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Archive for February, 2008
Pete Wentz Cares
Posted in Ashlee Simpson, Fall Out Boy, Pete Wentz, Rock on the February 29, 2008
If you think Pete Wentz is all about hair products and being Ashlee Simpson’s pimp and/or arm candy, think again. The Fall Out Boy bassist actually cares. Pete was in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday with Invisible Children – the non-profit organization aimed at raising awareness of the plight of children displaced by the bloody war in the Central African nation of Uganda. The so-called invisible children are kidnapped from their homes and forced to fight in the war. Pete was able to meet with members of congress including Senator Russell Feingold to try and bring more attention to the very serious issue.
Friends fear for Amy Winehouse
Posted in Amy Winehouse, Divas, Drugs, Grammy Awards on the February 28, 2008
Friends are begging troubled Amy Winehouse to return to rehab; fearing that she is “getting back to her worst”.
The singer’s inner circle has watched her slowly return to her old ways since she left a clinic earlier this month. Even jailbird husband Blake Fielder-Civil has threatened to ban her from visiting him because he is convinced she is still taking crack cocaine.
A friend said: “Amy’s in an awful state again, she’s clearly on drugs. Many of us think full-time residential rehab is the only option but she won’t go back.”
The star’s worried loved ones held crisis talks this week. Amy, 24, has a history of self-harming while high on drugs and scratches have been visible on her left arm. She also displayed mystery marks and spots on her knuckles and hands when she went out to the shops in London this week and bought kids’ sweets.
Pals believe her rehabilitation, which came after she was exposed taking crack in January, was not taken seriously enough. A source said: “She was smoking cannabis and drinking heavily as soon as she left rehab. That has now increased. Everyone who’s seen her in the last week or so has been really disturbed by the state she’s in. She’s getting back to her worst. It was hoped her new album and fashion range would keep her focused but it hasn’t worked.”
Amy walked out of rehab to perform at the Grammys via satellite from London two weeks ago
Jordin Sparks has No Air
Posted in American Idol, Chris Brown, Jordin Sparks, MTV on the February 27, 2008
Jordin Sparks was on TRL for their ‘Spankin’ New Ladies Week’ at the MTV Times Square Studios in New York City on Monday. She performed her new single ‘No Air’ which features Chris Brown. There was no Chris who performed with her though. The 18-year old American Idol champ also premiered the video for her new single.
Honestly, does anyone still care for the girl or what she does? I’m predicting another fallen idol in the horizon. It looks like Carrie Underwood is the only one left who’s still going strong. Country definitely has its benefits as it’s the highest selling on all music genres right now.
Ne-Yo Gets Busted
Posted in FUNNY, Ne-Yo, News, Photography, R&B, Scandal on the February 26, 2008
Cops are certainly getting their work cut out for them by celebrities. It seems that there’s one celebrity getting arrested each week. The most recent is R&B singer Ne-Yo. The singer, whose real name is Shaffer Smith, was arrested on Tuesday in Cobb County, Georgia for reckless driving and for not having a valid license.
As far as his mug shot goes, I have only one thing to say. Now I know why he’s always wearing beanies and hats. What the heck is up with that receding hairline? Someone needs to rush to the Hair Club for Men. Maybe that’s why he was speeding.
Rihanna at Brit Awards
Posted in Music Award, Performance, Rihanna, Song on the February 23, 2008
Rihanna kept it young and fresh in a shiny silver Dolce & Gabbana dress at the 2008 Brit Awards which was held at Earls Court in London on Wednesday. I’m still not that much into her choice of clothes for the red carpet but at the very least, this is better than the last couple of red carpet looks she’s had.
The Barbados singer performed on the show by teaming up with an unlikely partner in the form of British band Klaxons. They teamed up for a mash-up of her hit song ‘Umbrella’ and their song ‘Golden Skans’. With the number of ‘Umbrella’ renditions, she has to make hers different every time.
