LADY A NUMBER ONE AGAIN
Lady Antebellum’s Need You Now returns to number one on the Billboard album chart for a fourth non-consecutive week. Marvin Sapp’s Here I Am debuts at number two selling over 76-thousand copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan. It marks the highest-ranking gospel album ever in the 54-year history of the Billboard album chart. Last week’s number one album, Ludacris’ Battle of the Sexes, drops to number three, while the various artists rock compilation The Edge, which includes hits from Godsmack, Finger Eleven and others, bows at number four. Lady Gaga’s The Fame moves up three slots to number five, Sade’s Soldier of Love holds steady at number six and Jimi Hendrix’s Valleys of Neptune falls three rungs to number seven. The Black Eyed Peas’ The E.N.D. climbs one spot to number eight, Gorillaz’s Plastic Beach drops seven spaces to number nine and Justin Bieber’s debut, My World, climbs one position to number ten and has sold over one-million copies. Beiber’s follow-up, My World 2.0, is expected to top the chart next week.
JASON DERULO TO WORK WITH MADONNA
Jason Derulo, who recently scored a chart topper with “Watcha Say,” is set to begin work on Madonna’s upcoming new album. According to Us Weekly, Derulo said, I’m about to work with Madonna, and I’ve been watching her for years. I would love to be a part of another reinvention. She’s been able to reinvent herself time and time again. I’ll probably be part of that.” Derulo joins the likes of David Guetta, who has also been tapped to work on Madge’s project.
BIEBER’S MANAGER ARRESTED
The manager for teen pop sensation Justin Bieber has been arrested on New York’s Long Island in connection with a fan frenzy at a mall. According to the Associated Press, Scott “Scooter” Braun surrendered to Nassau County police on Wednesday and awaits arraignment on charges of reckless endangerment and criminal nuisance. His lawyer says he will plead not guilty. His arrest stems from a planned appearance in November by Bieber. When the crowd became unruly, police told Braun to send out a Twitter message canceling the event. The prosecutor says it took Braun almost two hours to send two tweets, but his lawyer says it took seven minutes. The 28-year-old Braun faces up to a year in jail if convicted.
JUSTIN BIEBER’S MTV ACOUSTIC PERFORMANCES
Justin Bieber recently stopped by MTV in New York City to perform a few acoustic songs. The 16-year-old played his hits “One Less Lonely Girl,” “U Smile,” “One Time” and “That Should Be Me.” You can check Justin’s set at Buzzworthy.MTV.com and you can see more Bieber on Sunday night when MTV’s The Diary of Justin Bieber debuts at 7:30 PM Eastern.
BEP GO GREEN ON TOUR
The Black Eyed Peas have teamed up with Rethink, Green For All, and the League of Conservation Voters to help make their huge 2010 The E.N.D. Tour green. The trek features a unique recycling initiative that focuses on producing sustainable fabric from plastic bottles. The Peas’ will.i.am said: “From creating new sustainable products out of recycled bottles to capping harmful global warming pollution, the actions and policies that protect the planet for future generations are the same as those that create new jobs and economic opportunities.”
JAY SEAN GAVE UP MEDICINE FOR MUSIC
Jay Sean recently sat down with USA Today to talk about his quick rise to fame. The “Down” singer told the paper that he was actually getting ready to pursue a career in medicine before he got a record deal. When asked if he would ever return to school to become a doctor, Jay laughed and said, “Hell no. I’ve seen the world now. I can’t imagine going back and cracking books with a bunch of 18-year-olds.” Jay Sean’s album All or Nothing is in stores now.
DAVID COOK IS HEADING TO ETHIOPIA FOR IDOL
As part of Idol Gives Back, former champion David Cook is heading to Ethiopia to meet with some members of the United Nations. The “Light On” singer will be learning about the work that the U-N is doing to help empower and educate adolescent girls in the African country. Learn more, and see a video of David explaining what he’s doing in more detail, at DavidCookOfficial.com.
AKON POSTPONES SRI LANKAN CONCERT
Akon has postponed a concert in Sri Lanka following angry protests over his music video for “Sexy chick,” where scantily clad women dance in front of a Buddha statue. According to the Associated Press, Akon would have been the highest profile international singer to come to the predominately Buddhist Indian Ocean island since the end of a brutal 25-year long civil war last year. The singer expressed regret and said he was not previously aware of the statue in the video. Sri Lankan officials announced they would not issue Akon a visa for the concert, after his booking firm confirmed the show had been postponed amid growing outrage at the singer here. A mob on Monday hurled stones at a private broadcaster that was helping sponsor the event and a “We Hate Akon” page on Facebook had attracted more than 12-thousand members by Wednesday evening. Akon said he was “disheartened” to hear of the media attack and didn’t mean to offend any religion.
GREEN DAY HEAD TO BROADWAY
Green Day were in New York this week to catch a sneak peek of their upcoming musical, American Idiot, which debuts on Broadway next month. Singer Billie Joe Armstrong told Rolling Stone that the guys sat down and taught the show’s band how to play the album. Billie said, “Technically, they’re better than we are.” As for American Idiot’s relevance under the Obama administration, bassist Mike Dirnt explained, “If anything, the statements in the play and everything else that’s going on in the world stand more today than maybe four or five years ago.”
