WILLOW SMITH DROPS “21st CENTURY GIRL”
Willow Smith has released “21st Century Girl,” her highly anticipated follow-up to “Whip My Hair.” The dance track is on sale at iTunes now. The daughter of Will and Jada Pinkett-Smith made a splash last fall with her debut single, “Whip My Hair,” which became an Internet phenomenon and peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100. Willow will perform the new single for the first time on The Oprah Winfrey Show today. Smith will open for Justin Bieber on his My World Tour in the U-K, which kicks off on Friday.
WILL.I.AM LEAKS SNIPPET OF NEW BRITNEY TRACK
Will.i.am has leaked a snippet of a track from Britney Spears’ Femme Fatale album called “The Big Fat Bass.” The Black Eyed Peas frontman popped the clip up on his DipDive.com website. He posted the snippet along with a note addressed directly to Spears that reads: “Thank you Britney for collaborating it was a pleasure working with you. Thank you for trusting my instincts. You’re a doll.” Britney announced last week that she will perform a special concert in San Francisco on March 29th, the same day Femme Fatale hits stores. The performance will air live on Good Morning America.
Check out the snippet of “The Big Fat Bass” here: http://dipdive.com/member/iamwill/media/171985
SHAKIRA GOES TO HARVARD!
Shakira was honored with Harvard University’s Artist of the Year award this past weekend. The singer attended the University’s annual cultural festival and gave a short speech to the students.
Check out the video of Shakira’s inspiring speech at Harvard University: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MBnEhjPkNE
GAGA TO BE ON IDOL SEASON FINALE
Some big news has come out about the American Idol season finale — and it has to do with Lady Gaga. According to RumorFix.com, the pop star will have a “special performance” during the show. The finale is still months away and the website reports that it’s the first time Idol has booked someone so far in advance.
GAGA CHANGES UP HER LOOK
Just in time for the release of the video for her new song “Born This Way,” Lady Gaga has given herself a bit of a makeover. The pop star posted a picture of her new look on Twitter, saying that she dyed her “bangs black,” and that it’s her new “monsterlook.” See it for yourself now at Twitter.com/LadyGaga.
ADAM LEVINE’S NEW TATTOO
Adam Levine has a new tattoo. The Maroon 5 frontman posted a picture on his Twitter page of his new ink, which is a tribute to his mother. See the pic of Adam’s new tat at Twitter.com/AdamLevine.
NICK JONAS SINGS “ROCKETEER”
Nick Jonas did a cover of hit song “Rocketeer” from Far East Movement. You can find video of the singer performing the track by searching YouTube for “Rocketeer Nick Jonas.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Rd_Is7yjxM
JANET’S TRUE YOU BOOK IS NY TIMES BEST-SELLER
Janet Jackson’s first book, True You: A Journey to Finding and Loving Yourself, has received great reviews and soared high on the coveted New York Times Best Seller List. The icon’s first literary effort reveals her personal struggles with weight gain, self-esteem and finding happiness. The 272-page book landed at number one on this week’s chart. Be sure to pick up your copy today!
DAUGHTRY WORKING ON NEW MUSIC
Chris Daughtry has been working on new music. The former American Idol contestant wrote on Twitter that he’s been working at his home studio on a new song tentatively titled “Breaking My Fall.” No official word from Chris on when we’ll get to hear any new music from him or his band.
KYLIE MAKES DANCE CHART HISTORY
Kylie Minogue is making history. According to Billboard.com, the Aussie pop star holds the number one place on the Dance/Club Play Songs chart with her tune “Better than Today,” and the number three spot with her Taio Cruz collaboration “Higher,” making her the first artist to hold two of the top three positions on the chart in its 35-year history. Congrats Kylie!
ADELE’S ALBUMS ARE 1 AND 2 IN U-K
Adele is on track to have the number one album in America with her latest effort, 21, but even if that turns out to be true, it will still be very difficult to match what is happening to her in the U-K. According to NME.com, Adele is holding down the top two spots on the U-K album chart, as 21 is at the summit, and her previous album, 2008’s 19, is at number two. Her song “Someone Like You” is the top single in the U-K as well.
ADELE SPEAKS ABOUT HER WEIGHT
Adele is speaking out a bit about her weight. In an interview with British magazine Celebs on Sunday, the “Rolling in the Deep” singer said that “no one has ever told her” that she needs to lose weight, and that she doesn’t have to rely on her “t***s to have hits.”