Jonas Brothers Rock the Future
Posted in Jonas Brothers, Music Bands, Performance, Record Label, Rock on the February 21, 2008
20-year old Kevin, 18-year old Joe and 15-year old Nick, collectively known as the Jonas Brothers, performed at the Chevy Rocks the Future event at the Buena Vista Lot at The Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California on Tuesday. Chevy introduced its lineup of gas-friendly and gas-free vehicles as well as new green technology at the event.
Those Jonas boys just love being nice. Nick said “Being eco-friendly is important to us. We worked with our record label to come up with the first-ever CD-VU+ format, a 100-percent recyclable package.” I never even knew such a thing existed in the music industry.
Jennifer Lopez Bans hospital staff from birth room
Posted in Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, Rumor on the February 20, 2008
No, no, no - it doesn’t mean that she doesn’t want them there when she is delivering; it means she doesn’t want the room used until she arrives. That’s celebrity madness if ever I heard it.
The ‘Do It Well’ singer is set to give birth to twins, her first children with husband Marc Anthony, later this month, and has asked staff at Long Island’s North Shore Medical Centre not to use the room until she arrives.
A source said, “There is a room, which even has a brown leather couch, that has been sitting empty for two weeks now. No one is even allowed in there until she gets here. It’s just sitting there for her.”
The hospital has reportedly prepared an entire suite for the 38-year-old star, complete with wooden flooring and a giant TV. It was recently revealed the hospital has been put on kidnap alert.
Staff have been undertaking specialist ‘Code Pink’ drills to ensure they are prepared in case anyone attempts to snatch Jennifer’s babies. A friend of the ‘Monster-In-Law’ star said: “Jennifer Lopez has spoken so much about how excited she is about the birth that anyone who is considering a kidnapping knows how far she would be willing to go to get her babies back.”
50 Cent Pays Child Support
Posted in 50 Cent, Rapper, Rumor on the February 19, 2008
Curtis ’50 Cent’ Jackson won a significant battle for money this past week. A judge ruled in the rapper’s favor in a dispute with baby momma Saniqua Tomkins over child support for their 10-year old son Marquis. His ex-lover was asking for $50,000 a month but was granted just half when the court viewed her and her son’s expenses. The figure got reduced even further to $6,700 a month. That serves the gold digger right. But let’s all hope that 50’s set up some kind of trust fund for his kid. The mom may not deserve the money but the kid sure does.
Mark Ronson making no money
Posted in Concert, Grammy Awards, Mark Ronson on the February 18, 2008
Music producer Mark Ronson has been warned by his manager to cut back on his huge entourage; because he is not making enough money to keep them on tour.
Despite being among this year’s Grammy winners with his own gong for Producer Of The Year the Valerie hitmaker is failing to make money from touring.
But Ronson is putting his lack of earnings down to the fact that he brings too many friends on tour with him, which is clawing away at his profits.
He says, “My manager is annoyed with me, because I always bring so many people on tour with me. The costs are so high that I never make money from touring, but I don’t really care about that. If we can break even, I’m fine. This isn’t my day job. Producing records is my day job.”
Rihanna Celebrates
Posted in Chris Brown, Grammy Awards, Party, Rihanna on the February 16, 2008
Rihanna celebrated her 20th birthday with a cupcake fight. Classy huh?
The ‘Umbrella’ singer, who doesn’t turn 20 until next Wednesday, was partying with friends including Kanye West and actor Wilmer Valderrama at Los Angeles’ Les Deux nightclub when the food fight began on Tuesday night.
An onlooker said: “There was cupcake frosting all over Rihanna’s face and the group was hysterically laughing to the point of almost tears!” Chris Brown, who is rumoured to be dating Rihanna, was later given a standing ovation after he sang her an acapella version of ‘Happy Birthday’.
Despite Chris insisting he and Rihanna are “just friends”, onlookers at the exclusive club said the pair were “cuddling and acting very cosy all night”. The couple also attended the Grammys together last weekend and stocked up on goody bags.