AMERICAN IDIOT MOVIE “DEFINITELY IN THE WORKS”
There are more details on Green Day’s American Idiot musical coming to the big screen. Michael Mayer, the director of the play, told Rolling Stone that something is definitely in the works. He said they want to deal with the opening of the Broadway show next month first before delving into the film project.
BEYONCE HAS A NEW HALF BROTHER?
According to TMZ, it’s just been confirmed that Beyonce’s father, Mathew Knowles, is the biological parent of a newborn named Nixon. After taking a DNA test, it is clear that the child is Mathew’s first son and was created with his mistress, Alexsandra Wright. The mother of the baby boy claims she had an eight-month affair with Knowles — who is currently finalizing his divorce with his wife of 30 years, Tina. Matt must temporarily pay 82-hundred dollars a month until the paternity suit is finalized.
INDIA.ARIE CLARIFIES LADY GAGA STATEMENTS
We previously reported that India.Arie had some choice words for Lady Gaga’s controversial “Telephone” video. Instead of backpedaling on her comments, the “Ready For Love” singer stands by her initial statements about the clip showing “social irresponsibility” and added the following:
“So let’s clarify one good time, for myself, for my fans and friends, and anyone attempting to disrespect me, twist my words or intimidate me. To be clear, I made the mistake of thinking that I could have a conversation about current events with a mass group of people, of course that NEVER works, because obviously there are too many people who think too many ways to keep it to a simple debate and sharing of ideas… never intend to disrespect any one if it ever comes across that way, it’s a misperception of who I am and intend to be.”
MICHAEL FRANTI AT HANGOUT FESTIVAL
Michael Franti just announced that he will be a part of this year’s Hangout Festival. It takes place from May 14th through the 16th in Gulf Shores, Alabama, and will also feature Ben Harper and Relentless7, The Black Crowes and others. Learn more at HangoutMusicFest.com.
PREVIEW ROB THOMAS’ NEW EP
Rob Thomas’s new Someday EP will be available online on Tuesday, but in the meantime, you can hear a few of the tunes before it comes out. The matchbox twenty frontman and Yahoo Music are making that possible, so head to New.Music.Yahoo.com to start listening now.
STING, ELTON, GAGA TO PERFORM TOGETHER
Sting has called in some heavy hitters to help him out at his annual Rainforest Fund benefit. Reuters reports that at the 21st edition of the event, Sting, Elton John, Lady Gaga and Dame Shirley Bassey all plan to perform a rendition of “Hey Big Spender” together. The benefit, which also promises additional surprise guests, takes place on May 13th at New York’s Carnegie Hall and you can learn more at RainforestFoundationFund.org.
GAGA READY TO WORK ON NEW VIDEO
Fresh off the release of her hit video for her song “Telephone,” it appears that Lady Gaga is already planning her next clip. According to Vogue, the pop star is going to enlist fashion photographer Steve Klein to be at the helm of the video for her next single “Alejandro.” Klein has worked with Madonna on a number of fashion shoots, including her most recent ads for Dolce & Gabbana. No word on when they intend on beginning filming for the video.
TROUBLE IN PARADISE FOR KATY AND RUSSELL?
Is there trouble in paradise for Katy Perry and Russell Brand? According to British paper the Daily Mail there very well might be. A source said that “Russell adores Katy, but he’s not sure he’s capable of being tied down” and that “everyone who knows him isn’t really that surprised.”
KATY PERRY TALKS MUSHROOMS
Katy Perry has revealed one of the secrets to how she keeps her body so fit. And according to ContactMusic.com, it has a lot to do with mushrooms. The Web site reports that the pop star said, “I love mushrooms. I could eat a ton of them. I really love truffles but I hardly ever get them. Mushrooms in general though are so healthy and good for you. I can’t get enough.” Her fiancé Russell Brand is a vegetarian, so perhaps that has something to do with Perry’s love of ‘shrooms.
WILL.I.AM HAS A FAN IN THE U-K
Black Eyed Peas’ frontman will.i.am is making quite the impact across the pond. According to ContactMusic.com, English pop star Cheryl Cole has said that she wants to work with the producer “for the rest of her career,” after he worked on her debut album 3 Words. Will.i.am recently said that he would consider moving to London to be with Cheryl, but Cole, who is going through a nasty divorce from soccer player Ashley Cole, said they are just friends.
YOUNG MONEY INVADES MTV’S SPRING BREAK
During this year’s MTV Spring Break, the entire Young Money family invaded Mexico to perform their smash hit single, “BedRock” 2010. Partygoers got to enjoy Drake, Nicki Minaj, Gudda Gudda, Mack Maine, Tyga, Jae Millz, Lil Twist and Lil Chuckee performing live and giving props to Lil Wayne, who is currently incarcerated for weapons possession. Be sure to check out the video at MTV.com now.
