TAYLOR SWIFT AND HOPE FOR HAITI NOW TOP iTUNES CHART
Taylor Swift dethrones Ke$ha on the iTunes chart as her single, “Today Was a Fairytale,” is the most-downloaded tune on the site. Ke$ha’s huge hit, “Tik Tok,” comes in at number two, just ahead of Justin Bieber’s “Baby” featuring Ludacris, “Hey Soul Sister” from Train and “BedRock” from Young Money and Lloyd. Hope For Haiti Now is the number one downloaded album on iTunes and set a record for the most album pre-orders in history. All the proceeds from the sales of the album go to the Haitian relief effort.
TIMBERLAKE TO GET HASTY PUDDING AWARD
This month, Harvard University’s Hasty Pudding Theatricals will honor Justin Timberlake with their Hasty Pudding Award. According to People magazine, the undergraduate drama troupe will pay tribute to Justin because he is “one of pop culture’s most influential entertainers.” JT will be honored at a roast on February 5th, along with fellow Hasty Pudding recipient Anne Hathaway.
JUSTIN TALKS HOPE FOR HAITI NOW
Justin Timberlake played a large role in the Hope For Haiti Now telethon which took place last Friday, and the singer opened up to Access Hollywood about how it was being a part of the event. Timberlake, who performed a rendition of Leonard Cohen’s classic “Hallelujah,” in addition to working the phone banks, said that it was a “surreal moment” seeing all the actors and musicians in one room and that there was a “feeling of unity.” Timberlake said that he had a “good time” talking to the people who donated.
MICHAEL FRANTI GIVES AN ALBUM UPDATE
Michael Franti just posted a new video blog on his official Web site, and it reveals some information about the singer-songwriter’s forthcoming album. The video was recorded in a studio in San Francisco, and Franti says that he hopes to have his follow-up to All Rebel Rockers out this summer because there’s “a lot of summertime music on it.” And not only that, but you also get to hear a sneak-peek of one of the songs! See the video now at MichaelFranti.com.
RYAN TEDDER TALKS ABOUT LEONA LEWIS
Leona Lewis has a hit across the pond in the U-K with her song “Happy,” but the tune is yet to pick up any steam in America. OneRepublic’s Ryan Tedder co-wrote the track, and he has some ideas as to why it’s not faring well stateside. He talked to DigitalSpy.com, saying that it wasn’t promoted well enough because Lewis was overseas when it was released. Now he thinks that the song will only become big if “Leona has another hit first” and “Happy” can piggyback on its success. Read more at DigitalSpy.com.
WHITNEY HOUSTON ANNOUNCES WORLD TOUR
In support of her latest album I Look to You, Whitney Houston will hit the road and she’s announced the dates to her upcoming “Nothing But Love” world tour. The entertainer’s concert showcase will begin on February 6th in South Korea and wraps in Finland June 10th. During that time, she’ll hit Japan, Australia and Europe along the way. Visit WhitneyHouston.com for all tour dates and promotional appearances.
MARIAH’S REMIX ALBUM DELAYED AGAIN
According to her official fan site, Mariah Carey’s upcoming remix album, Angel’s Advocate, has suffered another delay. The project, which was initially scheduled for a January release, then one on March 9th, will now hit stores on March 23rd. To help tide over Mi Mi’s fans, videos for her new singles, “Angel’s Cry” featuring Ne-Yo and “Up Out My Face” with Nicki Minaj, are expected to premiere tomorrow.
CASSIE DENIES PREGNANCY RUMORS
Recent pictures of a plumper-looking Cassie at various events have sparked rumors that the singer might be pregnant. Well, Diddy’s alleged girlfriend has responded to those claims on her Twitter page. She tweeted: “Come on people, I still have weight on from the holiday and on top of that, I’m on my period. TMI…I know.” The “Me & U” singer addws, “Not preggers kiddies!!” In relates news, Cassie is working on her sophomore album, Electro Love, which will drop later this year.
PETA SLAMS KANYE WEST AND AMBER ROSE
PETA is upset with the full-length furs Kanye West and Amber Rose donned at Paris Menswear Fashion Week. The animal organization has posted a picture of the “ethical dropout” and his “sleazy sidekick” on its blog with a headline that reads: “Paint the town blood red.” PETA Vice President Dan Mathews said in a statement: “Kanye can’t help making himself look like an idiot, whether at an awards show or a fashion show. He and his girlfriend look like pathetic creatures from a shabby roadside zoo.”
