NEW VIDEO OF “WE ARE THE WORLD” SESSION
Newly released footage from the “We Are The World” recording session prominently shows Justin Bieber, P!nk, Josh Groban, Mary J. Blige, Akon and Maroon 5’s Adam Levine. The song, which will make its debut during the Opening Ceremony of the Winter Olympics, also features Lil Wayne, Wyclef Jean, Miley Cyrus, Drake, T-Pain, Kanye West, Keri Hilson, along with veterans such as Tony Bennett, Barbra Streisand and Lionel Ritchie, an original co-writer of the song. All proceeds from sales of the “We Are the World” will go toward Haitian relief efforts.
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1631694/20100211/pink.jhtml
KE$HA TOPS BILLBOARD HOT 100 FOR EIGHTH WEEK!
Ke$ha claims the longest running number one debut single by a female artist on the Billboard Hot 100 since 1977 as “TiK ToK” holds steady for an eighth week. 33 years ago, Debby Boone took her debut, “You Light Up My Life” to the top spot for 10 weeks. The GRAMMY awards are reflected on the chart, which sees the Black Eyed Peas’ “Imma Be” climbs two spots to number two. The song sold over 236-thousand downloads to become the act’s fifth number one digital song, the most by a group in the chart’s five year history. In addition, the Peas’ “I Gotta Feeling” leaps seven spots to number nine, marking its 22nd week in the top 10. Lady Antebellum becomes the first country group to hit the top three of the Hot 100 since Lonestar reached number one with “Amazed” in March of 2000, as “Need You Now” leaps five spots to number three. Young Money falls one spot to number four with “Bedrock” and Lady Gaga falls three spots to number five with “Bad Romance.”
TAYLOR SWIFT AND HER LUCKY NUMBER AUCTION OFF GUITAR
The guitar Taylor Swift donated during the We’re All for the Hall benefit for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, is scheduled to be auctioned off tomorrow. Since Taylor’s lucky number is 13, the auction will begin February 13th, and last for 13 days. Fans can place their bid on the Country Music Hall of Fame website, until February 26th.
BEYONCE NEW FACE OF FASHION FOR HAITI
According to her official fan site, Beyonce has been named the official face for The Council of Fashion Designers of America’s limited-edition “Fashion For Haiti” T-shirt. The singer said in a statement, “Join me and the fashion industry by buying and wearing the Fashion for Haiti T-shirt. Together we can send a message of hope by raising much needed funds for the people of Haiti.” The shirt hits select retailers next Tuesday, visit CFDA.com to learn more.
MADONNA IS BRAZIL
Madonna is in Brazil to talk to politicians about helping the country’s poor youth, and apparently, she impressed someone pretty important. The Associated Press reports that Madge had a meeting with Jose Serra, who is a likely candidate to run for President of the country in the next election. Madonna wouldn’t comment on what the pair talked about, but Serra said that she indeed expressed a desire to help kids in need.
KELLY CLARKSON SPEAKS HER MIND
Kelly Clarkson was performing in the U-K the other night, and decided to speak her mind on stage. In a video that was taken by a fan at the show and put on YouTube, the original American Idol spoke in between songs, saying that she sometimes doesn’t get to record “soulful” music that she loves because she works “with a bunch of suits.” She was presumably talking about the past problems she’s had with her record label, but Clarkson did say that they “made a great album this time,” referring to her number one record All I Ever Wanted.
KRIS ALLEN’S AOL SESSIONS
Kris Allen stopped by the AOL Sessions studio to perform five songs, including his current hit “Live Like We’re Dying,” and also for a sit-down interview, where he talks about the meaning behind some of his songs. Watch the video now at KrisAllenOfficial.com.
WIN A SNOWBOARD FROM UNCLE KRACKER
Uncle Kracker’s official Web site got their hands on a Corona snowboard, and they want to give it to you! It’s easy to enter, you just have to go to UncleKracker.com and say why you think you deserve it. Head to the site and enter right now.
HEAR SOME OF LIFEHOUSE’S ALBUM NOW!
