KE$HA’S ANIMAL TO DEBUT AT NUMBER ONE!
Ke$ha’s debut album Animal will triumph over Susan Boyle’s I Dreamed a Dream on the new Billboard album chart. According to Billboard, Ke$ha’s album sold about 150-thousand copies, easily beating Boyle’s album, which had been on top of the chart for five straight weeks.
IYAZ SCORS NUMBER ONE OVERSEAS
Iyaz, otherwise known as Virgin Islands-born Keidran Jones, went straight to number one on the new U-K singles chart with his debut single “Replay.” The Iyaz single his climbed as high as number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
NICK JONAS COVERS TAYLOR SWIFT
At a recent concert, Nick Jonas showed a little love to Taylor Swift, congratulating her on a great year, and also covering the country star’s hit song “You Belong With Me.” Check out the video of the young Jonas doing his thing, at PerezHilton.com.
http://perezhilton.com/2010-01-11-nick-jonas-does-taylor-swift-not-literally
GAGA ON OPRAH!
Friday is going to be a big day in the Windy City of Chicago. That’s because Oprah Winfrey’s executive producer revealed on her Twitter account that Lady Gaga is going to be making an appearance on the hit program. Check your local listings for the time and station to watch The Oprah Winfrey Show in your area. <ZS>
BEYONCE TO TAKE A BREAK IN 2010
Despite previous reports of working on new material, Beyonce has decided to take a much needed break in 2010. The songstress told USA Today it’s time to “recharge my batteries” by taking “six months and not go into the studio. I need to just live life, to be inspired by things again.” But before she can relax, the singer will perform at the 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards on January 31st, shoot Lady Gaga’ “Telephone” video and in February, complete the final two weeks of her I Am… tour.
On her down time, Beyonce plans to “go to restaurants, maybe take a class, see some movies and Broadway shows.”
MARY HEADLINES ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL
We’ve just learned Mary J Blige is scheduled to headline this year’s Essence Music Festival in New Orleans. The “No More Drama” singer will also serve as the festival’s official spokesperson by promoting the three-day event, which takes place during July 4th weekend. If you’re interested in attending, visit Essence.com now to score your passes.
This will be Mary’s eighth appearance at the Essence Music Festival.
USHER GETS ROBBED FOR ONE MILLION DOLLARS
According to FOX News, Usher’s Yukon Denali was reportedly robbed just ten days before Christmas in an Atlanta parking lot. The singer’s vehicle held of over one-million dollars in jewelry, 50-thousand dollars in furs and 16 grand in electronics. The entertainer was shopping when his car was burglarized. Authorities are currently looking to find the culprits.
OMARION PREPS FOR MYSPACE MUSIC CONCERT
It’s just been confirmed that Omarion will take stage for MySpace Music’s The Release concert series in Los Angeles. To help further promote his latest Ollusion album, the “Speedin’” singer will entertain his fans on Friday at the Highlands in L-A. Doors for the 21+ show will open at 10 PM — get there early!
SOLANGE READIES NEW ALBUM
Solange is heading out to Sydney, Australia for a gig and while she’s Down Under, she will reportedly begin recording new material for her upcoming album. According to SameSame.com, the “I Decided” singer will work with electro pop duo the Midnight Juggernauts on her new effort. The follow-up to 2008’s Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams will be released independently, however no release date or album title has been announced yet.
MARIAH CAREY’S MEMOIRS GOES GOLD
Mariah Carey’s latest album, Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel, has finally achieved gold status by the RIAA. The disc was released on September 29th, 2009. When we last spoke to the entertainer, she told us why she thinks her fans will enjoy the album and how it appeals to everyone (See Related Cut #1). In related news, on February 23rd, Mi Mi will not only embark on her Angels Advocate Tour, but she’ll also drop a remix album titled Angels Advocate,.
PASSION PIT FOR ULTRA MUSIC FESTIVAL
According to UltraMusicFestival.com, Passion Pit, will.i.am and more are set to play the music event. The two-day fest takes place in Miami on March 26th and 27th.
KENNA & MORE ON TOP OF KILIMANJARO
Kenna, Emile Hirsch, Jessica Biel and musicians Lupe Fiasco and Santigold, along with a group of scientists and activists, climbed to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa. The 50-mile trek took six days and the journey aimed at raising awareness about clean water. The trip will be chronicled in a 90-minute documentary slated to air on March 14th on MTV. For more about the climb, head to MTVNews.com.
TREY SONGZ REMIXES RIHANNA’S “HARD”
According to Rap-Up.com, Trey Songz is back in his mixtape mode as the singer just released his version of Rihanna’s smash hit “Hard.” This is a must listen! In related news, be sure to get your tickets to see Trey open for Jay-Z’s BP3 tour. Visit LiveNation.com now.
http://limelinx.com/files/219a0655fb8a1e9c1b5f293e13998947
JAY-Z ADD NEW BP3 TOUR DATES
Attention Jay-Z fans! Your favorite emcee has decided to add a few more dates to the second leg of his upcoming BP3 tour. Hova is scheduled to invade New York City’s Madison Square Garden on March 2nd as well as perform at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut on March 5th. Tickets for the newly added dates go on sale this Friday via LiveNation.com.
JOHN MAYER TALKS TWITTER BREAK
Just like his pal Chris Daughtry, John Mayer decided to kick off the New Year by not going on Twitter for one week. Well that time had passed and the “Daughters” singer is back on the social networking site. About the “cleanse,” Mayer said that it was “amazing,” and that he now knows that he needs to use the site a little bit less. Follow John at Twitter.com/JohnCMayer.
MICHAEL FRANTI CHECKS IN FROM BALI
Michael Franti just posted a video blog from Bali, Indonesia on his official Web site. The singer-songwriter just wanted to wish everyone a happy 2010, as well as give a little update on the new album that he’s recording there. See what details Michael gives about record at MichaelFranti.com.
