’s fans were injured during the terrifying incident. It leads one to question though, why would you shoot at random people? Do the people in Brazil hate Beyonce that much to want to scare music fans off? I highly doubt that. Again, it’s very fortunate that no one got hurt – Beyonce and fans alike. As a reminder to all, remember that violence is never the answer.
Drake Loves the Environment
Hip hop superstar Drake is going on a college tour beginning in April and will be promoting eco-friendly technology, teaming up with The Campus Connection Tour. During the tour, the rapper/singer will be using biodegradable materials both on his tour bus and backstage as well as making sure the dressing room accommodations and meals are all environmentally-conscious. That’s a pretty good idea. Maybe other artists will follow suit. It takes one influential person to inspire others. Let’s hope Drake’s message will reach a lot of other people who will follow suit. It’s for the greater good of people and our earth.
Usher Pushed Back Again
Feb 11, 2010 Album, Album Release, Usher
Usher’s latest CD was scheduled for release on Super Bowl Sunday but it has now been pushed back to March 30. Jive Records is refusing to release the R&B singer’s new album until he signs with new management. His former manager and mother Jonetta Patton are walked away back in November 2009. A source said “She walked away from the project because Usher had his girlfriend [and former Def Jam executive] Grace Miguel all in the mix. She [Jonetta] felt as though if she didn’t end things when she did, it would permanently affect their personal relationship.” Things could start to look up for Usher though as it is being rumored that he is going to sign with AEG Live CEO Randy Phillips.
Tags: AEG Live, CEO, Def Jam, Jive Records, R&B, Singer, Usher
Usher is Next Michael Jackson
Feb 5, 2010 Jay-Z, Michael Jackson, Usher
No one could ever fill the shoes of Michael Jackson as the King of Pop in my eyes but Jay-Z seems to think differently. The rapper has already made his nomination for the late singer’s successor – Usher. Jay-Z claims that the R&B crooner has the potential to be the next global superstar, based off the tribute that he did to Michael during the Grammys. The rapper said “I thought the Michael Jackson tribute was fantastic and I thought Usher was doing a magnificent job. I think he’s one of the guys that’s in line to, you know, fill those huge shoes. I don’t wanna put that pressure on him, but I think he’s one of the guys that’s in line to do that.” I couldn’t agree less!
Tags: Grammys, Jay-Z, Michael Jackson, Pop, R&B, Rapper, Singer, Tribute, Usher
Beyonce at the Grammys
Feb 1, 2010 Beyonce, Grammy Award
Beyonce looked absolutely stunning when she walked the red carpet at the 2010 Grammy Awards which was held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday. The singer received a record 10 nominations this year including ‘Record of the Year’ and ‘Album of the Year’. Before the event even went live on the air, Beyonce already won four wards during the pre-telecast ceremony. She won Best Contemporary R&B Album for ‘I Am… Sasha Fierce’, Best Traditional R&B Performance for ‘At Last’ and Best Female R&B Performance for her hit ‘Single Ladies’ which also won Best R&B Song. Congratulations Beyonce!
Tags: Beyonce, Grammy, Los Angeles, R&B, Singer, Staples Center
Joe Jackson Wants Money
Jan 27, 2010 Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson’s estate doesn’t want to pay Joe Jackson an allowance because the King of Pop himself didn’t want his dad to be a beneficiary under the will and Joe wants to use the money for lavish expenses and not maintenance. According to legal documents that were recently filed, estate lawyers say that Joe was never legally dependent on the late singer during his life. And according to them the so-called maintenance expenses that Joe was asking for actually include vacations, air travel, hotels, assistants and legal fees. Those aren’t really things that need maintaining. He’s just looking for any reason to mooch off of Michael’s money.
Tags: Allowance, Estate, Joe Jackson, Michael Jackson, Pop, Singer
Omarion Takes Over Judging Duties
Jan 26, 2010 Omarion
With previous judge Shane Sparks being charged with 8 counts of felony child molestation, Omarion is taking over as judge on the upcoming 5th season of America’s Best Dance Crew. The former B2K singer said “I’m so excited to be a judge on MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew. Dancing and performing is what I do and being a judge on this show will allow me to give creative feedback to the newest and hottest dancers on the rise.” Executive producer Randy Jackson is also pleased to have Omarion on board saying “Omarion is a great friend, and I am looking forward to him joining the ABDC family. Season five is going to be blazing hot!”
