KE$HA SCORES ANOTHER NUMBER ONE HIT!
According to Billboard, Ke$ha is just the fifth female artist since the beginning of 2000, and the third in the last two years, to earn at least two number one hits from a debut album on Billboard’s Pop Songs radio airplay chart, as “Your Love Is My Drug,” the third single from Animal, climbs to the top spot this week. She spent seven weeks on top of the Pop Songs chart beginning in February with her first single, “TiK ToK.” Ke$ha will perform at a benefit concert in Nashville, Tennessee next Wednesday. All proceeds will go to victims of the recent flooding that ravaged the area.
KATY PERRY IS NUMBER ONE!
Katy Perry’s “California Gurls,” will climb up to the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in its fourth week of release. According to Billboard, it marks the fastest ascent to the top of the chart for an artist signed to Capitol Records in nearly 43 years. The song makes the quickest sprint to the summit by a Capitol single since Bobbie Gentry’s “Ode to Billie Joe” reached the top spot in four weeks on the chart dated August 26th, 1967. Five months before Gentry, the Beatles’ “Penny Lane” had also rocketed to the top spot in just four weeks.
RIHANNA FEELS “COMFORTABLE WITH MATT KEMP
In the July issue of Elle magazine, Rihanna spoke up about her new relationship with Matt Kemp. Ri Ri said that she’s “so happy” with her boyfriend and “feels really comfortable, and it’s so easy.” The singer knows that she has “a chaotic life,” but “talking to him and talking to [her] family” gives her “peace.” The pop star is currently on tour overseas to further promote her Rated R album.
BEP, LEGEND & MORE PREPARE FOR WORLD CUP!
Black Eyes Peas, John Legend and Juanes attended a South African media event yesterday to promote the June 10th FIFA World Cup Kick-Off Celebration Concert. According to Billboard, Fergie from B.E.P. even managed to kick one of the official match balls despite wearing heels. The kick-off concert is the first ever staged by FIFA ahead of a World Cup. It takes place at the refurbished Orlando Stadium in Soweto, and will have a global live broadcast from 8:00 PM local time. The 2010 FIFA World Cup takes place from June 11th to July 11th. It was also recently announced that R. Kelly will perform the official 2010 FIFA World Cup Anthem, “Sign of a Victory,” at the June 11th opening ceremony at Soccer City.
RICKY MARTIN TO TAKE THE BROADWAY STAGE
Ricky Martin will play “Ché” in Evita, which will open on Broadway in the spring of 2012 at the Nederlander Theatre. Elena Roger will make her Broadway debut playing the lead role, reprising her celebrated performance from the 2006 critically acclaimed production in London’s West End.
STATEMENT: Ricky Martin: “I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to perform on many of the world’s largest concert stages, but I’ve never lost my love for the intimacy of the theater. I’m delighted to know that after I’ve had the chance to share new music and tour over the coming year, that I will then return once again to Broadway. I’m looking forward to playing such an essential part in (director) Michael Grandage’s wonderful production and the chance to work with the tremendously talented Elena Roger.”
DONNIE KLANG TALKS DIDDY
According to SingersRoom.com, former Making The Band star Donnie Klang is busy working on his sophomore album, but that hasn’t stopped him from announcing his split from Bad Boy, as well as dishing on what it is like to work with Diddy. Klang said he learned a lot about the business side of things, from working with the mogul. He also said that it’s tough being on a label when the President of it is also an artist.
BRITNEY ACCUSED OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT
Britney Spears has been accused of sexually harassing her bodyguard, who has now quit his job after she allegedly walked around naked in front of him repeatedly. According to ContactMusic.com, Fernando Flores, who also happens to be a former policeman, is now reportedly considering a sexual harassment lawsuit against the pop star.
