FULL LINE UP FOR “WE ARE THE WORLD” REMAKE
MTV News reports Quincy Jones and Lionel Richie were able to bring an impressive amount of celebrities together for the 25th anniversary remake of “We Are the World.” The song has been renamed “We Are the World — 25 for Haiti,” with proceeds expected to benefit the Haitian earthquake relief efforts. There are over 80 confirmed entertainers on the track including: Janet Jackson, Pink, Usher, Jason Mraz, Akon, Robin Thicke, Celine Dion, Enrique Iglesias, Rob Thomas, Jeff Bridges, Vince Vaughn, Barbra Streisand, Jordin Sparks, Good Charlotte’s Madden brothers, Tony Bennett, Josh Groban, Justin Bieber, Sean Garrett, Will.I.Am, Carlos Santana, Melanie Fiona, Toni Braxton, Jason Mraz, Miley Cyrus, Nicole Scherzinger, Nicole Richie, Julianne Hough, Raphael Saadiq, Zac Brown, India.Arie, Randy Jackson, Musiq Soulchild, Heart’s Ann and Nancy Wilson, Fonzworth Bentley, the Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson and Al Jardine, Trey Songz, Faith Evans, Mya, Gladys Knight, Jennifer Hudson, Keri Hilson, Tyrese, Katharine McPhee, Brandy, Mary Mary, Maroon 5’s Adam Levine, the Jonas Brothers, Earth, Wind & Fire, Rashida Jones, Ethan Bortnick, Natalie Cole, BeBe Winans, Lil Wayne, Kanye West, T-Pain, Wyclef Jean, Kid Cudi, LL Cool J, Snoop Dogg, Drake, Bizzy Bone, Nipsey Hussle, Busta Rhymes, Haitian-born Heroes actor Jimmy Jean-Louis, former Michael Jackson guitarist Orianthi, Patti Austin, RedOne, Slumdog Millionaire film score composer A.R. Rahman, Swizz Beatz, Taj, Taryll and TJ Jackson.
HOPE FOR HAITI NOW & KESHA TOP ITUNES CHART
The Hope For Haiti Now album tops the iTunes chart for a second straight week, holding off strong advances from Lady Antebellum’s Need You Now and Corinne Bailey Rae’s The Sea. Meanwhile, Ke$ha still has the number one downloaded song with “Tik Tok.” The Black Eyed Peas “Imma Be” comes in right behind, followed by Justin Timberlake’s “Hallalujah,” which is part of the Hope For Haiti Now album.
JON BON JOVI TALKS ABOUT HIS NEW VIDEO
Bon Jovi’s latest single is “Superman Tonight” and the video for the song will premiere today on the online music network Vevo. Jon Bon Jovi told us more about the track and its corresponding video (See Related Cut #4). You can also check out the clip Saturday on Vh1.
ALL-STARS SING “EVERYBODY HURTS” FOR HAITI
Simon Cowell recently brought together some big names to perform R.E.M.’s “Everybody Hurts” and the charity single premiered yesterday on U-K radio. The track, which features the likes of Rod Stewart, Jon Bon Jovi, Mariah Carey, Susan Boyle and Miley Cyrus, will be available for download on Sunday and all proceeds will benefit the Haitian relief efforts. You can hear the tune now on YouTube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2FEDNAqmmI
ELTON JOHN PRODUCING NEW BROADWAY SHOW
Elton John is no stranger to Broadway. The Rocket Man has helped to bring Aida, Billy Elliot and The Lion King to the Great White Way and now, Elton and his partner, David Furnish, will produce another show. It’s called Next Fall and takes a witty and provocative look at faith, commitment and unconditional love. In a statement, Elton said he was attracted to how the show is inspiring and timely. Next Fall begins its run on March 11th. For more info, head to NextFallBroadway.com.
STARS PERFORM AT THE NBA ALL STAR GAME
Alicia Keys, Shakira, Drake and Usher will all be performing at the 2010 NBA All Star Game in Arlington, Texas at Cowboys Stadium. During the halftime show, the entertainers will perform their current hits including Keys’ “Empire State of Mind,” the Columbian singer’s “Give It Up To Me,” one of the rapper’s hits and the R&B star’s new song “More.” You can catch the 59th Annual NBA All Star Game on Valentine’s Day at 8 PM Eastern on TNT.
