One a Mickey Mouse Clubber, always a Mickey Mouse Clubber… or so things go for Justin Timberlake who is apparently going to be receiving an award at Saturday’s Kids’ Choice Awards. The prize the singer will be receiving is called the Big Help Award and it is due to his environmental and charitable efforts. This is what Justin Timberlake had to say on the matter: “I was inspired at a young age by my parents and family to do everything possible to give back to the world around us. And it has become a mission of mine to help kids of all ages understand the importance of getting involved in their communities and local charities and doing their part to preserve the planet.” Well, it’s no Oscar but Justin Timberlake is going to have to make do with it for the time being.
Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker has recently premiered the music video for his song “Can a Drummer Get Some”. The track is the lead single from the rock star’s debut solo album which was released earlier this Month. The song features verses by rappers The Game, Rick Ross and Lil Wayne, while Swizz Beatz is in charge of the hook. The song isn’t half bad but I’m afraid it’s going to flop. I say Travis should just forget about this solo project and focus on the upcoming Blink 182 album and tour. He’s a great musician but he’s not as noteworthy as he is with the band.
Travis Barker Feat. Swizz Beatz, Game ,Lil Wayne & Rick Ross – Can a Drummer Get Some – New Video
Russell Brand admits that married life can be ‘tricky.’ The British comic married pop star Katy Perry last year and admits he is still adjusting to his new domestic situation. “When I fell in love I changed from a philandering rascal to this gentleman,” Brand said on America’s Today Show. “Katy is gorgeous. Before I met her I was skylarking around and this didn’t used to be a keychain,” added Brand fingering a bondage-style keychain he had given to host Meredith Vieira. “I love it. It is like having a good friend, and when you talk about something on Wednesday, on Thursday it is the same person you are telling not a new person who doesn’t know about Wednesday. “The challenges are that if you are married to someone you have to do what they ask you all the time. Women change the rules every day, you have to apologise a lot. It is tricky but I love it.”
ABC’s Good Morning America just aired Britney Spears’ mini concert which was taped last Sunday at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco. The three song set included the pop singer’s new songs “Hold it Against me”, “Big Fat Bass” and “Till the World Ends”. In this manner, Britney officially kicks off the promo rounds in support of her new album “Femme Fatale” which is out in stores now. She also announced the first dates of her upcoming world tour on GMA. Brit will tour the US during the summer with international dates soon to follow. Catch her later on Jimmy Kimmel Live and MTV’s Las Vegas special next Sunday.
Britney Spears – Hold it Against Me – Concert Video
Britney Spears – Big Fat Bass – Concert Video
Britney Spears – Till the World Ends – Concert Video
The recently discovered singer has just released her first music video for the song “This is what Rock’n’Roll Looks Like”. It’s a bit hard to believe that Porcelain Black was discovered by Lil’ Wayne… she looks a bit more like something Marilyn Manson would promote… well, apart from the dance elements and moves in the video and the song. Lil’ Wayne of course wasn’t going to let Porcelain Black do all of this by herself so he pitches in on the music video a bit as well. The video itself borders somewhere between interesting and annoying: on the one hand you have this weird girl who’s a cross between Lady GaGa and Marilyn Manson, at least at first glance, and her singing’s a bit off too, but not annoying. On the other hand, you have the same old party video with lots of enticing females and what have you. The song doesn’t sound too bad either: a cross between the dance of decades past and something that kind of sounds like Rock’n’Roll. This one is probably going to have a very polarized following.
Porcelain Black featuring Lil Wayne – This is What Rock n Roll Looks Like
Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow are making me think that they used to be an item – were they or weren’t they? Anyway, the chemistry between the two singers is undeniable especially after having a look at the music video for their latest collaboration “Collide”, which is included on Kid Rock’s latest album “Born Free”. The song is the fifth single to come off of the late 2010 release. I’m totally feeling the sweet country rock sound. Kid Rock and Sheryl sound amazing together. I think they should do more songs together. The video just oozes of some chemistry and love.
Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow – Collide – New Video
After the shutdown of the popular P2P music/file sharing program Limewire, the NPD Group is reporting that there’s a drop in overall piracy. Here are some details: “File sharing activity fell from 12% of U.S. Internet users in the third quarter of last year-the last quarter the service was active-to 9% in the fourth quarter after the service was shut down. NPD estimates that’s 12 million more people downloading music illegally then there are today. In that same time, NPD says the average number of music files downloaded from P2P services fell from 35 tracks per user to 18.” Limewire had been around for so long that its shut down has had a huge effect.
Rihanna’s tour may not be doing so well in the US but she’s doing great in the UK. It has just been announced that the R&B singer will play a ninth concert at the O2 Arena in London , scheduled for December 22. The tickets have gone on sale today so make sure you snatch them up. If her ticket sales for the UK are anything to go by, they’re going to get sold out pretty quickly. If you’re one to keep count, Rihanna has now beat out pop star Britney Spears who managed to do eight shows at the O2 on her Circus tour.
John Legend has gone ahead and paid tribute to Adele. The Grammy-winning singer has recently unveiled a stunning a cappella cover of the British star’s smash hit “Rolling in the Deep”. Adele’s latest album “21” has reclaimed the top spot of the Billboard 200. Whether John’s cover is an attempt to gain publicity, there’s no denying that he did amazingly on it. Some may say that it sounds too close to the original but the final result was still hot. It’s soulful, powerful and very good. The backup vocals were right on point too. I wonder what Adele thinks of the cover. I actually hope that they record the song as a duet after hearing John sing it.
John Legend – Rolling in the Deep – New Cover
Jennifer Hudson returned to the show that opened the doors of stardom for her. The now Oscar-winning actress and Grammy-winning R&B singer performed her single “Where You At” on American Idol’s results show last night. The girl has been everywhere in support of her “I Remember Me” album but the constant travels and performances seems to not affect her as Jennifer sounded stunning on the show. And if you thought that her male backup singer looked familiar, it’s actually George Huff. He was also a former AI contestant, appearing on the same season as Jennifer. He may not have made it big but he’s still singing with the best of them.
Jennifer Hudson – Where You At – AI Performance Video
Here are all performances from the two nights ago. Casey Abrams sang “I Heard it through the Grapevine”. Thia Megia performed “Heat Wave”. Jacob Lusk sang “You’re All I Need to Get By”. Lauren Alaina took on “You Keep Me Hanging On”. Stefano Langone sang “Hello”. Haley did “You’re Really Got a Hold on Me”. Scott McCreery sang “For Once in My Life”. Pia Toscano did “All in Love is Fair”. Paul McDonald did “Tracks of My Tears”. Naima sang “Dancing in the Street”. And finally, James Durbin did “Living for the City”
American Idol “Motown Week” Top 11
Casey Abrams: I Heard It Through The Grapevine American Idol – “Motown Week” Top 11
Thia Megia Heat Wave – American Idol – “Motown Week” Top 11
Jacob Lusk – You’re All I Need to Get By – American Idol – “Motown Week” Top 11
Lauren Alaina – You Keep Me Hanging On – American Idol – “Motown Week” Top 11
Kat Deluna has recently premiered the music video for “Dancing Tonight”. The song is the new single from the singer’s “Inside Out” album and the song she has chosen to try and crack the US market again. As you may know, Kat released her album only in certain European countries last year. “Dancing Tonight” will be released this week on US iTunes. The video is out now and expect the her “Inside Out” CD to hit stores some time this Summer. I like the song but I don’t think it’s strong enough to be given the single treatment. The video was pretty cute though.
Kat Deluna – Dancing Tonight – New Video
My Chemical Romance have chosen the amazing “Planetary (Go!)” as the third official single to come off of their latest album “Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys”. The new single will be released in the UK and US next week. For that reason, the rock band has recently premiered the music video for the song. It’s disappointing though. I love the song like no other but I hate when live performances are turned into music videos. Compared to their previous videos from this era, this new one just leaves much to be desired. But I still hope that the new single would get a high spot on the charts.
