JT’S BENEFIT CONCERT
Justin Timberlake’s annual benefit concert, Justin Timberlake and Friends, a Special Evening Benefiting Shriners Hospitals for Children, raised over one-million dollars on Saturday night. It marks the third year in a row the event has raised over one million dollars to provide additional funds that help support Shriners Hospitals For Children, which provide medical services for children around the country. The concert featured performances from Christina Aguilera, Elton John, Lady Antebellum, Salt-N-Pepa, Diddy, Selena Gomez and T-Pain. Timberlake also performed a set including a soulful solo acoustic version of “Cry Me a River,” which blended into Bill Withers’ “Ain’t No Sunshine.” Keeping the vibe mellow and intimate, he stayed seated on a stool with just his guitar and picked his way through “What Goes Around…/…Comes Around” with plenty of help from the audience before busting into a full-band version of “Rock Your Body.”
CHRISTINA TAKES THE STAGE IN LAS VEGAS
Christina Aguilera performed at Planet Hollywood’s Theatre for the Performing Arts in Las Vegas as part of Justin Timberlake and Friends, Benefit for the Shriners Hospitals for Children on Saturday night. According to E!Online, Christina took the stage wearing a skintight black bodysuit with a leather bustier and ripped through a set of classics including “Ain’t No Other Man,” “Fighter” and “Beautiful.” Timberlake introduced his old touring pal and Mickey Mouse Club cohort, saying Christina is “no contest, the best vocalist of my generation.” Aguilera will next be seen performing at the American Music Awards. The show airs live from L-A on ABC on November 21st at 8 PM Eastern.
BIEBER TO RELEASE ACOUSTIC ALBUM NEXT MONTH
Justin Bieber will release a new acoustic album next month. The Canadian phenomenon took to Twitter to announce the record will hit shelves on November 23rd. The crooner has previously hinted that the record will include toned-down versions of album cuts from My World and My World 2.0, as well as a freshly recorded track Bieber worked on in Hawaii. In addition to releasing the acoustic album, Bieber also dished in September that he’s working on a follow-up to My World 2.0, slated to drop near the end of next year. The untitled album will also include a contribution from fellow Canadian hitmaker, Drake.
SHAKIRA ROCKS STAPLES CENTER
Shakira took the stage at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday night. According to Billboard.com, the show featured the Colombian singer performing about half her songs in English and the other half in Spanish. She belted out songs from her 14-year catalog, including the breakthrough hit “Wherever, Whenever,” her latest single “Loca,” as well as covers of Metallica’s “Nothing Else Matters” and EMF’s “Unbelievable.” She ended the show with a stage full of children singing along to her 2010 World Cup anthem, “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa).” Shakira’s The Sun Comes Out Tour rolls into Indio, California tonight.
VIDEO! Check out this video from Shakira performing “Loca” at her Saturday night show at the Staples Center in Los Angeles: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7wEOk-3kAA&
MARTHA STEWART LOVES EMINEM
After being crowned MTV’s 2010 Hottest MC in the Game, Eminem has also won support from an unlikely fan: Martha Stewart. The female business magnate told MTV News that Slim Shady was deserving of the title because “he has an album that’s, like, close to the top of the charts. It’s always been Eminem. I don’t know why, but it’s always been. [He’s] huge, huge, huge.” Em was awarded top honors for delivering a multi-platinum selling album, Recovery, which boasted singles like “Not Afraid” and “Love the Way You Lie” featuring Rihanna.
2010 HOTTEST MCs IN THE GAME
1. Eminem
2. Jay-Z
3. Kanye West
4. Drake
5. Rick Ross
6. Nicki Minaj
7. Lil Wayne
8. Waka Flocka Flame
9. B.o.B.
10. Ludacris
BEYONCE READIES SECOND FRAGRANCE
According to TheBeyonceNetwork.com, Beyonce Knowles is looking to capitalize on the success of her signature Heat fragrance. The multi-talented singer will reportedly launch a second line designed for a more “everyday fragrance” rather than the intense sensual scent in the first perfume. Fans will be able to get their hands on Heat Rush in February.
LADY GAGA GOES GRAY
Has Lady Gaga gone gray? PerezHilton.com has gotten their hands on some pictures of the pop star from over the weekend in London, and they show Gaga with her long hair dyed gray, black and white. See the pics on the gossip site now.
