JUSTIN WOULD HAVE MADE IT WITHOUT ’NSYNC
Justin Timberlake always tells it like it is. The singer and actor recently told Elle magazine that he would have found success as a solo artists without the help of his former group, ’NSYNC. He called the group “an amazing platform” but he believes he “would have been heard as a solo artist” without his bandmates.
QUOTE: Justin Timberlake’s quote: “I don’t want this to come out the wrong way. It was an amazing platform but even without it, I believe I would have been heard as a solo artist.”
LADY GAGA SUED OVER “JUDAS”
Lady Gaga is the target of another lawsuit. Chicago-based singer Rebecca Francescatti has filed a lawsuit against the singer for alleged copyright infringement on her hit single “Judas.” According to TMZ, Francescatti claims that “Judas,” a song she recorded in 1999 with her band Rebecca F. & the Memes, has various similarities to Gaga’s track. The suit also points out that Francescatti’s former bass player, Brian Gaynor, is now employed by a music company that wrote 17 songs for Gaga’s Born This Way album. Francescatti’s lawyer, Chris Niro, told TMZ that his client is seeking proper recognition for her original work.
SEE GAGA AS “JO CALDERONE”
Lady Gaga has released the promo shots for her next single, “You & I,” and let’s just say she looks a little different than you’re used to seeing her. They’re pics of Gaga’s male alter-ego, Jo Calderone, and they show Gaga with short black hair, large sideburns and beard stubble. Gaga first unveiled “Calderone” in a 2010 photo-shoot with Vogue Japan. See the pics now at NME.com.
SCHOOLS GET TAYLOR SWIFT COMIC BOOK
Who wouldn’t want to read a comic book based on the life of Taylor Swift, especially if you could get school credit? Bluewater Productions, which released the Taylor comic as part of its Fame series, has partnered with the Graphic Classroom to make middle school and high school lesson plans. Students will be able to use the biographical graphic novels when studying language, historical perspective, conceptual thinking and decision making. The singer, songwriter and fashion icon can now add teacher to her resume.
SELENA GOMEZ: THE COMIC BOOK
Selena Gomez is the subject of a new comic book coming out next month. Selena Gomez: Young At Heart will arrive in stores in September and will come in two versions: a regular comic that will sell for $3.99 and a 40 page graphic novel that will sell for $7.99. The comic will focus on the highlights of Gomez’s life, from childhood dreams to becoming a pop princess. The story starts from her birth and goes up to today, including her relationship with Justin Bieber. Learn more at BlueWaterProd.com.
SEAN KINGSTON AT THE TEEN CHOICE AWARDS
Sean Kingston made his first TV appearance since his jet-ski accident at the Teen Choice Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday night. The singer presented his friend Justin Bieber the surfboard for Choice Male Artist. MTV News caught up with the rapper on the red carpet where he said he is “doing great” and is “100 percent.”
Justin Bieber recently said the two are planning to make “more memories,” alluding that they will collaborate again. The two hooked up on the 2010 song “Eenie Meenie.”
NEW VIDEO FROM CEE-LO FEATURES “URKEL”
Cee-Lo has just released a new video for his tune “Cry Baby.” It stars none other than “Steve Urkel” himself, Jaleel White, who lip-syncs the entire song. As you can imagine, it’s pretty funny. Check it out at PerezHilton.com.
http://perezhilton.com/2011-08-08-cee-lo-green-cry-baby-music-video
CLOTHING LINE DESIGNED BY WINEHOUSE TO BE RELEASED
Before she passed away last month, Amy Winehouse designed two collections for fashion label Fred Perry. Well it seems that the clothing is going to get a posthumous release. According to ContactMusic.com, one collection will be released later this year, while another will come out in 2012. In a statement, the company said that “royalties and fees from both collections will be donated to the soon-to-be-established Amy Winehouse Foundation.”
ADAM LEVINE LAWSUIT
Adam Levine is suing Activision’s new Guitar Hero spinoff, Band Hero. According to a lawsuit filed last week, the Maroon 5 singer is alleging that the game “exploits his name and likeness far beyond what he had agreed to.” TheWrap.com is reporting that Levine did allow his likeness to be used with his band’s song, “She Will Be Loved,” but didn’t know that Band Hero would allow his avatar to be used to sing more than 60 other tracks as well, including many that “would not have been chosen by him for recordings or performances.” Learn more at TheWrap.com.
JENNIFER LOPEZ THRILLER GETS RELEASE DATE
According to SingersRoom.com, Jennifer Lopez’s upcoming thriller, Parker, has finally gotten a release date. Fans can expect the movie, which is based on Donald Westlake’s novel Flashfire, to hit theaters on October 12th, 2012. In the movie, Lopez portrays a real estate agent opposite Jason Statham.
BEYONCE “RESPECTS” JAY-Z’S ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Before Beyonce and Jay-Z said “I do,” we dug up an interview with the singer talking about her opinions on all that Hova accomplished in such a short amount of time. Here’s what Ms. Knowles had to say about the rap mogul (See Related Cut #5). Fast forward to 2011, Jay has just released his joint album with Kanye West, Watch The Throne. Be sure to download the disc today via iTunes and look for the physical copy to hit stores on Friday.