Those who can’t wait to hear Lifehouse’s highly anticipated new album Smoke & Mirrors have something to be excited about. The band has just posted on their official Web site snippets of five songs that will be on the record, as well as video of the band speaking about the recording process and a little about a few of the different tunes. Start listening now at LifehouseMusic.com. Smoke & Mirrors hits stores on March 2nd.
JOHN MAYER APOLOGIZES AT SHOW FOR COMMENTS
John Mayer is in the spotlight for comments he made during an interview that will be in the March issue of Playboy magazine. He touched on a number of subjects, including his relationships with Jessica Simpson and Jennifer Aniston, but he also used a word that he wasn’t supposed to, and has gotten a lot of grief over it. At his concert on Wednesday night in Nashville, Mayer said a lengthy and tearful apology for his comments, saying he fell into “a wormhole of selfishness, greediness and arrogance” and that he’s finished playing to the media and just wants to play his guitar. See the video now on YouTube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zT47QLSoj4k&feature=player_embedded
CELINE DION IS HEADED BACK TO VEGAS
Celine Dion is heading back to Las Vegas. According to the Associated Press, the “My Heart Will Go On” singer will have a three year residency at Caesar’s Palace beginning in 2011. Dion’s first show in Sin City ran for five years and made 400-million dollars before closing in December 2007.
PEREZ HILTON SPREADS RUMORS ABOUT JOHN MAYER
Blogger Perez Hilton went on a Los Angeles morning show on Thursday to discuss the whole John Mayer Playboy situation, and he made some pretty bold claims about the singer-songwriter. Hilton spoke about their love/hate relationship, and that Mayer told him he has done things sexually with men before and that he “loves to watch gay porn.” Hilton also had some revealing things to say about Mayer’s relationship with Jessica Simpson. Check out the video on YouTube now.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBk0sMa45dY
ROB THOMAS TURNS 38
Sunday is Valentine’s Day, but for Rob Thomas, it’s even more than that. That’s because it’s the day that the singer-songwriter will be turning 38-years-old! Rob has spent a good chunk of that time as the lead singer for matchbox twenty, and although he’s been very successful as a solo artist, Rob told us that the next thing he works on will involve the “Push” band (See Related Cut #3). Rob will be celebrating his birthday and Valentine’s Day by playing another show on his cradlesong tour in Australia.
GO TO THE SAME SCHOOL AS JOHN MAYER
Ever wanted to play guitar like John Mayer? Well the “Daughter” singer’s alma mater, the Berklee College of Music, is now offering online certificate courses in an effort to help singer-songwriters perfect their craft. You can even learn from some of Mayer’s teachers. The new semester begins on April 5th, learn more at BerkleeMusic.com.
SADE’S PROJECTED ALBUM SALES
According to HitsDailyDouble.com, Sade’s latest album, Soldier Of Love, is estimated to sell between 400 — 450-thousand copies in its opening week! The reclusive pop-soul singer’s first album in over eleven years is also predicted to debut at the number one position on the Billboard charts. This is quite impressive considering she only released one single, titled “Soldier Of Love,” from the project, and did less promo than most of today’s biggest stars.
RIHANNA PREMIERES “RUDE BOY” VIDEO
Rihanna released a vibrant video for her third single, “Rude Boy,” off of her latest album Rated R. The clip was reportedly directed by Melina, who is responsible for the vivid images in Beyonce’s “Diva,” Ciara’s “Work” and Solange’s “I Decided” clip. You can watch Ri Ri’s “Rude Boy” on MTV.com now. In related news, expect to catch Rihanna on tour this spring.
KANYE REMEMBERS ALEXANDER MCQUEEN
Shortly after the news was announced on Thursday that fashion icon Alexander McQueen passed away, Kanye West posted the following on his blog: “McQueen…so devastating…he was a genius… he was so important and special…we lost an angel!” The British designer was found dead in his London home after committing suicide yesterday morning. He reportedly hung himself.