My Chemical Romance – Planetary (Go!) – New Video
Lady Gaga answered a ton of questions from fans during an exclusive interview with Google. I think that the princess of pop is the first singer of worldwide success to do it. The interview was taped at the internet company’s headquarters in San Francisco on Tuesday. During the over 1 hour talk, Lady Gaga discussed her fans, her music and revealed details on her upcoming “Born This Way” album, which is due out on May 23. It’s an interesting watch. In related news, Lady Gaga will be shooting the music video for her next single “Judas” on April 1. I can’t wait to see that one.
Lady Gaga – Google Interview – Video
Far East Movement has a new song out called “Make it Bump” which features Japanese pop singer Koda Kumi. The hip hop group has released their major label debut album called “Free Wired” today and what better way to give it an extra commercial push than recording a track with a popular local artist. The song is featured as a bonus track on the Japanese edition of Far East Movement’s album. It’s a sexy club banger with a bounce electro pop beat. Koda Kumi takes over for the chorus where she sings parts in English and Japanese. I like it.
Far East Movement featuring Koda Kumi – Make it Bump – New Song
Geordie singer Cheryl Cole is in the running to become a judge on the US X Factor, Simon Cowell has said. The music mogul told fans he is still undecided as to who the final two judges on the panel will be. Cowell has already confirmed music producer and executive Antonio ‘L.A.’ Reid, 54, will join him on the panel – leaving two spots for female stars. During a web chat on Twitter yesterday a fan asked if Cole, 27, will join the US version of the talent show. The 51-year-old responded: "Cheryl is in the mix, talking to the network this week, hope to announce the 2 remaining judges very shortly." And Simon also said he wanted to find the next Lady Gaga on the programme. He wrote: "We hope 2 find an artist who can compete with people in the charts. Would love to find the new Lady Gaga. No Rules."
Things are apparently not going too well for Rihanna career-wise. It looks like the singer might just have to cancel her “Loud” tour because the ticket sales haven’t been all that good. This is what a source said about Rihanna’s current predicament: “It has been a big disappointment. The ticket sales in big U.S. cities like Boston are so bad, they will barely cover basics like the lighting and other arena costs. Tour managers are begging local radio stations to do giveaways.” Who would’ve thought that Rihanna would have problems of this sort? Maybe she might be able to take a few tips from Janet Jackson who was a real superstar when it came to ticket sales a little while back.
Owl City, aka Adam Young, is back with a new song. Two years after the successful album “Ocean Eyes”, the indie electronic artist will return to the music scene with the release of his latest studio project called “All Things Bright and Beautiful”, which is set to hit stores on May 17, 2011. The album will be led by the single “Alligator Sky” which features LA rapper Shawn Chrystopher. Adam’s lyrics are still pretty out there but that doesn’t even matter when his music is so amazing. I like the song but I also wish that he would have collaborated with BoB instead.
Owl City – Alligator Sky – New Song
Foo Fighters lead singer Dave Grohl has decided to jump on the anti-“Glee” train while promoting his band’s new documentary “Back and Forth” at the SXSW festival. The rock star said “It’s every band’s right, you shouldn’t have to do fucking Glee. And then the guy who created Glee is so offended that we’re not, like, begging to be on his fucking show… fuck that guy for thinking anybody and everybody should want to do Glee. I watched 10 minutes. It’s not my thing. The Glee guy, what a fucking jerk. Slash was the first one. He wanted to do Guns ‘n’ Roses and Slash is like, ‘I hate fucking musicals. It’s worse than Grease.’ Then [Murphy's] like, ‘Well, of course he’d say that, he’s a washed up old’ rock star, that’s what they fucking do.’ And then Kings of Leon say, ‘No, we don’t want to be on your show.’ And then he’s like, ‘Snotty little assholes…’ And it’s just like, Dude, maybe not everyone loves Glee. Me included.” To each their own I guess. It’s their music after all.