When they realised they might be photographed together, Chris insisted they should leave. A Grammys source said: “Chris was telling her they needed to go, and in seconds they were gone.”
Hospitalization for Prodigy Keeps Him Out of Jail
Posted in News, Prodigy, Rapper on the February 15, 2008
I wouldn’t have thought to enter the hospital to stay out of jail. Prodigy, a rapper for G-Unit, was supposed to have turned himself in yesterday on a 3 1/2 year rap for possesion of a gun. However, he’s out for at least another week while he is in the hospital suffering from complications of sickle cell anemia.
He’s already been out an extra month. He is suffereing from severe lung pain and may end up having to have a hip replacement.
A judge will rule next week as to whether he remains in the hospital or has the surgery in a state prison system.
Kylie Minogue’s Cover Up
Posted in Concert, Fashion, Kylie Minogue, Pop Music on the February 14, 2008
Australian pop star Kylie Minogue is planning on toning down her sexy image and opting for more a more demure look ahead of her 40th birthday.
The singer, who will celebrate the landmark birthday in May, is known for her flamboyant tour costumes. But her stylist reveals she is planning on dressing more modestly for her upcoming European tour later this year.
William Baker, who is credited with Minogue’s fashion-conscious style, says the star will be working with top designer Jean Paul Gaultier to create a more mature look.
He says, “The next tour will see Kylie ageing gracefully. She’s celebrating her 40th birthday this year so what we have planned is to move in the right direction. We’re working with Jean Paul Gaultier on the costumes - he designed Madonna’s Blonde Ambition tour. The outfits he designs are incredibly sophisticated. It’s difficult in pop to remain young so what’s the point?”
KT announce Forrest dates
Posted in Album Release, Concert, Hit Song, KT Tunstall, Solo on the February 14, 2008
The fantastic KT Tunstall has announced two concerts as part of the Forestry Commission’s forest tour this summer.
The past 3 years have been a hectic time for KT Tunstall as she has become established as a phenomenally successful artist both sides of the Atlantic. Her debut album ‘Eye To The Telescope’ has sold over 4 million copies to date including over 1.5 million in the UK alone.
Critical acclaim includes a Brit Award for Best British Female Solo Artist, The Ivor Novello Best Song award for writing ‘Suddenly I See’ and a Q award for Track of the Year for ‘Black Horse and the Cherry Tree’. Chart success continues with the release of her latest album ‘Drastic Fantastic’ including the hit singles ‘Saving My Face’ and ‘Hold On’.
KT, who is extremely committed to green issues, has signed up to the GlobalCool campaign and even has her own 6,000-strong forest of trees in Scotland. These concerts will be supporting the Forestry Commission’s valuable social and environmental programmes.
The 50th Annual Grammy Awards Winners
Posted in Grammy Awards on the February 13, 2008
The 50th Annual Grammy Awards are over and the winners are in.
Here’s a list :
Album of the Year: “River: The Joni Letters,” Herbie Hancock.
Record of the Year: “Rehab,” Amy Winehouse.
Song of the Year: “Rehab,” Amy Winehouse
New Artist: Amy Winehouse.
Producer of the Year, Non-Classical: Mark Ronson.
Pop Vocal Album: “Back to Black,” Amy Winehouse.
Female Pop Vocal Performance: “Rehab,” Amy Winehouse.
Male Pop Vocal Performance: “What Goes Around…Comes Around,” Justin Timberlake.
Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals: “Makes Me Wonder,” Maroon 5.
Rock Song: “Radio Nowhere,” Bruce Springsteen, songwriter (Bruce Springsteen).
Rap Album: “Graduation,” Kanye West.
Rap Solo Performance: “Stronger,” Kanye West.
Natalie Says Amy Winehouse Shouldn’t Have Won
Posted in Amy Winehouse, Grammy Awards, Music Award, Natalie Cole, Song on the February 12, 2008
All I can say is, Natalie, honey, you better stay the heck away from London. Otherwise, Amy might go crazy on you.