KID CUDI APOLOGIZE FOR PUNCHING FAN
Kid Cudi has apologized to the victim he allegedly punched during a Vancouver concert last year. The man who was hit, Michael Sharpe, told TMZ.com that Cudi called last weekend to formally say sorry and explained that he was drunk when it happened. In addition, Sharpe was offered a free trip to New York City for an all-expenses paid weekend, however its unknown if he accepted.
TONI BRAXTON EXPLAINS ALBUM DELAY
Rap-Up.com caught up with Toni Braxton to find out what’s taking her so long to release her oft-delayed Pulse album. The singer explained the extensive leaks have caused her to create new material before it drops on May 4th. Toni stated the project is “top secret now. They won’t even send any of the songs over the Internet. Everything has to be FedExed.”
THE KILLERS DENY THEY ARE SPLITTING
In a statement on TheKillersMusic.com, the Las Vegas band is refuting internet rumors that they are getting ready to split. Part of the statement reads, “They are all looking forward to some time off at the end of this tour as they have been on the road for a long time, but there are no plans for an indefinite hiatus.” In the same message, The Killers also announced they had to cancel their February 12th, 13th and 14th gigs in Sydney, because of the severity of the illness of a close family member of the band. The group does plan to play the other Australian dates they have committed to. Back on January 21st, The Killers cited the same reason for canceling their tour dates in Asia. Check out more at TheKillersMusic.com.
CARRIE UNDERWOOD GIVES NEW TOUR DETAILS
Carrie Underwood recently answered fan questions while shooting a commercial for Vitamin Water about what they can expect from her upcoming Play On tour. Carrie said, “We kind of took production to a whole new level. We have a lot of pieces on stage that move, and a surprise that allows me to get closer to the audience than I’ve ever been before.” Sons of Sylvia and Craig Morgan will open for Carrie. Check CMT.com for a complete list of tour dates.
DYLAN, U2, GREEN DAY COVER SONGS FOR CHARITY
U2, Bob Dylan and Green Day all appear on a new charity album which benefits the Haitian relief efforts. The CD, which is called Rhythms Del Mundo: Haiti, features classic songs and covers by big name artists with an Afro-Cuban twist thanks to the group Rhythms Del Mundo. On the compilation, which was put together in two weeks, U2 takes on Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On,” Dylan does a rendition of “A Hard Rain’s A Gonna Fall” and Green Day cover “I Fought the Law.” You can pay what you wish for the album but keep in mind all proceeds are for charity. Learn more or get the record at ApeUK.org/Haiti.
SLASH’S FAVORITE GUITAR RIFFS
If there is one thing Slash knows, it’s guitar riffs. So which riffs are the former Guns N’ Roses rocker’s favorites? He told Paste Magazine that his all-time fave is from Jimmy Page on Led Zeppelin’s “Black Dog.” He called it “monstrous” and “real heavy.” Slash also loves the blues sound in The Yardbirds’ “Over Under Sideways Down” and the “unique” and “well-structured” riff Jimi Hendrix lays in “Purple Haze.” The guitarist talks about Queen, The Eagles, Jeff Beck, Metallica, The Beatles, Aerosmith and Van Halen in his list of favorite riffs, which you can check out at PasteMagazine.com.
SLASH TALKS TOUR
Slash will release his new, self-titled solo album on April 6th, and the former Guns N’ Roses guitarist is tweeting about when fans can see him live. Slash wrote that he’ll be touring the world behind the effort, and plans to announce dates in Australia and Asia next week. As for the U-S, Slash revealed he’ll tour the States in the fall. The rocker will also visit Europe, South America and perhaps even Africa during the trek. Keep up to date on Slash at Twitter.com/SlashHudson.
U2, PETE SEEGER, AND MORE PRAISE IRELAND
U2, Pete Seeger, Sinead O’Connor and the Chieftans are featured in a new PBS documentary called The Music of Ireland — Welcome Home. The film features interviews and performances from the musicians and will air on New York’s public access TV station on February 17th, with the other PBS affiliates airing the special at various times throughout March. Learn more at Billboard.com.
