HOPE FOR HAITI NOW HAS RAISED OVER 66-MILLION DOLLARS
Hope for Haiti Now has raised more than 66-million dollars for Haiti relief and recovery efforts. The figure includes proceeds from sales of the Hope for Haiti Now album, a collection of live performances from last week’s global telethon that today became the first-ever digital-only album to debut at number one on the Billboard album chart. According to Nielsen SoundScan, Hope for Haiti Now was purchased for download more than 171-thousand times in the U-S through Sunday. The album sold an additional 60-thousand copies outside of the U-S through Sunday. Hope for Haiti Now also sold 300-thosuand individual audio performances as well as 15-thosuand downloads of the full two-hour video telecast through Sunday. The album has hit number one on iTunes in 18 countries, and Hope for Haiti Now is the first project to simultaneously reach the number one spot on the U-S iTunes album, song (“Stranded (Haiti Mon Amour)” by Jay-Z, Bono, The Edge and Rihanna), and television charts.
HOPE FOR HAITI NOW DEBUTS AT NUMBER ONE
According to Nielsen SoundScan, the Hope For Haiti Now charity album debuts at number one on the Billboard album chart, selling over 171-thousand copies and in doing so, becoming the first digital-exclusive set to top the tally in its nearly 54-year history. The MTV Networks compilation, featuring performances from last Friday’s Hope For Haiti Now telethon, only reached digital distributors over the weekend and is not currently available in record stores. SoundScan’s sales tracking week ends at the close of business each Sunday, so Hope for Haiti’s big sales came from just two full days of sales via iTunes. Susan Boyle’s I Dreamed a Dream holds at number two for the third straight week selling another 86-thousand copies, bringing her nine week sales total to over 3.3-million copies. Lady Gaga’s The Fame is up one spot to number three, while Spoon debuts at number four with Transference. The 2010 GRAMMY Nominees album bows at number five.
GRAMMYS TOP TEN SHOCKING MOMENTS
Billboard.com has listed the top ten most shocking GRAMMY moments. Remember when ODB stormed the stage before Shawn Colvin accepted the Song of the Year award in 1998? How about J.Lo’s green Versace dress with the plunging neck in 2000? Other moments that make the list: Elton John and Eminem’s collaboration on “Stan” back in 2001, Chris Brown’s assault of Rihanna the night before last year’s GRAMMYS and Milli Vanilli having their 1990 Best New Artist GRAMMY revoked after they admitted they did not sing on the track. The number one most shocking moment was in 1998 when Bob Dylan was performing “Love Sick” and a bare-chested man stormed onstage and danced with “Soy Bomb” written on his chest.
NEW KIDS AT RADIO CITY!
New Kids on the Block will perform at Radio City Music Hall for the first time ever on June 18th. Tickets for the show go on sale on Saturday. On Tuesday, NKOTB will release a live DVD called Coming Home, which chronicles the group’s successful reunion tour.
KE$HA NUMBER ONE POP!
Ke$ha’s debut single “TiK ToK” lands at the number one spot at Top 40 Radio and sets the all time record for the most weekly spins in the 17 year history of the Billboard charts. Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance” set the weekly spin record when it was played over 10-thousand times in a week. This week, Ke$ha bests that record with “Tik ToK” logging over 11-thosuand spins. The single has sold over three-million copies in the U-S alone and over four-million worldwide. Ke$ha’s second single, “Blah Blah Blah” featuring 3Oh!3, impacts radio in February.
SHAGGY TEAMS UP WITH SEAN PAUL FOR HAITI BENEFIT SINGLE
Shaggy has recorded a new song with help from Sean Paul and other Caribbean artists to raise money for earthquake survivors in Haiti. The track is called “Rise Again” and was written by Shaggy, who is best known for his 2000 hit “It Wasn’t Me.” The track features Haitian musician Belo and soca singers Alison Hinds of Barbados and Destra Garcia from Trinidad and Tobago.
MARY J. AND ANDREA BOCELLI AT THE GRAMMYS
Nine-time GRAMMY-winner Mary J. Blige and Andrea Bocelli will perform Simon and Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water” during a fundraising segment for Haiti relief at this year’s GRAMMY Awards. The Recording Academy said Wednesday the duet will be available for download at iTunes.com/Target following the show, with all proceeds going to the American Red Cross to benefit earthquake relief efforts in Haiti. The 52nd annual GRAMMY Awards will air live Sunday on CBS from the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
ARTISTS SUPPORT PLANE TO HAITI
Creed, New Kids On The Block, Alter Bridge, Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine, Godsmack, Julianne Hough, Eve and David Archuleta head the initial wave of musicians helping the Plane To Haiti effort. Together, they all raised over one-million dollars in supplies and donations. The MD-80 airplane full of medical supplies and a medical staff, took off from Long Beach Airport yesterday and arrived in Haiti. The plane will head back to California tonight or tomorrow. For more information check out PlaneToHaiti.org.