It looks like the rapper is going to have to take his difficulties elsewhere. It seems that Eminem and his producers, F.B.T. Production Company, have entered into a bit of a legal conflict with Universal Music Group over the download of some of Eminem’s songs and ringtones. Supposedly the profits should be split 50-50 between the two parties, but Eminem and his producers are receiving 12% from the physical album sales… and this is probably wrong in some way, or at least Eminem and F.B.T. believe so. But the Supreme Court isn’t going to be taking on this case so it looks like they’re going to have to find another, more civilized way to handle this. Maybe a local mafia chief would do the trick.
It looks like this American Idol season’s viewers pretty much know what they like and what they don’t. As proof of this stands this week’s bottom three which also includes two contestants that are on their return trip to this unfortunate situation. The bottom three present in last night’s American Idol episode is comprised of Karen Rodriguez, Haley Reinhart and Naima Adedapo. The first two are the unfortunate ones that have apparently made it on the bottom three for the second time and one of them is actually going to get the chance to do it a third… although that would be a very unfortunate thing indeed.
American Idol 2011 – Karen Rodriguez Last Performance Video
also on American Idol last night
Black Eyed Peas – Just Can’t Get Enough – AI Performance Video
American Idol Top 12 – Results Show – AI Performance Video
The rapper has recently announced that he has finished his new album, “Tha Carter IV” and has also revealed its release date. This is what Lil’ Wayne said about his upcoming album: “Tha Carter IV is done. All they need to do is tell Tez to stop sitting on it. Tez, stop sitting on Tha Carter IV and put the album out. May 16, believe that. It can come out tomorrow ’cause I’m so finished…Tha Carter IV will be dropping May 16. If you’re not doing anything, do me.” Is Lil’ Wayne getting happy with anything again lately? It sure sounds like he’s not really that much in the zone he’s supposed to be in.
The results show of American Idol bugs me as much as the song choices that the contestants made this week did. From the butchered opening performance to mics not being turned on at the right time, I was wishing it wasn’t a live show but rather a pre-recorded one. And then there’s the fluff of a Ford commercial, loads of fillers and the audience getting a free 10-year anniversary CD. Don’t even get me started on the contestant interview and Pia Toscano being censored for saying “shih tzu”. Another lame part had to be the St. Patrick’s Day lighting gag. Why are you doing this AI?
also on American Idol last night:
American Idol 2011 – Karen Rodriguez Last Performance Video
Black Eyed Peas – Just Can’t Get Enough – AI Performance Video
American Idol Top 12 – Results Show – AI Performance Video
American electro pop singer Dev, aka the girl from Far East Movement’s “Like a G6”, has chosen The Cataracs-produced “In the Dark” as the official second single from her upcoming debut album “The Night the Sun Came Up”, which is scheduled for release late this Summer. The song sounds good and I think is so much better than her first single “Bass Down Low”, which only managed to peak at #61 on Billboard’s Hot 100. I like Dev’s vocals on the song even if it is auto tuned. The instrumentals are also pretty cool. If promoted right, this song can be a summer smash hit.
Dev – In the Dark – New Song
After being the very first American Idol contestant to use a stand-up bass as an instrument, Casey Abrams has once again broken new ground by singing Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit”. Last night’s American Idol episode was all about songs from the contestant’s year of birth so Casey Abrams made a very interesting and unique choice. He also used a bass on stage. As for the performance itself, Casey Abrams is definitely no Kurt Cobain and his rendition wasn’t really one hundred percent accurate, but he did manage to get into the spirit of things and that seems to have counted a lot with the judges. Steven Tyler actually said that Casey Abrams is “so crazy, so good and so talented and that is the perfect match”.
