LADY GAGA TO RELEASE NEW SONG IN FEBRUARY
Lady Gaga announced that in February, she will release a new single off her highly anticipated album, Born This Way. Gaga broke the news to fan site Lady-Gaga.net and added that the album is like “bad kids going to church, having fun on a higher level.” While there is still no release date for the record, Gaga’s manager called the effort “incredible” and label boss Akon said the album takes Gaga’s music to the “next level.”
P!NK HAS THE NUMBER ONE SONG IN THE COUNTRY
P!nk’s already having a great end to 2010, as she recently confirmed that she and husband, Carey Hart, are expecting their first child together. And now, she has something else to be thrilled about. According to Billboard.com, the pop star’s latest single, “Raise Your Glass,” is the new number one song in the country this week. It’s P!nk’s third chart-topping tune, joining 2008’s “So What” and her 2001 collaboration “Lady Marmalade,” with Christina Aguilera, Mya and Lil’ Kim.
P!NK’S “RAISE YOUR GLASS” TOASTS AT NUMBER ONE
P!nk celebrates her third number one single, as “Raise Your Glass” rises to the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart today. The singer was last atop the list in September 2008 for a single week, with “So What,” but P!nk’s first Hot 100 chart-topper came in 2001 on the collaborative “Lady Marmalade,” which also featured Christina Aguilera, Lil’ Kim and Mya. Katy Perry’s “Firework” is at number two, while Rihanna falls from the top spot to number three with “Only Girl (In the World).” Bruno Mars’ former number one hit, “Just The Way You Are,” leaps three notches to number four, while his latest single, “Grenade,” blows up, shooting seven spots to number ten. Rihanna’s “What’s My Name?” featuring Drake is up three spots to number five.
JUSTIN BIEBER GETS LEAKED
Justin Bieber only released one new track, “Pray,” on his just-released My Worlds Acoustic, but it seems that he is working on some more music. A song called “Latin Girl” leaked online late Monday with no information about where it came from or when it was recorded. No further information about where the track will eventually end up was available, and a rep for the singer had not responded to MTV News’ request for comment by press time. Bieber has admitted that he is working on new music for an album to be released sometime in 2011. He also said that the album will likely feature Drake and that he would like to collaborate with Lil’ Wayne.
KANYE TOPS ALBUM CHART
Kanye West tops the Billboard album chart with My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy selling over 496-thousand copies, while Nicki Minaj debuts at number two with Pink Friday, which sold over 375-thousand copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan. West scores his fourth straight number one album and the fourth-best sales week of 2010. According to Billboard, this week marks the first time in two years that the Billboard album chart has seen two albums bow with more than 300-thousand units. It last happened back in December of 2008, when Beyonce’s I Am … Sasha Fierce started at the top with 482-thousand copies while Nickelback’s Dark Horse debuted at number two with 326-thousand copies. Last week’s number one album, Susan Boyle’s The Gift falls to number three, Taylor Swift’s Speak Now rises five spots to number four and Jackie Evancho’s O Holy Night falls three spots to number five. Justin Bieber’s Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club-exclusive set, My Worlds Acoustic, debuts at number seven, selling over 115-thousand copies.
SUSAN BOYLE GETS CHOKED UP ON THE VIEW
Susan Boyle got a little choked up on The View on Tuesday morning. The Scottish singer appeared on the morning show sing her rendition of “O Holy Night” from her recent chart-topping holiday-themed album, The Gift. Everything was going smoothly until the last few notes when Boyle choked on the lyrics and signaled for the music to be stopped. She explained to hosts Whoopi Goldberg and Sherri Shepherd that she “had a frog in her throat” as they came up to congratulate her.
Check out the performance here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZXFY96u4Js
NICKI MINAJ KNOWS SHE’S DESTINED TO BE GREAT
Nicki Minaj would be lying if she told us that she never had any reservations or concerns about not gaining a solid fan base or selling records. The fem-cee shared her early apprehensions and explained why she’s no longer timid about her hip hop career (See Related Cut #4). The “Right Thru Me” rapper’s debut LP, Pink Friday, has claimed the number two slot on the Billboard 200 chart with 375-thousand copies sold. Onika now has the second highest first-week sales ranking for a female rapper after Lauryn Hill’s The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, which sold over 423-thousand units in 1998.
NICKI RESPONDS TO REGIS TOUCHING HER ASS
Did you see Regis Philbin grope Nicki Minaj after she performed “Right Thru Me” on Live With Regis and Kelly earlier this week? One of her fans asked her on Twitter how she felt about him touching her thigh and her much-talked-about assets. Minaj simply wrote, “LOL. I was in shock!” This is the second time a celebrity has grabbed her butt — Rihanna recently took a handful during the 2010 American Music Awards!
LEONA LEWIS DOESN’T LOVE ALL ANIMALS
Leona Lewis is known for being a supporter and lover of all animals, but apparently, there’s still one that she despises — “evil cats.” The former X-Factor winner told British paper the Daily Mirror that a “cat jumped” on her the other week, and that it “hissed” at her and “scratched” her, and that she “didn’t know what to do.” She ended the story by simply saying, “It was an evil cat. I don’t like evil cats.”
LEONA GIVES AN ALBUM UPDATE
Leona Lewis has revealed some information about her third studio album. The pop star had a chat on UStream recently, where she revealed that she’s been working with French DJ David Guetta for a song on the still-untitled record. She also said that she hopes to have the effort out by summer 2011, but that everything is still in its “very early stages.”
