President Obama sings with Sir Paul McCartney

President Barack Obama had a sing-a-long with Sir Paul McCartney at the White House after presenting the former Beatle with America’s highest musical award.

The stellar concert to present Macca with the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song was held in Washington last month and was screened for the first time on American TV on Wednesday night (July 28).

President Obama, whose wife Michelle and daughters Malia and Sasha were in the audience, said: “It’s hard to believe that it’s been nearly half a century since four lads from Liverpool landed on our shores and changed everything overnight.”

Sir Paul said: “There could not be a greater place for my band and I to play. It is an incredible honour. Not only to receive this award but to perform in front of this President.”

He opened the event with his song, Got to Get You Into My Life.

After that a host of stars performed his other tunes, including Stevie Wonder, The Jonas Brothers, Corrine Bailey Rae, Elvis Costello and Dave Grohl.

To finish, Sir Paul led a rendition of Hey Jude in which all the VIP guests and stars joined in.

Source: Splash News

Barack Obama ‘not in hip-hop video’

The White House has denied that US President Barack Obama has appeared in a hip-hop video.

The video for Whoomp! (There It Is), shot 17 years ago, shows a man who bears a striking resemblance to the President grinning and wearing a Compton baseball cap.

At the time the video was made, Obama was teaching constitutional law at the University of Chicago Law School, and there has been mounting speculation about whether the Commander-In-Chief could have been an extra in the party scene.

Tag Team, the duo behind the song, came out earlier this week to reject the rumours, the New York Daily News reports.

“It’s not him, White House spokeswoman Kate Bedingfield has declared.

Source: Splash News

Obamas on American Idol Gives Back

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle will be making an appearance during the American Idol charity episode, Idol Gives Back. This year, money is being raised for the Children’s Health Fund, Feeding America, Malaria No More, Save the Children’s US Programs, and the United Nations Foundation so it’s no big surprise that they are lending a hand. I’m excited about who else is going to appear on the special episode which airs on April 21. I’m kind of rooting for having the kids from ‘Glee’ over at the show. It is on FOX of course, so why the heck not?

Shakira Talks Childhood Development

Shakira recently met with President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden to discuss early childhood and development and universal healthcare. They will also be meeting again next week to talk about ideas for the Hispanic community in terms of early childhood development programs. The Colombian singer said “It was such a privilege to sit down with the President in the Oval Office to discuss our shared commitment to education and early childhood development. We agreed that investing in our children is the smartest strategy governments can use to boost economic growth, fight poverty, and promote global security and peace. We will be working closely with the President and his staff to implement his vision—for Latinos, children in the United States, and around the world.”

Jay-Z’s presidential invitation

It seems that the rapper’s music is famous even among the highest of circles. The president of the United States, Barrack Obama, is quite the fan of Jay-Z and has even extended invitations to the White House for him. However, Jay-Z has never managed to go. This is what he said on the matter: “I’ve been invited to the White House a couple of times. Hopefully, we’ll keep him for eight years so I’ll have time to get there.” Well, certainly Jay-Z would find it in his best interest to visit the White House more often. After all, who knows when Barrack Obama might actually ask him for a loan for the US… either him or Beyonce, the great musical corporations of our times.

Kennedy Center Gala Honorees

Bruce Springsteen, Robert DeNiro and Mel Brooks have been chosen to be honored at this year’s Kennedy Center Honors Gala as “extraordinary individuals whose unique and abundant artistry has contributed significantly to the cultural life of our nation and the world.” The Boss is being honored for his “gritty and honest songs that speak to the everyman”, Robert for his “legendary commitment to his characters” and Mel “for the hilarity of his movies and musicals”. The celebration of their careers will take place in Washington DC at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts with President Barack Obama and his first lady Michelle Obama in attendance.

