KE$HA TOPS BILLBOARD ALBUM CHART
Ke$ha bows at number one on the Billboard album chart as her debut album, Animal, sold over 151-thousand copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan figures. The album knocks Susan Boyle’s I Dreamed a Dream out of the top spot to number two after six weeks at the summit. Boyle’s debut album has sold a staggering 3.1-million copies in just seven weeks. Lady Gaga’s The Fame drops to number three, Alicia Keys’ The Element of Freedom falls one notch to number four and Mary J. Blige’s Stronger album slides to number five.
GREAT ARTISTS ON NEW NOW CD
Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Now That’s What I Call Love is set to hit stores on January 26th. The compilation features some of the biggest love songs from some of the biggest artist in the world, including, Taylor Swift, Colbie Caillat, Lifehouse, 3 Doors Down, Nickelback, Daughtry and many others. Learn more about the album at NowThatsMusic.com.
LADY ANTEBELLUM CLIMBING THE CHARTS
Lady Antebellum’s self-titled debut album is climbing back up the charts. The record, which has been out for 91 weeks, leaps three spots to number 17 this week and has sold over 1.3-million copies since its release. The effort debuted at number four on the Billboard album chart back in April of 2008. The band will release their new album, Need You Now, on January 26th.
U2’S SPIDER-MAN MUSICAL OFFICIALLY DELAYED
The Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark musical that Bono and The Edge wrote the score to, has been delayed. Previews for the Broadway production will not begin as previously thought on February 25th and will now instead start in the fall. Refunds are being offered to those who purchased tickets to the early days of the show. According to Billboard.com, the budget for Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark could reach the 50-million dollar mark.
DRAKE BREAKS DOWN SO FAR GONE
According to MTV News, Drake has given full details on the creative process behind the songs on his famed mixtape, So Far Gone. The emcee explains his favorite song, how each record came together and reveals what cut is the best performance track off the tape. In addition, Drizzy is honored by the recognition his work has received and stated “for MTV to name it the top mixtape of 2009 means the world to me.” Head over to MTV.com to learn more.
MIA NEW SONG
MIA has released a new song and video online. The track is tagged with the name “Theres Space for Ol Dat I See.” According to NME.com, it’s unknown whether the track will be on MIA’s upcoming as-yet-untitled disc. For the follow-up to her 2007 album Kala, MIA worked with Diplo and DJ Blaqstarr.
GET A ROB THOMAS WRISTBAND, GIVE TO CHARITY
Rob Thomas is giving fans a great way to get a one-of-a-kind item from his online store, and also to help a charity at the same. If you order Rob’s limited-edition New York Christmas wristband from his official Web site, you’ll get a special video message from the matchbox twenty frontman and his wife Marisol, as well as a live performance of the song “A New York Christmas.” All proceeds will benefit the Sidewalk Angels Foundation, which helps homeless people and animals. Order today at RobThomasMusic.com.
DUFFY IS HARD AT WORK ON NEW ALBUM
Duffy has been hard at work on her highly anticipated sophomore album, and Billboard.com has just gotten some details. According to the Web site, the Welsh singer has been working with Questlove from The Roots and also with veteran songwriter Albert Hammond, Sr. The album is still untitled but will hopefully be released in late 2010.
TRAIN HEAD BACK OUT ON TOUR
Train has just announced that they will be heading back on the road in the springtime in support of their latest album, Save Me, San Francisco. The tour kicks off on March 4th in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and runs through March 27th when they wind down in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Also, they’ll be bringing singer-songwriter Butch Walker as their opener on the trek. Head to TrainLine.com to see if the band is coming to a town near you.
KRIS ALLEN OUTSELLS ADAM LAMBERT
When Kris Allen won last season’s American Idol, there were many people upset because they felt that Adam Lambert deserved to be crowned champion. Well it seems that the American public is now validating Allen’s win, by downloading more of his music. According to PerezHilton.com, Allen’s hit “Live Like We’re Dying” has sold almost 500-thousand singles while Lambert’s “For Your Entertainment” has sold just 200 thousand.
TAYLOR SWIFT, THE AUTHOR?
Taylor Swift is already an acclaimed musician, but will she be a beloved author someday as well? In an interview with Britain’s OK! magazine, the country star said that she is keeping detailed notes of everything that happens to her in her life because she intends to write an autobiography somewhere down the road. ContactMusic.com reports that Swift has already written a 350-page novel which is yet to be published.
LEONA LEWIS DISCUSSES HER LATEST
Leona Lewis recently discussed her new album, Echo, and all the people who she collaborated with on the project. The X-Factor winner told Britain’s New Magazine that she was grateful for the chance to work with Justin Timberlake and OneRepublic’s Ryan Tedder. About Timberlake, Lewis said, “He’s cool. We’re good working together because we both know what we want to achieve. But I still get star struck and stuff.” Read more at New-Magazine.co.uk.