LEONA, DUFFY, LILY & MORE ARE YOUNG AND RICH
Heat magazine has released their list of the 30 Richest British Stars Under 30, and some familiar names made the cut. Actors Daniel Radcliffe and Keira Knightly are at the top, and coming in at number six with a worth of close to 20-million dollars is Leona Lewis. Amy Winehouse is 15th with approximately 12-million dollars, and Duffy, Natasha Bedingfield and Lily Allen came in at 19th, 23rd and 24th, respectively.
GET MICHAEL FRANTI’S NEW ALBUM FOR CHEAP
If you’re yet to pick up Michael Franti’s new album, The Sound of Sunshine, now might be the time to do it. That’s because until the end of the year, it only costs five dollars on Amazon.com. Michael will be performing his song “Hey Hey Hey,” which is on the album, on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson tomorrow night.
VH1 DIVAS IS THIS WEEKEND
Don’t forget that the Vh1 Divas Salute to the Troops airs on Sunday night. It features an incredible line-up of performers that includes Katy Perry, Sugarland, Keri Hilson, Nicki Minaj, Paramore, Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, and Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart, while there will be appearances by Brandy, Marisa Miller, comedian Jeffery Ross and Snooki and The Situation from Jersey Shore. And of course, it’s all hosted by the hilarious Kathy Griffin. Vh1 Divas Salute to the Troops airs Sunday night at 9 PM Eastern on Vh1.
MADONNA’S EX TALKS MARRIAGE, POSES IN BRIEFS
Madonna’s ex-boyfriend, Jesus Luz, is posing in his bathing suit for the New York Post, and is also talking about his future relationship plans. The Brazilian model says that he may be back on the dating scene yet, but that he’s not planning on staying single forever. He says that at some point in his life, he wants “to be married and have children.”
IS JOHN MAYER GOING AFTER EVA LONGORIA?
Can there ever be a newly single woman without her being connected to John Mayer? According to Billboard.com, there are rumors floating around that the singer-songwriter wants to date Eva Longoria, who is in the process of divorcing her basketball playing husband Tony Parker. But a friend of the actress says that John doesn’t stand a chance, and that he can “send all the flowers in the world and even show up under her window with his guitar and it would make no difference.”
JAY-Z OPENS 40/40 CLUB IN AIRPORTS?
BallerStatus.com has learned Jay-Z’s popular 40/40 Club nightclubs are expected to hit airports near you. The mogul’s franchise landed a deal that will allow travelers to “receive first-class experiences” while relaxing and watching their favorite sports programs. Hova’s chain will be available in 20 major U-S airports very soon! No further details are known at this time.
LIL WAYNE’S EP GOES GOLD
We’ve just learned Lil Wayne’s latest album, I Am Not A Human Being, has officially gone gold. The accomplishment marks Weezy’s second plaque in 2010, after achieving similar success with his rock-inspired effort, Rebirth. Not too bad for an artist who was restricted with album promotions due to the fact that he was serving a 9-month prison sentence for weapons possession.
CIARA ISSUES URBAN VERSION OF “GIMME DAT”
Ciara has just unleashed the official Urban Bass Remix of her latest single, “Gimme Dat.” The revamped version was handled by noted producer Soundz, who was on hand to help create the original song alongside The Dream. Check out the cut on YouTube now and look for Ci Ci’s upcoming Basic Instinct LP when it drops on December 14th!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TikydPdT28Y
MARY J BLIGE LANDS ACTING GIG?
SingersRoom.com has learned Mary J. Blige is reportedly vying to star in a film adaptation of the Broadway musical, Rock of Ages. The Queen of Hip Hop Soul could potentially land a supporting role in the project, which currently has Tom Cruise and Taylor Swift attached. New Line Cinemas are looking to release the film sometime next year. We’ll keep you posted with further details!
BILLIE JOE HEADS BACK TO BROADWAY
Billie Joe Armstrong is headed back to Broadway. Rolling Stone reports that the Green Day singer will revive his role as “St. Jimmy” in the American Idiot play for 50 more performances. Armstrong returns to the stage for shows in January and February. For ticket details, visit AmericanIdiotOnBroadway.com.
GREEN DAY DADDY
Green Day’s Mike Dirnt is a daddy again. The bassist and his wife welcomed their third child, a daughter, into the world on Sunday night. Dirnt has not revealed his daughter’s name to the press yet.
NEON TREES WANNA LIGHT UP THE WORLD
Neon Trees took over the States in 2010, but they’re not done yet. The Utah band spoke to Billboard about their plans for world domination. Bassist Branden Campbell said they have dreams of going “all across the world” and he hopes their single “Animal,” which just came out overseas, will be as popular worldwide. The band believes they have a few more singles from their debut album, Habits, so don’t expect the group to get into the studio anytime soon.
BOB GELDOF SLAMS HIS CHRISTMAS CLASSIC
Bob Geldof says he doesn’t like his 1984 Christmas classic “Do They Know It’s Christmas” anymore. According to the Daily Mail, the do-gooder rock star says he is “responsible for two of the worst songs in history: ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas’ and ‘We Are the World.’ We still love them, Bob!
TRAVIS BARKER PROMOTES HEALTHY LIFESTYLE
Travis Barker won’t let the death of his dear friend DJ AM be in vain. That’s why the drummer is teaming up with One Life One Chance, an organization that raises awareness about healthy drug-free lifestyles. Barker told UsMagazine.com, “It’s good that these kids can see that not every rock star is a drug addict.” DJ AM lost his life after a drug overdose back in 2009. Barker is donating several drum kits to schools in New York City to promote the program.