Beyonce Talks About Inauguration

It’s been over a week since the inaugural celebration in Washington DC but people are still talking about it. Beyonce recently talked about her experience about her performance and being there saying “I can’t even describe to you how I felt. I’m actually right now fighting back tears because it’s just so emotional. I’m just so proud of my country. There are just certain people in the world that God touches, and this man was born for this. And he was born to lead us, and I just feel so inspired and so proud.” Most of her recent musings may not be good but her thoughts about the president are something that she’s not alone on.

Lady Gaga Music Video Quiz Contest!

Kiwibox.com is running a huge Lady Gaga Music Video Quiz Contest! One Grand Prize winner will win a $500 gift certificate to the Miss Sixty Store, an iPod and a signed copy of ‘The Fame’! Ten runner ups will also win signed copies of ‘The Fame’!

Plus, Lady Gaga recorded a Dear Mr. President video drop for Pepsi’s Refresh Everything campaign. Check out her special message for Barack Obama!

Lady Gaga’s Dear Mr. President Video

Enter the “Just Dance” Dance-Off on IBeatYou.com!

Beyonce Doesn’t Walk

According to Beyonce, a “diva is a female version of a hustler” but the singer refused to hustle the measly four blocks to her car. When she finished with her rehearsal for the pre-inaugural concert, Jay-Z and Beyonce discovered that the streets around the theater had been shut down by police. The cops told the couple that they’d have to walk to their waiting car four blocks away. The diva refused to walk in the cold in her heels and the cops refused to yield to her demands. However, the President’s own Secret Service gave in and let their driver come around to get the diva and her hubby to take them to their hotel so they could change and return to the theater. Crazy demanding!

Beyonce and Jay-Z star at Barack Obama inauguration-eve show

Jay-Z and Beyonce joined hands in paying tribute to Barack Obama on the eve of his inauguration by presenting an intimate one-off special concert at Washington DC’s Warner Theater on January 19.

The entire backdrop of the stage was cover with images of Obama and that drew the most cheers from a crowd which had an impressive array of guest with fans paying anywhere from $100 to $500 to join in the celebrations to mark the inauguration of their new President.

Jay-Z played select numbers like ‘Hard Knock Life’, ‘99 Problems’ & ‘Dirt Off Your Shoulder’. Beyonce though just made an electrifying guest appearance and sang ‘Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)’.

Springsteen, Bono, Beyonce to perform in Obama pre-inaugural

Big stars like Bruce Springsteen, Bono and Beyonce are set to perform during US President-elect Barack Obama’s pre-inauguration concert on January 18 at Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC. The list of celebrities who wanted to perform for Obama’s pre-inaugural and actual inauguration ceremony is endless but only a few were chosen due to the sensitivity of the event and the very tight security procedures.

The show is aptly titled “We Are The One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration” considering the united front shown by the various big stars who will grace the show. To join Springsteen, Bono and Beyonce on stage are Sheryl Crow, Stevie Wonder, James Taylor, John Mellencamp, Shakira, Josh Groban and Usher. You can also watch the show in any cable station beginning 7 PM. Event producer George Stevens said it took only 45 minutes to get three yeses from Garth Brooks, Bono and Springsteen when they were asked to perform in the show. This is however not a showbiz event but a historical moment for the Americans.

Rihanna Works with Chris Brown and Obama

Rihanna recently performed at the B96 Jingle Bash at the Allstate Arena in Chicago, Illinois last week. The 20-year old Barbadian babe belted it out along with Chris Brown, David Archuleta and Jesse McCartney. Chris has revealed some his plans for 2009 which includes a collaboration with his girlfriend Rihanna on some new music. Also in line for Rihanna, the Washington Post reveals that the RIAA is hoping to close a deal to have the singer headline the association’s January 20 inaugural charity ball for Barack Obama at Ibiza nightclub. Rihanna works with everyone from her boyfriend to the President!