BIG SEAN’S LAWYER DENIES ALL CHARGES
As previously reported, Big Sean was arrested in Buffalo, New York and charged with “third-degree sex abuse, forcible touching and second-degree unlawful imprisonment.” The rapper’s lawyer, Scott E. Leemon, denied the allegations and said in a statement, “I am confident, that after further investigation, both men will be vindicated.” According to BuffaloNews.com, Sean and another man named Willie Antonio Hansbro were released on five-hundred dollars bail.
WATCH THE THRONE DELUXE VERSION AT BEST BUY
We’ve just learned fans can purchase the deluxe version of Kanye West and Jay-Z’s Watch The Throne exclusively at Best Buy locations nationwide from August 12th to August 22nd. The new edition boasts four additional songs, high-end art packaging, an 18-panel poster with lyrics to the entire album, and much more. Put simply, this is a must-have to add to your Jay and ‘Ye collection.
TIDBIT: Here’s the official tracklisting:
1. “No Church In the Wild “(feat. Frank Ocean)
2. “Lift Off” (feat. Beyonce)
3. “N—as In Paris”
4. “Otis” (feat. Otis Redding)
5. “Gotta Have it”
6. “New Day”
7. “That’s My Bitch”
8. “Welcome to the Jungle”
9. “Who’s Gon Stop Me”
10. “Murder to Excellence”
11. “Made In America” (feat. Frank Ocean)
12. “Why I Love You” (feat. Mr. Hudson)
**** DELUXE BONUS TRACKS
1. “Illest M———-r Alive ***”
2. “H.A.M ***”
3. “Primetime ***”
4. “The Joy (feat. Curtis Mayfield) ***”
WEEZER COVER FOSTER THE PEOPLE
Weezer are on tour right now and the guys have worked a few covers into their set. Most notably is the band’s take on Foster the People’s hit single, “Pumped Up Kicks.” They’ve also been giving fans their version of Radiohead’s classic track “Paranoid Android.” To see what the guys have up their sleeves next, check them out at the WaMu Theater in Seattle on August 19th.
PORTUGAL. THE MAN: VAN AND GEAR STOLEN
Portugal. The Man ran into some trouble at Lollapalooza this weekend. The band tweeted that their van, trailer and gear was stolen in Chicago, where the festival took place. The group tweeted the van’s details and license plates, as well as a picture so fans could potentially help them find it.
TWEET OF THE DAY
From matchbox twenty frontman Rob Thomas (@ThisIsRobThomas) — “Hand dryer in the restroom is the equivalent of a senior citizen coughing onto your hands.”
PWT’S FRONTMAN OK WITH BANDMATE SINGING LEAD
The Plain White T’s hit single, “Rhythm of Love,” is different than other songs the guys have released before. That’s because frontman Tom Higgenson doesn’t sing on the track – it’s actually guitarist Tim Lopez whose voice you hear. Well Tom and Tim told us that it didn’t mess with the dynamic of the band too much (See Related Cut #7). The PWT’s current single is “Boomerang,” which features Tom back on vocals.
PLAIN WHITE T’S ANNOUNCE FALL TOUR
The Plain White T’s just announced that they’ll be hitting the road on a headlining tour this fall, joined by The Summer Set, Downtown Fiction and Allison Park. The PWTs will also be opening for Never Shout Never’s Time Travel Tour at select October dates. The band kicks off their U-S tour on September 25th in Minneapolis and continue through November. Get all their dates at PlaineWhiteTs.com.
EVANESCENCE ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM DETAILS
Evanescence will release their self-titled third studio album on October 11th. The band’s first single, “What You Want,” debuts this week and will be available on iTunes today. The group has announced a tour in support of the new record, which kicks off on October 10th in Oakland, California.
ADAM LAMBERT TO PART WAYS WITH RECORD LABEL
Adam Lambert is planning on parting ways with his record label, 19 Entertainment. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the “Whataya Want From Me” singer will no longer be a part of the label that all American Idol contestants become a part of if they make it far enough into the show, but just how soon that will take place is still yet to be seen. Head to HollywoodReporter.com to learn more about the drama that could potentially take place with Lambert wanting to end his contract.
KELLY ROWLAND REACTS TO WARDROBE MALFUNCTION
Have you heard about Kelly Rowland’s wardrobe malfunction over the weekend? The former Destiny’s Child member was performing “Motivation” at 4Sixty6 in West Orange, New Jersey when her right nipple slipped out of her black corset. Shortly after the incident, Rowland tweeted, “New Jersey crowd was amazing!! hope you enjoyed the show and didn’t mind the peekaboo LOL!!! #kanyeshrug #stuffhappens.”
NICKI TO ISSUE RIHANNA-ASSISTED “FLY” THIS FALL
DigitalSpy.com reports Nicki Minaj plans to finally release her next single, “Fly” featuring Rihanna, to the U-K this next month. The song, which is lifted from the fem-cee’s debut album, Pink Friday, is slated to hit airwaves on September 11th. A visual for the clip was shot six months ago.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY WHITNEY HOUSTON!
Today, Whitney Houston turns 48 years old. After being in the music industry for over two decades, the singer recently told us what has been the key to her longevity. While we wish the legendary perform a happy birthday, we’re also hoping that Houston decides to join Angela Bassett in the upcoming sequel to Waiting to Exhale.