LUDACRIS, KERI HILSON JOIN BET HAITI CONCERT
According to BET.com, more celebrities have been added to the list of performers for BET’s SOS: Saving Ourselves – Help For Haiti concert this Friday. Keri Hilson and Ludacris are now scheduled to join previously confirmed performers Chris Brown, Mary J. Blige, Akon, Robin Thicke, Monica, Jazmine Sullivan, Justin Bieber, Busta Rhymes, India Arie, Kirk Franklin Damian Marley and Pitbull at the American Airlines Arena in Miami. The event will help raise money for the Haiti relief efforts and will air Friday at 8 PM Eastern via BET, Vh1, MTV and Centric.
T-PAIN RELEASES “REVERSE COWGIRL”
After he took a break, new music has finally surfaced from T-Pain. According to Rap-Up.com, the Auto-tune king linked up with Young Jeezy on new single titled “Reverse Cowgirl.” The track is the first offering from his upcoming fourth studio album, rEVOLVEr, which is scheduled to drop this spring.
http://limelinx.com/files/fa9eaaac64bc45d4738eda0a33a66f2f
PETE WENTZ SEEMS TO CONFIRM FOB BREAK-UP
Fall Out Boy bassist Pete Wentz talked with fans on his Twitter account Monday night and seemed to confirm that F-O-B had broken up. Wentz wrote, “I can’t imagine playing in FOB again. Something would have to change in my head or my heart…not my wallet.” Wentz went on to say it’s possible that Fall Out Boy could continue without him. Wentz also posted a message on his blog at PeteWentz.com saying he’s looking for a new project that drives him and gives him purpose. The official word from the band is that they are still on a “hiatus,” only Wentz’s latest comments have suggested some more permanent changes. Read more at Twitter.com/PeteWentz and PeteWentz.com.
50 CENT’S FILM HITS SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL
The New York Times reports a new 50 Cent film, titled Twelve, was recently bought at the Sundance Film Festival. The Joel Schumacher movie was reportedly purchased for two-million dollars by an independent publisher and media company, Hannover House. In the flick, the rapper plays a drug dealer who distributes to Gossip Girls’ Chase Crawford. Twelve is expected to hit theaters this winter.
KRIS ALLEN AND GEORGE LOPEZ
Kris Allen was interviewed at the Pre-GRAMMY Gala, and it appeared that it would just be like any other chat — until George Lopez decided to pop in at the end! Watch the hilarious interview now at KrisAllenOfficial.com.
UNCLE KRACKER AND MARDI GRAS
Planning on heading to the 17th annual Le Festival De Mardi Gras in Lafayette, Louisiana? Well it was just announced that Uncle Kracker will be one of the many people performing at the five-day event, which takes place from February 12th through the 16th. Learn how you can be a part of the festival at UncleKracker.com.
NEW VIDEO FROM JEWEL
Jewel has just released the new video for her song “Stay Here Forever,” which is on the soundtrack for the upcoming movie Valentine’s Day. Check out the vid, which features Jewel working in flower shop, as well as footage from the movie, on CMT.com.
DOWNLOAD THE NEW TRAIN COVER SONG
Train covered The Platters’ classic song “Only You,” and CBS is using it advertisements for their programming. You can see the video that the network has been running featuring the tune, or download the song to have it for yourself, at TrainLine.com.
LILY ALLEN IS BACK ON TWITTER
It’s been a while, but Lily Allen is back on Twitter. The singer-songwriter hasn’t written on the social networking site since September, but according to NME.com, she posted that she is going to be revealing some “exciting stuff” on it in the future. Follow Lily at Twitter.com/LilyRoseAllen.
AMY WINEHOUSE AND DAD ARE CLOSE
Amy Winehouse and her dad Mitch have had their problems recently, mostly regarding the embattled singer’s desire to reunite with her ex-husband, Blake Fielder-Civil, but apparently, all is well between Amy and her pops. Mitch and his daughter were photographed over the weekend in London looking very happy, with the younger Winehouse actually sucking her thumb and leaning up against her father. See the pictures now at DailyMail.co.uk. <ZS>
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1247877/Thumb-sucking-Amy-Winehouse-shows-shes-Daddys-girl-heart.html
A GAGA/LINDSAY LOHAN COLLABORATION?