It’s A New Day – will.i.am Lyrics, Video

It’s A New Day – will.i.am

I WENT TO SLEEP LAST NIGHT
TIRED FROM THE FIGHT
IVE BEEN FIGHTING FOR TOMORROW ALL MY LIFE
YEAH I WOKE UP THIS MORNING FEELING BRAND NEW
CAUSE THE DREAMS THAT IVE BEEN DREAMING HAS FINALLY CAME TRUE

ITS A NEW DAY 5X

ITS BEEN A LONG TIME COMING
UP THE MOUNTAIN KEPT RUNING
SONGS OF FREEDOM KEPT HUMMING
CHANNELING HARRIET TUBMAN
KENNEDY LINCOLN AND KING
WE GOTTA MANIFEST THAT DREAM
IT FEELS LIKE IM SWIMMING UPSTREAM
IT FEELS LIKE IM STUCK IN BETWEEN
A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE WEVE BEEN THROUGH THE HEARTACHES
AND LIVED THROUGH THE DARKEST DAYS
IF YOU AND I MADE IT THIS FAR WELL THEN HEY WE CAN MAKE IT ALL THE WAY
AND THEY SAID NO WE CANT
AND WE SAID YES WE CAN
REMEMBER ITS YOU AND ME TOGETHER

I WOKE UP THIS MORNING FEELING ALRIGHT
IVE BEEN FIGHTING FOR TOMORROW ALL MY LIFE
YEAH I WOKE UP THIS MORNING FEELING BRAND NEW
CAUSE THE DREAMS THAT IVE BEEN DREAMING HAS FINALLY COME TRUE

ITS A NEW DAY 7X

ITS BEEN A LONG TIME WAITING
WAITING FOR THIS MOMENT
ITS BEEN A LONG TIME PRAYING
PRAYING FOR THIS MOMENT
AND HOPE FOR THIS MOMENT
AND NOW THAT WE OWN IT
CLOSER IMA HOLD IT
AND I WONT LET IT GO
THIS IS FOR OUR FATHERS, OUR BROTHERS, OUR FRIENDS WHO FOUGHT FOR FREEDOM, OUR SISTERS OUR MOTHERS, WHO DIED FOR US TO BE IN THIS MOMENT
STOP AND CHERISH THIS MOMENT
STOP AND CHERISH THIS TIME
ITS BEAUTIFUL AINT IT
WE DID IT FOR HER AND HIM AND HE AND SHE AND YOU AND ME TOGETHER

YEAH I WOKE UP THIS MORNING FEELING BRAND NEW
CAUSE THE DREAMS THAT IVE BEEN DREAMING FINALLY COME TRUE
YEAH I WOKE UP THIS MORNING FEELING ALRIGHT
CAUSE WE WASNT FIGHTING FOR NOTHING
AND MALCOLM WASNT FIGHTING FOR NOTHING
AND MARTIN WASNT DREAMING FOR NOTHING
AND LINCOLN WASNT TRYING FOR NOTHING
AND CHILDREN WASNT CRYING FOR NOTHING

ITS A NEW DAY 7X

Justin Timberlake on the Campaign Trail

Justin Timberlake and girlfriend Jessica Biel got the crowd going at the ‘Last Chance for Change’ rally in Las Vegas recently. Justin told the crowd “This is not my usual stage — and I’m a little nervous. This is the first time in my life that I am endorsing a political candidate. I’m not here as a musician or an actor or that guy that writes songs. I’m not here as a Democrat or a Republican. I’m here as an American. I’m not here to tell you what to think but I urge you to think. I’m supporting Barack Obama because I’m inspired by him, by his voice, his intellect, his leadership and his judgment.”
Blogs I like to Read:

Jennifer Hudson in the Spotlight

Jennifer Hudson attended the grand opening of the Kwiat flagship boutique on Madison Avenue in New York City last week. The 26-year old singer and actress also recently sang the National Anthem at the Democratic National Convention as requested by Presidential candidate Barack Obama. Who knew he was a ‘Dreamgirls’ fan? Jen’s new self-titled album is set to drop in stores on September 30. The lead single off the album ‘Spotlight’ was written and produced by Ne-Yo and Stargate. Considering who she’s worked with, I’m pretty sure that it’s going to be a hit. I’m pretty sure Barack’s going to get himself a copy too.