GAGA’S VIDEOS VIEWED ONE-BILLION TIMES
Lady Gaga is the first person to reach one-billion views on YouTube. According to GagaDaily.com, the “one-billion” accounts for videos that have been uploaded to the pop star’s official YouTube channel, including “Poker Face,” “Paparazzi,” “Bad Romance” and “Telephone.” Gaga took to her Twitter to say that because of this, she has now dubbed her fans the “kings and queens” of YouTube.
SWIFT SPENDS TIME WITH JAKE GYLLENHAAL
Taylor Swift spent time in New York City this past weekend, and according to People magazine, she was accompanied by actor Jake Gyllenhaal. The two attended Saturday Night Live, which was hosted by Taylor’s good friend Emma Stone, and a source said, “They walked around together backstage, but they were careful not to be seen too close. It was hard to tell if they were together, but everyone was shocked that she brought him.” On Sunday, the pair had brunch with another couple and were also spotted strolling around Brooklyn’s Park Slope neighborhood.
KANYE IS NOT A FAN OF RECENT AWARD WINNERS
It’s no surprise rapper Kanye West has strong opinions about award shows, and he recently spoke with Access Hollywood about the artists he believes did not deserve a GRAMMY Award for Album of the Year. He said, “Where’s our instant replay clock? Why are the last four Albums of the Year: Taylor Swift, Dixie Chicks, Ray Charles and Herbie Hancock? Like, you know, with all due respect… that’s inaccurate.” Kanye mentioned he would have liked to have see other artists such as Justin Timberlake and Usher win the award instead.
MADONNA TO GO BACK TO MALAWI
Madonna will be heading to Malawi sometime before Christmas. According to British paper the Daily Mirror, the Queen of Pop is planning to visit the African country to do some charity work, since, according to a source, Madonna likes “nothing more than rolling up her sleeves and shoving her hands down a blocked well. She likes to do her bit.” The paper also repots that the Material Girl also wants to take her adopted son David, who is from Malawi, to see his biological father.
MICHAEL BUBLE IS HAPPY HE DIDN’T GO ON IDOL
Michael Buble didn’t become one of the biggest singers in the world by winning American Idol or The X-Factor. He did it the old fashioned way — by performing gig after gig — and he insists that he wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. According to ContactMusic.com, he’s “glad” that he had to struggle to make it as a singer because it made him “appreciate” where he is now. He also said that all of his experiences have helped him keep his ego in check.
KATY PERRY WEDDING JEWELRY DRAMA
From all accounts, Katy Perry and Russell Brand had a marvelous wedding in India over the weekend, but it wasn’t without a little controversy. The pop star was pictured wearing a nath — a traditional nose ring worn by brides in India — and according to E! Online, people were saying that she was wearing it on the wrong side of her face, signifying that she’s a prostitute and not a bride-to-be. E! reports that after some investigating, they found out that it doesn’t matter which side the nath is worn on anymore, and not only that, but that Katy was actually wearing fancy sunglasses with a chain, and didn’t get her nosed pierced at all. Learn more at EOnline.com.
KATE VOEGELE PICKS UP TAYLOR’S NEW ALBUM
Taylor Swift’s new album Speak Now is in stores, and at least one fellow singer-songwriter has already picked it up. Kate Voegele wrote on her Twitter account that she picked it up at Starbucks yesterday morning as she went for coffee. See what else the One Tree Hill star is up to at Twitter.com/KateVoegele.
MICHAEL FRANTI HAS TO POSTPONE A SHOW
Michael Franti had to postpone his show in Buffalo, New York over the weekend due to a “medical emergency.” The “Say Hey (I Love You)” singer then took to his Twitter to say that he had to have “surgery to remove a blocked kidney stone,” and that it is a “rather painful bump in the road.” This isn’t the first time that Michael’s had some medical problems, as he told us that a ruptured appendix almost killed him a little while back (See Related Cut #5). Thankfully he ended up being fine, and should recover fully from this surgery as well. The show has already been rescheduled for November 8th.
SARA BAREILLES MAKES THINGS DIFFICULT
Sara Bareilles didn’t make things easy on anyone writing about her new album Kaleidoscope Heart, as the first word is quite difficult to spell, and the spelling just gets tougher when you account for her tricky last name. The singer-songwriter said that it was all part of her plan (See Related Cut #6). Difficult to spell or not, Kaleidoscope Heart is in stores now, so pick it up if you haven’t already.