KRIS ALLEN OPENS UP
The reigning American Idol, Kris Allen, sat down with OK! magazine to discuss a bevy of topics, including the last meal he would eat before he dies — his mom’s chicken spaghetti; which celebrity people sometimes confuse him with — David Archuleta; and the last time he cried — watching Marley & Me. See what else Kris has to say in the revealing interview at OKMagazine.com.
WHO IS MATT MORRIS?
Matt Morris is finally hoping to follow in the footsteps of his fellow Mickey Mouse Club co-stars Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears. According to the Associated Press, the 30-year-old left the show and returned to a normal life in his hometown of Denver, Colorado. He said he didn’t want to rush to being famous adding, “I just wanted to go to high school.” He kept in touch though, writing songs with and for Timberlake and Aguilera over the years. Morris has released his own full-length album titled When Everything Breaks Open on Timberlake’s Tennman Records. It mars the first full-length national release for Timberlake’s label.
SPICE GIRL MEL B WANTS TWINS
Spice Girl Melanie Brown not only wants to get pregnant, but she wants to have twins. In an interview with Britain’s Hello! magazine, the lady sometimes known as “Scary Spice” said that she and her husband “definitely want to have kids at some point in 2010 or the beginning of 2011” and that she would “would love to have twins… but just one healthy baby would be more than fine.” Brown has two kids already from previous relationships, including one who was fathered by Eddie Murphy.
AVRIL’S ALBUM IS DELAYED AGAIN
Avril Lavigne’s album keeps getting pushed back, but that can happen when your record is being produced by your ex-husband. According to PerezHilton.com, it was originally scheduled to be released last November, but it is now looking more like “mid-2010” because they can’t get along. Avril’s ex, Deryck Whibley of Sum 41, is taking the pop star to court as he is demanding spousal support. The acoustic album is tentatively titled Pink Crust.
DECIDE WHAT BON JOVI PLAYS AT THE GRAMMYS
Bon Jovi will perform at this year’s GRAMMY Awards and you can decide which tune they play. The band has invited fans to help them select a hit song to perform at the awards show. The options are “Always,” “Bed of Roses,” “Have a Nice Day,” “It’s My Life,” “Livin’ On a Prayer” and “Wanted Dead or Alive,” and to vote, you just have to head to CBS.com/GRAMMYS. There is no registration needed and you can vote as often as you like, you just have to do it by January 24th. To see which song wins, tune in to the GRAMMYS on January 31st at 8 PM on CBS.
CAST SET FOR YELLOW SUBMARINE UPDATE
The cast has been set for director Robert Zemeckis’ 3-D update of the Beatles’ animated flick Yellow Submarine. According to The Hollywood Reporter, The Princess Bride star Cary Elwes will voice George Harrison, British actor Dean Lennox Kelly will portray John Lennon, Shaun of the Dead’s Peter Serafinowicz will play Paul McCartney and Epic Movie’s Adam Campbell will take on Ringo Starr. Zemeckis is hoping the real Paul and Ringo make voice cameos in the film, which is expected out in 2012, just in time for the London Olympics.
SNOW PATROL SINGER WORKS ON TWO SOLO ALBUMS
Snow Patrol singer Gary Lightbody has announced details of two solo projects he is working on. According to NME, the Irish singer will be releasing two albums under the names Tired Pony and Listen…Tanks. One album will have a more country feel, while the other will be a “crazy” electro record. Lightbody will be working on both albums in the U-S throughout the month of January. According to TwentyFourBit.com, R.E.M.’s Peter Buck plays on the Tired Pony album. <SH>
TIMBALAND ANNOUNCES SHOCK VALUE II TOUR
SingersRoom.com reports Timbaland is getting ready to embark on his Shock Value II tour, which kicks off this Friday in Norfolk, Virginia. Timbo said in a statement, “I’m so excited to come and give my fans an intimate, up-close and personal experience of my music. I want everyone to leave feeling like they never stopped dancing the entire time.” The trek will hit major cities including New York, Chicago and Los Angeles before it wraps up on February 3rd in Dallas Texas. <WM>
Shock Value II tour dates:
January 15th – Norfolk, Virginia
January 16th – Washington, DC
January 17th – Baltimore, Maryland
January 19th – Boston, Massachusetts
January 20th – New York, New York
January 22nd – Toronto, Ontario
January 23rd – Columbus, Ohio
January 24th – Chicago, Illinois
January 26th – Denver, Colorado
January 28th – San Diego, California
January 29th – Los Angeles, California
February 2nd – Houston, Texas
February 3rd – Dallas, Texas
MARK HOPPUS AND PETE WENTZ WRITE MUSIC FOR ALICE IN WONDERLAND
Buddies Mark Hoppus and Pete Wentz are teaming up on a musical endeavor. The pair is reportedly writing music for Tim Burton’s upcoming Alice in Wonderland film. Wentz told MTV News that they wrote one song for the movie and may collaborate further. He said the music sounds nothing like their bands, Fall Out Boy and Blink 182. Alice in Wonderland lands in theatres on March 5th.
DAVE MATTHEWS TALKS GRAMMY NODS
Anytime you get nominated for a GRAMMY Award is something special, but for the Dave Matthews Band, this year’s nods mean something extra because of the death of saxophonist LeRoi Moore. Frontman Dave Matthews told the Associated Press that getting two nominations for Big Whiskey & The GrooGrux King was a “real thrill” and “because of what the album meant to us and because the loss of LeRoi and because of the love that we put into making this.” He went on to say that because of inspiration from their fallen sax-player, the “spirit” of where the band is right now is “awesome.”