PASSION PIT COVER LADY GAGA
Massachusetts rockers Passion Pit have covered Lady Gaga’s new single “Telephone.” The tune is an official, sanctioned remix and features Beyoncé part, which is in the original tune as well. To hear the track, head over to Stereogum.com.
JOHN MAYER MEETS KEITH URBAN AT THE CROSSROADS
Tuesday night, John Mayer and Keith Urban played together, swapped stories and shared their common love of music, as they taped the latest episode of CMT Crossroads. Both guitar greats performed their biggest hits like Mayer’s “Say” and Keith’s “Kiss A Girl” just outside of Nashville. Of course, not all of the songs performed at the taping will make it to the final broadcast. The stage wasn’t the only place with celebrities, though. Taylor Swift was spotted in the audience.
TAYLOR SWIFT’S HOUSE PARTY VISIT
Lady Antebellum’s Hillary Scott had a housewarming recently in Nashville and one of those in attendance was Taylor Swift. According to E! Online, Taylor showed up for the soiree and brought Hillary and her roommates little monogrammed teacups and saucers.
SEE MICHAEL FRANTI’S STUDIO
Michael Franti is in San Francisco working on his new album, which he hopes to have out by summer, and the singer-songwriter has been posting a series of video blogs online in an effort to keep his fans up to date with what he’s doing. In the latest installment, Franti gives a tour of his studio, The Sugar Shack. See what goes down there at MichaelFranti.com.
STING GOES TO SEE LADY GAGA
Lady Gaga drew enormous crowds to her recently completed four-night stand at New York City’s Radio Music Hall, and one famous musician in particular had a great time. According to British paper The Sun, Gaga met up with Sting after one of her gigs. Learn more at NME.com.
BE A VIP AT DAUGHTRY/LIFEHOUSE
Were you waiting to learn more information on how you can be a VIP when Daughtry and Lifehouse come to your town? Well wait no more, because the info is up on the band’s official Web site now. The package includes a bunch of great stuff, like a meet-and-greet with the group and getting to watch the band’s soundcheck before the show. Become a VIP now at DaughtryVIP.com.
SEND UNCLE KRACKER A TEXT
Ever wished you could send Uncle Kracker a text message to tell him just how you feel? Well now you can through his official Web site. UncleKracker.com has a widget that makes it really easy to write to the “Smile” singer, and they say that he’ll read “every single one.” Head there now to start texting!
JOSS STONE TALKS WHY BRITS HATE HER
Joss Stone thinks she is “hated” by the British people, and the singer-songwriter still doesn’t know why. Stone told England’s Mail on Sunday newspaper that, “A lot of people in this country hate me. I seem to annoy people. I’m always on the worst-dressed lists and I just seem to get people very angry…I still don’t get what it’s all about.” Learn more at ContactMusic.com.
MADONNA THROWS DAUGHTER MERCY A PARTY
Madonna can’t have a party without someone famous in attendance, even if it’s for her daughter. According to the New York Post, Madge celebrated her recently adopted child Mercy’s fifth birthday with a little party in New York City. The paper reports that Sascha Seinfeld, daughter of Jerry, was at the shin-dig. Learn more at NYPost.com.
WYCLEF RETURNS TO HAITI
According to MTV News, Wyclef Jean has reportedly returned to his homeland of Haiti to further help with the relief efforts. The GRAMMY-winning artist has visited neighboring Dominican Republic to ask President Leonel Fernandez for more aid and supplies for the victims of Haiti. Jean stated, “It feels like the whole entire world coming together.” Shortly after MTV’s Hope For Haiti telethon, he told us why it’s so important for people to continue to contribute (See Related Cuts #7 – #8). There is still time for you to make a charitable donation. Visit HopeForHaitiNow.org or call (877) 99-HAITI to give now.
AVRIL IS STILL FRIENDS WITH HER EX
Avril Lavigne may be getting divorced from Sum 41’s Deryck Whibley, but she insists that the pair remain close. The singer told Ryan Seacrest on his radio show that they still “work together all the time” and that he’s one of her “best friends” and they “have a connection.” Whibley is said to be producing the album that Avril has been working on.