T.I. WON’T BE CHARGED FOR DRUGS
According to TMZ, the L-A County District Attorney has announced that T.I. won’t face any additional charges stemming from his September arrest. The rapper allegedly possessed a controlled substance and tested positive for opiates during his arrest, but the D-A feels Clifford’s current 11-month sentence already covers violating the terms of his probation. Visit TMZ to learn more!
JANET JACKSON DENIES ENGAGEMENT RUMORS
Late last week, In Touch Magazine reported that Janet Jackson and Wissam Al Mana were engaged. However, during an appearance on ABC’s Good Morning America, the icon says it’s not true. The singer-turned-actress explained, “He’s a very private man, so I don’t talk about our relationship,” adding “I’m not engaged, I will say that.” The pair has been dating since last spring. So much for that 15-carat diamond ring Mana allegedly bought for her!
SWIZZ SUED OVER “DRINK AND MY TWO STEP”
XXLMag.com has learned Swizz Beatz is currently facing a lawsuit for allegedly failing to give royalties for the songwriter responsible for Cassidy’s “My Drink N My 2 Step.” Antwann Frost claims the producer offered to only pay him five-thousand dollars with five percent ownership of the club banger. Frost is seeking equal ownership of the record since he created “all of the other original musical components that shaped and defined” the song.
SWIZZ BEATZ ANNOUNCES MONSTER MONDAYS
Following in the footsteps of Kanye West, Swizz Beatz has promised to deliver new music on what’s being dubbed Monster Mondays. Yesterday, the hitmaker issued a new tune called “DJ Play the Beat” featuring Estelle. The beginning of the work week just got that much easier.
SONG LINK: http://www.basquiatmusic.com/
JAY-Z TO WORK FOR OBAMA?
According to the New York Post, Jay-Z could potentially play a big role in the upcoming re-election campaign for President Barack Obama. As far as Hov being considered to replace National Economic Council Director Larry Summers, Deputy White House Press Secretary William Burton told the paper, “In all seriousness, keep in mind [Jay-Z] was pretty active during the 2008 election, so I don’t think it’d surprise anyone that he would be involved again. But it’s a little premature.” The mogul is yet to confirm or deny the speculation; we’ll keep you posted with further updates!
DRAKE PREPS KODAK SCAVENGER HUNT
Drake has teamed with XXLMag.com and Kodak to present an exclusive giveaway for the new Kodak Easyshare M590 camera. The first five lucky contestants that take ten pictures from the Easyshare M590 scavenger hunt checklist will win the thinnest 5x optical digital camera! Yesterday, fans were asked to snap a picture of themselves holding Drizzy’s Thank Me Later LP as well as a photo of a Canadian flag. Visit XXLMag.com to learn more!
KINGS OF LEON GO STRAIGHT TO NUMBER ONE IN U-K
Kings of Leon went straight to number on the U-K album chart with their new record Come Around Sundown. NME reports that the band scored the biggest first week digital album sales in chart history. This is the third number one album for Kings of Leon in the U-K. We’ll see where Come Around Sundown debuts on the U-S charts tomorrow.
KINGS OF LEON DRUMMER GETS MRI
Kings of Leon drummer Nathan Followill is having some problems with his shoulder. Followill updated fans via Twitter that he was having an MRI on his shoulder before heading to Letterman for the band’s TV performance. The group is doing press in support of their brand new album, Come Around Sundown, which is out now.
U2 PLAY NASHVILLE FOR FIRST TIME IN ALMOST 30 YEARS
U2 hasn’t played Nashville, Tennessee in 29 years, but the Irish band is heading down south next year. The group’s 360 º Tour will stop at the Vanderbilt Stadium in Music City on July 2nd. Florence and the Machine is set to open the show. More details can be found now at U2.com.
COUNTRY ARTISTS TAKE OVER AMA’S RED CARPET PRE-SHOW
Country music’s next big star, Jennette McCurdy, has been announced as a host for the American Music Awards live red carpet pre-show along with Danny Gokey. The two will also be joined by Lance Bass and MTV’s reality star Whitney Port. The live broadcast will air on November 21st and can be viewed on ABC.com.