Natalie Cole is speaking out against what she calls “rewarding bad behavior.” The singer says Amy Winehouse should never have been awarded five Grammy awards, especially for Song of the Year. She said, “I don’t think she should have won. I think it sends a bad message to our young people who are trying to get into this business, the ones who are trying to do it right and trying to keep themselves together.”
Natalie says she lost five years of her life to substance abuse and she feels for Amy. “I mean, she could die. This is about discipline and hard work, and you don’t get to just do your drugs and go onstage and get rewarded.”
Miley Cyrus for Timbaland at a private pre-Grammy party
Posted in Grammy Awards, Miley Cyrus Hannah Montana, Timbaland on the February 11, 2008
Miley Cyrus showed up to help Verizon Wireless and People Magazine to honor Timbaland at a private pre-Grammy party event in Hollywood on Friday. Timbaland is actually helping Verizon launch its Mobile Producer in Residence program wherein he will use Verizon Wireless’ V Cast service to launch an entire mobile album through the course of 2008. The plan is for Timbaland’s mobile album to be directly and exclusively offered to Verizon Wireless customers. He plans to start production of his mobile album at the start of March and would collaborate with a new guest artist on one track each month. Now that is a marketing strategy that’s clear even before it hit me in the face.
Jay-Z and Mary J. Blige are going on tour together!
Posted in Concert, Hip-Hop, JAY-Z, Mary J. Blige, R&B, Rap Music on the February 11, 2008
This should be hot! Jay-Z and Mary J. Blige are going on tour together. The pair of hip hop and R&B icons will be going on a 26-date trek across America. The tour will kick off in Miami on March 22 and will wrap up in May.
Jay-Z released a statement talking about the joint tour and the songs they will be performing. He said “The (songs) we’re playing are the soundtracks to people’s lives. We’ve poured our hearts out many a night in the studio and look forward to going one step further on stage.” I can’t wait for it.
Natasha Bedingfield’s Beehive
Posted in Concert, Natasha Bedingfield on the February 9, 2008
It seems hanging out over the pond does wonders for your looks and grooming. Natasha Bedingfield is enjoying huge success in the states and seems to be aiming for new heights…or that could just be the hair.
Sporting a beehive barnet and a little blue dress, the ‘Soulmate’ singer looked fabulous at the fourth annual benefit concert for the Peapod foundation – the Black Eyed Peas’ children’s charity – in Hollywood on Thursday.
I don’t remember her looking this fab before she left Britain, perhaps a few other stars could take the hint and let the US make them over. Pete Doherty springs to mind…
Lily Allen in Tears
Posted in Album Release, Lily Allen, TV Show on the February 8, 2008
Lily Allen was caught by photographers just as she bursts into tears during a phone conversation after leaving a recording studio in London on Wednesday. I wonder if the call was with ex-boyfriend Ed Simons who just recently dumped her. And I wonder if she got dumped because of the miscarriage she suffered. Anyway, a candy fix and a trip to a bathroom fixtures store seemed to cheer Lily up so I’m not going to ask anymore. But for those wondering about how she’s doing, a friend of Lily’s has revealed that “She is feeling fine. She is throwing herself into her work on her new album and TV show.”
Ciara and Janet Jackson Duet
Posted in Ciara, Duet, Hip-Hop, Hit Song, Janet Jackson, R&B on the February 6, 2008
Doing remakes of very popular songs was the trend of 2007 when many artists from different genres of music put their own twist on Rihanna’s massive hit single ‘Umbrella’. But it looks like it’s not going to be the big thing for music in 2008.
Robyn was the first to make a duet out of a new song when she reworked one of Snoop Dogg’s newest songs into a duet. Mind you, her take on it was hot. Now, Ciara has followed her lead and did a duet version of Janet Jackson’s ‘Feedback’. And much like Robyn and Snoop’s so-called duet, the R&B/hip hop singer’s so-called duet with Janet is the hotness!