ALICIA KEYS IS ENGAGED?
UsMagazine.com reports things between Alicia Keys and her boyfriend, Swizz Beatz, have apparently escalated quickly. The private couple is rumored to be engaged! The hitmaker reportedly proposed to the singer with a seven-carat diamond on her birthday. A close friend reveals “they are currently in Hawaii celebrating the engagement and her birthday. She feels blessed. She is thrilled. She is with the man who has inspired so much of her music and her new album [The Element of Freedom].” Alicia has denied the claim, however she was spotted rocking new a diamond ring on her left hand.
USHER CONFIRMS RELEASE DATE
Usher has announced that he’s locked in a release date for his much anticipated Raymond v. Raymond album. The R&B singer’s project will hit stores on March 30th. In addition, fans can expect the crooner to premiere the video for his new single, “Hey Daddy (Daddy’s Home)” featuring Plies, on MTV.com later today.
SOULJA BOY PENS FIRST BOOK
According to Wooha.com, Soulja Boy has reportedly completed his first book, Teenage Millionaire. The rapper is remaining mum as to what the storyline is, however, you can get your copy on July 28th. We’ll keep you posted with further updates.
JENNIFER LOPEZ LEAKS “EVERYBODY’S GIRL”
Jennifer Lopez is pushing full steam ahead with her upcoming album, love? In fact, the singer has leaked a new track titled “Everybody’s Girl,” which will serve as the first international single off the disc. Love? is scheduled for a April release.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IXm2ZnvWHQ
NO DOUBT TWEET ABOUT NEW ALBUM
No Doubt are in the studio working on their new album. Guitarist Tom Dumont has been updating fans via his Twitter account about how the new album is coming along. In a tweet yesterday, Dumont revealed singer Gwen Stefani and bassist Tony Kanal “are rocking the synth” and that their “little studio is warm and candlelit.” Follow the progress of No Doubt’s first studio album since 2001’s Rock Steady, over at Twitter.com/NoDoubt.
CHILLI’S REALITY SHOW COMES IN MARCH
Chilli from TLC has landed a new reality series that will chronicle her failed relationships and her quest for love. That’s right, the singer is looking for real love and will do anything to get it. Tune in to the premiere of her new Vh1 show What Chilli Wants on March 28th.
WHAT HAPPENED TO CITY HIGH?
In 2001, City High was riding high with the success of their hit song “What Would You Do.” However, two years later, the group disbanded. Who knew there was a love triangle going on between Robby Pardlo, Claudette Ortiz and Ryan Toby? Robby recently appeared on A&E’s Intervention after battling alcoholism and depression stemming back to when Ortiz broke up with him so she could date and eventually marry Toby. Watch the full show at AETV.com now.
http://www.aetv.com/intervention/video/?bcpid=53411497001?bctid=63320962001
MASTER P PLANS HAITI BENEFIT CONCERT
According to BallerStatus.com, Master P is planning a benefit concert to help the Haiti relief efforts. The rapper’s show will take place during Super Bowl weekend, however, the line-up has not yet been announced. All proceeds will go towards IHeartHaitiKids.org, which will help rebuild schools in Haiti.
SLASH ON “MY GENERATION” REMIX
Slash is taking part in a remix of The Who’s “My Generation.” The song, which will air during the Super Bowl broadcast, will also be released to raise money for Haitian earthquake relief. Billboard reports that Will.I.Am of the Black Eyed Peas has reworked the 1965 rock anthem, altering the lyrics of the tune so they are geared towards his generation. The track will be for sale on iTunes soon but you can also hear it when the Super Bowl airs on February 7th. The Who play the halftime show at the event.
ROCKERS AS AVATAR’S NA’VI
Avatar has become the highest-grossing film of all time and to mark the occasion, RollingStone.com has shown what some of your favorite rock stars would look like if they belong to the Na’vi tribe that appears in the film. Check out how Bono, Bruce Springsteen and The Beatles would look if they lived on Pandora. Head to RollingStone.com to see all the photos.
http://www.rollingstone.com/photos/gallery/31896192/pandoras_music_box_rock_stars_n
WIN A SIGNED COLDPLAY PASS
Friday’s Hope For Haiti Now telethon was an unparalleled fundraising event and now, Coldplay are giving fans a chance to have a piece of that special. The band is giving away an artist pass signed by all four members. To win, e-mail your name and address to Competitions@Coldplay.com before February 10th. While you’re at your computer, head over to iTunes to buy Coldplay’s performance during Hope For Haiti Now telethon. Proceeds will be donated to the Haiti relief effort.