USHER RELEASES STATEMENT ON HAITI
Following the devastating earthquake that rocked Haiti, Usher is encouraging everyone to help this tragic natural disaster. Here’s the full statement the singer has just released:
“I am devastated by the news in Haiti and am calling for youth worldwide to support and offer assistance to the millions of people in that area that are in dire need. I am currently working with Usher’s New Look, my non-profit organization, to figure out the most effective means of help. I also know that young men and women have asked the same question- “How can I help?” With Haiti in a state of emergency right now, young people do have the power to save lives. I am asking young people of all ages to mobilize by organizing local fundraisers with the proceeds going to their peers in Haiti. This is one way we all can make a difference.”
MICHELLE EXITS MUSIC WORLD ENTERTAINMENT
We’ve just learned Michelle Williams has decided to dissolve her professional relationship with Mathew Knowles, stripping him of his management duties and parting ways with Music World Entertainment. The “We Break The Dawn” singer explained in a statement: “After much prayer and consideration I have decided to part ways from my management team, Mathew Knowles and Music World Entertainment. From my time in Destiny’s Child to my solo career, I am grateful for everything Mathew and his team has done for me. We’ve shared great success together. However, as I move in a new direction in my career, I felt it was time. I wish Mathew Knowles and the Music World Entertainment family all the best.”
DR DRE’S DETOX DELAYED
During recent interview for SLAM magazine, Dr Dre revealed some unfortunate news regarding the release of his Detox album. The hitmaker is still “working on it” and went on to explain why it’s being delayed again. Dre stated he’s “working on other people’s projects; you’ll probably hear something in a year or so.” Dre has reportedly been perfecting and recording this album over the past ten years.
JAY-Z AND BEYONCE EARN $122 MILLION
For the second consecutive year, Beyonce and Jay-Z have topped Forbes’ Top Earning Couples list. Unlike last year, the “Single Ladies” singer earned most of the money with an outstanding 87-million dollars earned between June 2008 and June 2009 while her “Empire State Of Mind” singer-husband raked in 35-million bucks. Together, the pair banked 122 mil, just 40-million dollars shy of last year’s earnings.
Forbes’s Five Top-Earning Couples:
Beyonce and Jay-Z — $122 million
Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart — $69 million
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie — $55 million
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith — $48 million
David and Victoria Beckham — $46 million
WHAT WAS STOLEN FROM USHER?
While authorities are still looking for the culprits who stole from Usher’s SUV, we’ve learned over one-million dollars in goods were taken. According to StraightFromTheA.com, here’s a detailed list of what exactly was snatched from the singer’s vehicle just ten days before Christmas:
Jewelry bag containing five watches, three necklaces, two rings and six bracelets — valued at $1 million.
Assorted clothing and furs – valued at $50,000
Bottega Veneta duffle bag – valued at $4,000
Mac Powerbook computer – valued at $3,000
Mac Powerbook computer – valued at $2,000
Louis Vuitton garment bag – valued at $3,000
Louis Vuitton laptop bag – valued at $2,000
Sony PowerShot camera – valued at $400
Sony PowerShot camera – valued at $300
Two Flipcam video cameras – valued at $1,000
NELLY’S 2011 MUSTANG IN ALBUM ARTWORK
We’ve learned that not only is Nelly close to completing his upcoming album, but the rapper is posing with the new 2011 Mustang GT on the official album cover. Nelly said in a statement, “This vehicle being a part of my album artwork is just a reflection of the direction and feel that the album has.” The emcee’s new project is slated to be released this March.
DETAILS ON THE RUNAWAYS MOVIE
The Runaways, the film that tells the story of the all girl, teenage rock band from the ‘70s, will come out in over 14-hundred theaters on March 19th. The flick stars Kristen Stewart as Joan Jett and Dakota Fanning as Cherie Currie and documents the group’s rise to fame and their eventual break-up. The flick will have its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 24th. Learn more about the movie at RunawaysMovie.com.
THE EARTHQUAKE IN HAITI
Around 4:50 PM on Tuesday, Haiti was hit by the largest earthquake the country has ever seen. The 7.0 quake struck near the capital of Port-au-Prince and reportedly destroyed most of the city and knocked out all electricity on the island. Casualties are unknown at this time. Haitian-American musician Wyclef Jean told CNN’s Anderson Cooper that he called a friend in Haiti right before the earthquake struck and then 45 minutes later, buildings were collapsing everywhere on the island nation. The singer/producer has urged his many fans to “act now” and help the Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund by texting “Yele” to 501501, which will automatically donate 5 dollars to aid the fallen country.
Former President Bill Clinton said in a statement: “My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Haiti. My U.N. office and the rest of the U.N. system are monitoring the situation, and we are committed to do whatever we can to assist the people of Haiti in their relief, rebuilding and recovery efforts.”
The United Nations World Food Program is currently sending food assistance to the island. If you or someone you know has family or loved ones in Haiti, please call 1-888-407-4747.