NELLY DONATES GADDAFI MONEY TO CHARITY
With the current uprising in Libya against leader Muammar Gaddafi, Nelly Furtado is washing her hands of the money she made performing for the dictator back in 2007. According to Rap-Up.com, Furtado performed for Gaddafi in Italy back in 2007 and she will donate the one-million dollars she earned from the event to charity.
STATEMENT: Nelly released the following statement: “In 2007, I received one-million dollars from the Qaddafi clan to perform a 45 minute show for guests at a hotel in Italy. I am going to donate the money.”
SWIFT TAKES “BACK TO DECEMBER” TO #1
Taylor Swift has yet another number one smash on her hands as her song “Back To December” sits at the top of the country charts. Though the tune is the second consecutive number one single released from her multi-platinum album Speak Now, it still mark a special first for Taylor. The country superstar admits the track is her first apology song, an act she rarely does unless it’s truly deserved (See Related Cut #4). Taylor will continue her highly-successful Speak Now World Tour in Europe this month, playing Belgium this weekend before traveling to Norway, Germany, Spain, Italy, Paris and London.
NICKI MINAJ ADMIRES LIL WAYNE
Nicki Minaj is living proof that hard work always pays off. But the Young Money stand out is quick to let everyone know that she owes a lot of her success to Lil Wayne. Here’s why (See Related Cut #5). The fem-cee has announced that her next single off her platinum selling Pink Friday album will be “Did It On ‘Em” — look for the video soon!
In related news, the rapper’s hit single, “Moment 4 Life” featuring Drake, has landed at the number one spot on Billboard’s R&B/Hip-hop chart.
KELLY ROWLAND RECORDS WITH LIL WAYNE
Kelly Rowland’s rep has just confirmed that her forthcoming third studio record will not be named Motivation. SingersRoom.com reports the former Destiny’s Child singer has recorded a Rico Love-penned song called “Motivation” which features Lil Wayne. Fans can expect the album title for the project to be revealed on her official website, KellyRowland.com, and fansite, OMKelly.com, in the near future. No confirmed release date for the LP is known at this time.
According to her official Facebook page, Kelly explained the album delay saying that “the making of this album has been an emotional roller coaster but empowering for me, which you will hear once it’s all done.” Rowland added, “I’m just taking my time to make sure it’s everything I want it to be.” The disc includes production credits from Rodney ‘Darkchild’ Jerkins, The-Dream and Jermaine Dupri.
WIZ KHLAIFA DROPS NEW VIDEO, UNVEILS ALBUM COVER
Wiz Khalifa has not only released the official artwork for his debut album, Rolling Papers, but he’s also dropped the video to his second single, “Roll Up.” The clip includes a cameo from Diddy’s rumored girlfriend, Cassie, who plays Khalifa’s love interest. Be sure to grab the “Black & Yellow” rapper’s highly anticipated project when it arrives in stores March 29th.
The disc will include production from Jim Jonsin, Benny Blanco, Stargate and more.
ROMEO JOINS DANCING WITH THE STARS
According to TMZ, Romeo Miller has just signed on to appear the twelfth season of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars. Master P’s son is reportedly competing against Wendy Williams, Chris Jericho, Kendra Wilkinson, Kirstie Alley and many others. The 21-year-old rapper was actually invited to participate in the show for the second season but had to forego the opportunity due to a basketball related injury.
BOW WOW STARS IN NEW TYLER PERRY FILM
IMDB.com reports that Bow Wow has been tapped to star in Tyler Perry’s upcoming new comedy, Madea’s Big Happy Family. In the flick, which also includes Lauren London and Cassi Davis, the rapper-turned-actor portrays “Byron,” who is “under pressure to deal drugs again after a stint in jail.” While the movie isn’t slated to open until April 22nd, you can check out the trailer on YouTube now.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IV10SKhOuJI
RICHIE HOPES TO ADD SWIFT ON HIS DUETS ALBUM
Lionel Richie is putting together a Duets CD which includes previously announced artists such as Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton, Darius Rucker and others. Now, according to the New York Post’s Page Six, Lionel wants Taylor Swift to sing his song “Angel” with him on the album. Taylor’s producer, Nathan Chapman, is already part of the Duets project, which has no official release date yet.
