Black Eyed Peas member Apl.de.Ap announced a new record label he is launching in Los Angeles, Jeepney Music, calling on musicians in the area to drop off their demo tapes.

Grammy-winning Apl.de.Ap will throw a launch party for Jeepney at the ecologically conscious ECCO nightclub in Hollywood on August 11. Apl.de.Ap and Peas members Fergie, Taboo and Will.i.am are expected to join the celebration.

“The Los Angeles-based record label is founded on the principle of giving back, to both Apl.de.Ap’s homeland of the Philippines and the global community,” Apl.de.Ap’s representatives stated.

“Jeepney Music will feature not only emerging recording artists but will also highlight the growing number of disc jockeys and collaborative artists as he continues to build his label on the forefront of the digital transformation of music.

“In an unprecedented act, Jeepney Music is calling all artists in the Los Angeles area to drop off their music demos at the event from 10pm to 12am.”

Source: Splash News

The hit releasing songster has said in the lawsuit that executives at the Blackground music record company have over a period of time become jealous of his enormous success both as performer and producer. And to stop him make further stride up in the world of music they are calling other record labels asking them not to hire him.

Man what it is with community of rap singers (mind on offense to anyone here) a little success may be a few hits and they think they have conquered every domain there exists, someone go tell him and the likes of him that it takes years of hard work to establish oneself.

People like him are newbie today and history tomorrow and just in a year?s time people and fans just cannot recall your name. Timbaland go wash your face with fresh water it seems there is a lot of sh.t already settling on your ass.

Jared Leto is firing back on the lawsuit that was brought against him by his own record label. And while he?s a douche bag that I love to hate most of the time, I actually agree with him on this one. The actor/singer wrote a lengthy post on his official blog saying that the band did not call it quits. He also mentioned that the band has been signed to the label for 9 years but there is actually a California law that one cannot be bound to a contract for more than 7 years. Basically, they didn?t quit. The contract was simply null and void. Add the fact that they haven?t been paid and they had every right to leave the label. For a douche, he?s pretty smart and diplomatic. Why can?t he be like that the whole time?

The creative force behind the rise of rock band Evanescence, with hits “Bring Me to Life” and “The Fallen”, songwriter Ben Moody has taken his love for the music in a new direction; as head of the new, artist-centered label, FNR Records.

Since his departure from Evanescence in 2003, Moody has collaborated with some of the hottest stars in the music business; the established and the up-and-comers. His song-writing and producing credits include working with Avril Lavigne on her second release Under My Skin, penning “Nobody’s Home”, “This Time” with Celine Dion, “What About Now” from Chris Daughtry, and Moody co-wrote and produced the smash hit, “Because of You” with David Hodges for Kelly Clarkson. The reason for Moody’s new direction, FNR Records, is simple, he states, “after going to such great lengths to protect the integrity of a project during the creative process, it seemed almost sinful to let the major label monster destroy it.”

In order to live up to its credo of protecting the creative artists, FNR Records first client is a young, Montana native, Hana Pestle; an alternative rock/acoustic solo artist. Pestle’s sound carries a unique blend of influences as diverse as Radiohead, Sarah Mclachlan, and the Cranberries. Hana Pestle is now touring the Midwest, performing her songs, “These Two Hands”, “Just a Phase” and her own haunting rendition of “Hallelujah”.

Moody was instantly taken in by Pestle’s voice, “It only took Hana singing one song and I was sold . . . I have never in my life been more in awe of such a breathtaking natural talent.”

If you still think that there?s no such thing as an American Idol curse, you might want to think again. It?s being said that 2004 champ Fantasia Barrino has just been dropped by her management team. The singer is still under contract with her record label but who knows for how much longer? Quite honestly, I don?t care much for her anyway. She obviously didn?t care for any of her fans too as she missed a lot of performances while she was on Broadway?s ?The Color Purple?. I?m actually surprised that it took this long for her to get dumped by her management. Fantasia was set to perform at Milwaukee?s Summerfest last week but she got replaced by Musiq Soulchild.

Shinedown have just put together a video teaser for their upcoming album, The Sound of Madness. The clip features their new single, ?Devour? and images inspired by the album?s cover art. This marks the debut of new guitarist Nick Perri formally of Silvertide who replaced founding member, Jasin Todd.

The Sound of Madness is out 6/24 through Atlantic Records.

Video link:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Smashing Pumpkins are taking their former label, Virgin Records, to court over their use of the Pumpkins brand. The label, with whom the band split in 2000, allegedly, used the band?s name for promotional activities linked to Pepsi without their permission.

Virgin were allowed rights to sell digital downloads of the Chicago alt-indie rockers, but should not have compromised the band?s artistic integrity by using their name for promotional activities.

Oh dear ? they are in trouble?

The whole world is catching the hate on Avril Lavigne ? even her home country of Canada! You know that?s bad. Canada?s national newspaper The Globe & Mail has written an article which basically sums up why Avril is such a douche. They wrote on Avril?s ever-changing image ? from being the so-called anti-Britney created by a record company to the now supposed glam rocker. Then there are those allegations of plagiarism, swearing at photographers and fans.

I guess the last straw for them was the ?Avril in Mexico? show on MTV Canada where it chronicles the singer?s trip to the MTV Latin Awards. She?s unbearable on that show so I?m not even going to talk about it.

Boyband McFly have decided to cut their ties to the record label that made them famous and fly solo. The lads have decided that the time has come to grow up and shake of the shackles of being a boy band.

Oh dear. Could this spell the end for McFly? It does break the first lesson in pop ? don?t tamper with a winning formula.

McFly have been disgustingly successful, with seven No1 singles and two No1 albums – not to mention enough awards to buckle a steel shelving unit. But their success is largely down to the clever guidance of their management team and Island, their label.

A source said: ?The boys feel they have outgrown the company. Label chiefs have plans for them they disagree with. They are tired of being a boy band. They want to be recognised for their song writing and being more than just a teen act. The time in Australia has given them a chance to put together their battle plan. They are all really excited about the idea of being free to make their own decisions about their future.?

Going alone is a gamble. It could all be downhill from here?

With her 50th birthday looming, Madonna is planning to re-release all of her single as downloads to celebrate. I am sure this will annoy her ex-label Warner who will want to cash in on the tunes before she leaves them.

But Madge is aiming high ? the plan is to beat the record of rock king Elvis in the UK number 1?s.

You have to salute her ? she is entering the ?wrinkly? stage of her career – marking the milestone with a huge gig in New York. And thanks to her beautician and whatever other secrets she has up her sleeve she will do it looking great too.

It just goes to show that just because you won the title of American Idol, it doesn?t mean you will BE America?s Idol forever. In some indirect way, that?s already proven by the likes of Elliot Yamin and Chris Daughtry who ended up being bigger than their season?s winner and runner up, Taylor Hicks and Katharine McPhee.Anyway, Ruben Studdard won on the second season of American Idol but he?s failed at having any success with his recording career. As a result, Ruben has been dropped by his record label J. Records. What?s he going to do now that his vocal chords have been ripped out?