American Idol 10 Top 12
Casey Abrams : Nirvana – Smells Like Teen Spirit : American Idol Top 12
More American Idol Performances:
James Durbin : Bon Jovi – I’ll Be There For You : American Idol Top 12
Stefano Langone : Simply Red – If You Don’t Know Me By Now : American Idol Top 12
Scotty McCreery : Travis Tritt – Can I Trust You With My Heart : American Idol Top 12
Jacob Lusk “Alone” – American Idol – Top 12
Lauren Alaina “I’m the only one” – American Idol top 12
Pia Toscano “Where the broken hearts go” – American Idol – top 12
Naima Adedapo : Tina Turner – What’s Love Got To Do With It : American Idol Top 12
Thia Megia : Colors Of The Wind – Pocahontas : American Idol Top 12
American Idol 10 Top 12 – Karen Rodriguez – Love Will Lead You Back
American Idol 10 Top 12 – Paul McDonald – I Guess That’s Why They Called It The Blues
American Idol 10 Top 12 – Haley Reinhart – I’m Your Baby Tonight
Snoop Dogg has paid his respects to his friend and former 213 band mate, Nate Dogg, who passed away on Tuesday. The rapper took to his Twitter to say “We lost a true legend n hip hop n rnb. One of my best friends n a brother to me since 1986 when I was a sophomore at poly high where we met. I love u buddy luv. U will always b wit me 4ever n a day u put the g n g funk u put the 1 n 213 n u put yo stamp on evrybdy u ever didit wit. I miss u cuzz I am so sad but so happy I got to grow up wit u and I will c u again n heaven cuz u know d slogan…all doggs go to heaven yo homie n baby brotha bigg snoopdogg!! all doggs go to heaven yo homie n baby brotha bigg snoopdogg!! RIP NATE DOGG.” Nate Dogg will truly be missed.
Singer Justin Bieber is reportedly planning to invite Dancing On Ice star Johnson Beharry on stage with him. The 17-year-old pop star is currently touring the UK with his My World tour and he will be playing the O2 Arena in London on March 16. It’s claimed Bieber is a big fan of Victoria Cross hero Johnson Beharry, 31, and he got in touch with him through Beharry’s professional skating partner Jodeyne Higgins. A source said to UK newspaper The Sun: "Justin has been told of Johnson’s bravery and is really excited to meet him." Beharry was given the Victoria Cross, the highest military award for valour, in 2005 after he saved members of his regiment from ambushes in Iraq.
Now we can see exactly what’s going on here: Mariah Carey is still a diva, but she’s a very subtle diva. This new little stunt with her dogs is irrefutable proof of it: it seems that the singer has arranged for special therapy for her four Jack Russell terriers because they can supposedly be very possessive and jealous in regards their owners and they need to be prepared of the arrival of Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon’s twins. Then again it might not be such a far-fetched thing to do since Mariah Carey’s kids will be outnumbered two to one by her dogs. But perhaps sometime in the future Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon will also bring balance to this part of their lives.
It looks like Lil Wayne has become quite popular with the female population in the music industry. Last week, Nicki Minaj was all too excited about going on tour with her fellow rapper. Now, Jennifer Lopez is giddy about collaborating with him on her upcoming single “I’m Into You”. The pop singer and American Idol judge said “My next single I believe will be a song called I’m Into You and it’s gonna feature Lil Wayne, so look out for that. To me just the things he says and the way he says it is very unique, and I feel like he has a fresh new voice. He might be one of the best out there right now. He might be the best.” I can’t wait to hear this.
If you have a Twitter, a Facebook or even a MySpace, then you should know who Rebecca Black is. But if you’re one of the few people who don’t have any of the above, she’s a new pop singer on the scene with the much talked about song “Friday”. As for why it’s a huge topic, no, she’s not the next best thing. She’s not even close. I would gladly listen to Justin Bieber for the rest of my life if it means I never have to hear from Rebecca ever again. The lyrics are so bad that they’re actually hilariously good. I can’t even classify this as actual music but rather just a parody of teen pop. Sadly, it actually looks like Rebecca’s being serious.
Rebecca Black – Friday – Video
The band has released a new music video for their song “Rope”. Actually, this can hardly be called a music video since it’s mainly just a performance video in which the band just plays their song in a white room. But then again this is pretty fashionable for alternative rock bands it would seem and Foo Fighters don’t want to fall in behind. The song itself isn’t really half bad, the instrumentation and the lyrics are within reasonable limits and Dave Grohl’s vocals seem to add a bit of a twist to everything, even though this sounds like your basic alternative rock piece. There’s also somewhat of a light show toward the end of the music video. If there are any Foo Fighters fans out there who are tired to just listening to the song and want a few images to associate with the music, then they might want to give this music video a view or two.