KRIS ALLEN AT THE NFC CHAMPIONSHIP
Kris Allen sang the National Anthem before the NFC Championship game between the New Orleans Saints and the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, but if you didn’t tune in early enough to see it, don’t worry. Video of the American Idol making his country proud is now up on his Web site. Check it out now at KrisAllenOfficial.com.
UNCLE KRACKER AT HOOTERS
If you’re going to be in Miami in the days leading up to this year’s Super Bowl, be sure to stop by Hooters on Wednesday night, because Uncle Kracker is going to be giving a special performance. Get all the details on the event now at UncleKracker.com.
LEONA GETS INSPIRED BY MJ
Michael Jackson’s This Is It DVD hit shelves yesterday, and Leona Lewis sat down to enjoy it. She wrote on her Twitter that the film made her feel “so inspired” and that it really got her “geared up” for her own tour. Follow the “Bleeding Love” singer at Twitter.com/LeonaLewisMusic.
DMB SUMMER TOUR
The Dave Matthews Band has just announced via press release that they will be heading out on a summer tour. DMB will be hitting the road May 28th in Hartford, Connecticut, and staying out until things wrap up on September 15th in St. Paul, Minnesota. The band will have a bunch of different people serving as opening acts, including Bret Dennen, Ben Harper, Raphael Saadiq and others. Get all the details on the trek at DaveMatthewsBand.com.
NEW DETAILS ON LUDACRIS’ BATTLE OF SEXES
We’ve learned that Ludacris’ upcoming album, Battle Of The Sexes, has changed from a joint project with Shawnna to a compilation LP with other noted female acts. Luda has teamed up with Lil Kim, Nicki Minaj, Eve, Trina and Ciara for his seventh studio effort. The album is slated for release on March 16th. Be sure to download his new single, “How Low,” on iTunes now.
LAURYN HILL RESURFACES
According to Billboard.com, Lauryn Hill surprised concertgoers at the Raggamuffin Music Festival in New Zealand. The singer, who hasn’t performed live in over three years, entertained the audience with her hit song “Doo Wop (That Thing).” Does she still have it? Check out the performance on YouTube now.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZylfB36RgEg
SOULJA BOY PREPS FIRST HEADLINING TOUR
Soulja Boy sat down with HipHopDX.com to reveal that he’s excited about his first major headlining tour. He promised that the outing “is going to be the biggest ever. We’re going to do some big venues. I plan on hitting all of the major cities.” Soulja also plans to “bring some great artist out on the road,” however he doesn’t want to give away too many details at this time. The emcee is currently working on his third album, The DeAndre Way, which will be released later this year.
BOW WOW STARTS A BLOG
Newly signed Young Money artist Bow Wow has announced on his Twitter page that he’s created a blog. The rapper encourages everyone to check it out at WhoIsShadMoss.Blogspot.com.
DRAKE’S WORDS OF WISDOM
According to his official Twitter account, Drake is excited about his fans hearing his debut album, Thank Me Later. The project will begin “the second step in our journey together.” Drizzy also tweeted this motivational quote as he continues to work on his upcoming disc: “Don’t count every hour in the day, make ever hour in the day count.”
STEVEN TYLER SINGS AT HOME DEPOT
As Steven Tyler rehabs from his addiction to pain killers, he’s been popping up at random places. The Aerosmith singer was seen at a karaoke bar last week and most recently, according to TMZ, the rocker performed at a California Home Depot on Saturday. The site reports that Tyler sang “Dude Looks Like a Lady” and “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” over the store’s loudspeaker. He apparently also took a hit from a helium machine and sang like the Bee Gees as he signed autographs for anyone who asked for one. Read more at TMZ.com.
JON BON JOVI ON 30 ROCK
Here’s a chance for you to spend your Valentine’s Day with Jon Bon Jovi. According to PerezHilton.com, the rocker will appear on that night’s episode of 30 Rock, playing a former boyfriend of the show’s star, Tina Fey.
T.I. BEING SUED
T.I. is facing a copyright infringement lawsuit over his GRAMMY-Award winning track “What You Know.” According to ContactMusic.com, rapper Motoe Blizzid, real name Nathan Filby, alleges T.I. used parts of his 2004 song “Reverence.” According to legal documents, Filby claims the song has the “same rate of harmonic range” and states the two recordings have “nearly identical instrumental melodic lines in terms of pitch, shape, and rhythm.” Filby is requesting a jury trial for the case and is seeking damages and profits derived from the song. T.I. is currently in a halfway house near his home in Atlanta, Georgia after serving time for weapons possession.