Producer Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins was behind the Lady Gaga and Beyonce collaboration “Telephone,” and now he has another project in mind for the “Bad Romance” singer. E! Online is reporting that the producer was talking at Clive Davis’ pre-GRAMMY party over the weekend and said that he thinks Lindsay Lohan would be a great person for Gaga to work with. Jerkins said that he could “pair them up” and that he would “love to see what could happen.” <ZS>
GAGA AND ELTON JOHN TO TEAM UP AGAIN
Lady Gaga and Elton John teamed up to kick off the GRAMMYs, and it seems like the two will be working together again next week. According to ContactMusic.com, Gaga will be helping honor John and his partner, David Furnish, for their charity contributions to battle the disease of AIDS, at the amfAR New York Gala 2010. The event takes place next Wednesday in New York City. Learn more at amfAR.org.
FANTASIA RELEASES “EVEN ANGLES CRY”
According to ConcreteLoop.com, Fantasia Barrino is making her big return to music with the release of her new single “Even Angels.” The song is off her highly anticipated third studio album, which will be released later this year. In related news, the former American Idol winner’s Vh1 reality series, Fantasia For Real, airs every Monday at 10 PM Eastern. <WM>
CHRIS BROWN PREVIEWS NEW MIXTAPE
According to RapRadar.com, Chris Brown has released previews to his new songs off his upcoming mixtape. Just before he plays the records on Ustream, the singer warns parents “don’t get offended, it’s just feel good music.” Be on the look out for Breezy’s new mixtape to debut on Valentine’s Day.
REVIEWS FOR LIL WAYNE’S REBIRTH ALBUM
After numerous delays and push backs, Lil Wayne’s rock inspired Rebirth album is finally out in stores. So now the question is, was it worth the wait? Rolling Stone gave Weezy a rating of 2.5 out of 5, stating “the hyperclever Wayne we know is missing in action” and he “growls like an Auto-Tuned Kid Rock.” Entertainment Weekly gave the emcee a D+ for coming “across both muddled and belligerent on the much-delayed, extensively leaked Rebirth.” Meanwhile, USA Today felt the effort was “neither well-conceived nor artfully delivered” and gave Wayne a 2 out of 4. In addition, the Chicago Tribune believed the project was “the worst career misstep by a major artist in recent memory.” Ouch!
COOL & DRE REPSONDS TO LIL WAYNE’S REBIRTH
Despite what critics have to say about Lil Wayne’s Rebirth album, producers Cool & Dre felt the disc “will help open avenues” for other artists looking to explore different genres. Dre said in a statement that Wayne “is more than just a hip hop artist, he’s quickly becoming the face of a generation.” The hitmakers crafted the album’s first single, “On Fire,” and three other songs including “I Die,” “Paradise” and “Get A Life.” Be sure to get your copy of Rebirth. It’s in stores now.
LIL WAYNE ADDED TO “WE ARE THE WORLD”
According to MTV News, Lil Wayne has been added to the extensive line up of today’s biggest stars for the remake of “We Are The World.” Wayne told MTV he initially thought his name “got mixed up” but he was honored to be a part of it. Weezy called the experience “way more important than I could ever imagine.” Head over to MTV.com now to hear the full interview.
THE ROOTS TO PRODUCE FOR JOHN LEGEND
RapRadar.com confirms The Roots will executive produce John Legend’s upcoming fourth studio album, titled Wake Up Sessions. Details are sparse but fans can expect the project to be released sometime this year.
SAVE THE DATE: 10-10-10
On October 10th, 2010, a very special live musical event will take place, highlighting the top artists of the decade as selected by the viewers of MTV, Vh1 and CMT, the networks announced via a joint press release yesterday. For the first time ever, these powerful music brands will come together to celebrate the decade in music on one big night, across all three networks. Further details will be announced in the future but as the press release noted, “You know how we can’t resist these numerical plays: 10-10-10!” Stay with MTV News as this unique event develops.