Tags: America’s Best Dance Crew, B2K, MTV, Omarion, Randy Jackson, Shane Sparks, Singer
Beyonce Talks Family
Beyonce is featured on the February 2010 cover of Allure magazine which hits stands on January 26. The 28-year old singer shared her plans on starting a family with her rapper hubby Jay-Z. Beyonce said “I definitely want to have a child, but I know from my nephew [Juelz] it’s a lot. I hope that those things will just happen naturally. I still haven’t had time to relax.” That’s right! She first needs to find the time to actually settle down in one place without working to even try to start a family of her own. I bet she and Jay-Z will have some cute kids though.
Tags: Allure, Beyonce, Family, Jay-Z, Magazine, Rapper, Singer
Kelis VS PETA
Jan 20, 2010 Kelis
Kelis was recently verbally attacked by PETA having received a personalized letter about the singer wearing fur. She wasn’t having any of that so she wrote a letter back to the organization via her MySpace blog. She talked about why she likes wearing fur, eating meat and how PETA should find a more worthwhile cause, saying “If u want to preach do it about something worthwhile don’t waste my time trying to save the dang chipmunk. Find a worthwhile cause like the women being maimed in these Middle Eastern countries. Or female circumcision. Or women’s rights here in America, we still get paid less for doing the same jobs as men. Quite honestly if you hate the world so much go live in the forest where no one else has to hear you complain about the perfectly good food chain the good Lord created. Everyone has the right to an opinion, and that’s mine on that! xoxo”
Tags: America, Blog, Fur, Kelis, Middle Eastern, MySpace, PETA, Singer
Fantasia Wins an Award
Jan 18, 2010 American Idol, Rihanna
Fantasia Barrino rocked the house when she performed at the Barbados Music Awards recently. The 25-year old American Idol season 3 champion took home the International Award of Excellence at the show. The singer also performed an hour long set including ‘Free Yourself’, ‘When I See You’ and even performed Barbados beauty Rihanna’s hit song ‘Umbrella’. Who knew that Fantasia could still book singing gigs, much less win awards for her music? How could she even win that award when she doesn’t have much to boast about excelling about? Either Barbados is way behind on the times or they couldn’t get anyone else to show up.
Tags: American Idol, Barbados, champion, Fantasia Barrino, Music, Rihanna, Singer
Keyshia Cole is Engaged
Jan 11, 2010 Music
It looks like Keyshia Cole wants to keep things on the traditional side. It was reported last month that the singer is expecting a baby with boyfriend, Cleveland Cavaliers player Daniel Gibson. The baby is due in March and it seems that the couple is ready to make it official as husband and wife with a baby on the way. The basketball player decided to propose to Keyshia during New Year’s Eve with the singer’s rep saying “I can confirm she is engaged and has an incredible ring.” Her rep adds that the engagement was “an absolute surprise. When he asked her to marry him, she was flabbergasted. He presented her with the ring and her mouth dropped in amazement. It’s too beautiful for words.”
Tags: Basketball, Cleveland Cavaliers, Daniel Gibson, Engagement, Keyshia Cole, New Year’s Eve, Singer
New Michael Jackson Creditor Claim
Jan 8, 2010 Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson’s estate is taking hits from all sides as more creditors are coming out with their claims. A new creditor came out earlier this week and it’s a company claiming that it’s owed money for helping the King of Pop refinance the MIJAC catalog. According to a creditor’s claim filed in LA Superior Court, the late singer’s estate owes $328,299.03 in unpaid fees to a small investment banking firm in Baltimore called Signal Hill Capital for financial services related to music publishing assets. As it was previously reported, the grand total for all of the creditors’ claims against the estate is expected to exceed $20 million.
Tags: Baltimore, Creditor, Estate, LA, Michael Jackson, Music, Pop, Singer, Superior Court