KANYE TO PERFORM AT BET AWARDS
We’ve just learned viewers can anticipate Kanye West to perform during the 2010 BET Awards. This will mark Ye’s first televised appearance since his onstage outburst with Taylor Swift at last year’s MTV’s Video Music Award show. The rapper will join previously confirmed performers T.I., Nicki Minaj, Drake, Trey Songz and Diddy-Dirty Money. Hosted by Queen Latifah, the 2010 BET Awards Show will broadcast live from Los Angeles on June 27th at 8 PM Eastern.
To view a complete list of nominees, please visit BET.com.
“ALEJANDRO” VIDEO DIRECTOR SPEAKS
The video for Lady Gaga’s hit single “Alejandro” released on Tuesday, and the director Steven Klein spoke to RollingStone.com about the clip. He told the website that Gaga’s “likes epics,” so the video definitely “fits her personality.” He was also pleased that they were able to combine “dance, narrative and attributes of surrealism.” Read more at RollingStone.com.
COULD GAGA POSE FOR PLAYBOY?
Could Lady Gaga be getting ready to pose for Playboy? The “Bad Romance” singer told British paper the Daily Star that it won’t be happening anytime soon because she’s “all about the music.” But she still wouldn’t completely rule out posing altogether, saying that the mag should ask her again when she has a “new album to plug.”
KELLY CLARKSON TALKS PERFORMING FOR OBAMA
Over the weekend, Kelly Clarkson had a chance to perform for President Obama at an event at the historic Ford Theater that will air as part of a Fourth of July special on ABC. Unfortunately, the original American Idol didn’t seem too pleased when she wrote on her Twitter account afterwards, saying that she “could have done better,” but that she managed to do “alright.” She did happily say that it was an “honor” to do the performance, and that she “loved” the dress she got to wear.
JENNIFER LOPEZ LOVES TO HEAR HER OWN MUSIC
According to the New York Post, Jennifer Lopez pulled a diva move during a housewarming/vow renewal party with husband Marc Anthony. A source revealed that J-Lo reportedly asked the DJ to play her new single six times. The spy says “It was a bit much. I guess she was testing it out.” Celebrities like Quincy Jones, Mary J. Blige, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie attended the party.
SHERYL CROW GETS SOME HELP ON NEW ALBUM
Sheryl Crow’s new album 100 Miles From Memphis comes out on July 20th, and she has enlisted some special guests for the project. The singer-songwriter told Billboard.com that she worked with both Justin Timberlake and legendary Rolling Stones’ guitarist Keith Richards on one song apiece. Read what else Sheryl has to say about the project at Billboard.com. <ZS>
BON JOVI SAY WHY THEY DID A RESIDENCY
So why did Bon Jovi decide to do a residency at London’s O2 Arena? Well drummer Tico Torres has the answer. In an interview with BangShowBiz.com, the kitman said that the band thought, “Wouldn’t it be a nice idea for people to come and see us for a change without us moving.” He also said that he has “made a point of saying hello to all of the security people” because they will “be getting to know each other quite well.” The band’s residency kicked off on Monday.
JACK JOHNSON IS NUMBER ONE WITH TO THE SEA
Jack Johnson will debut at number one on the Billboard album chart with To The Sea selling over 243-thousand copies according to Nielsen SoundScan. The album breaks an eight-week long streak of the top album selling less than 200-thousand copies. Last week’s number one album, Glee: The Music, Volume 3: Showstoppers, slips to number three, while Justin Bieber’s My World 2.0 climbs one rung to number two. Lady Antebellum’s Need You Now remains at number four, Usher’s Raymond v Raymond stays number five and Lady Gaga’s The Fame is locked in at number six. Carole King and James Taylor’s Live at the Troubadour moves up two spots to number seven, while Taio Cruz’s debut album Rokstarr, bows at number eight and Clay Aiken debuts at number nine with his standards album Tried & True. Ke$ha’s debut album Animal climbs seven spots to round out the top ten.
NORAH JONES HAS A BUSY SUMMER AHEAD
Norah Jones is going to have a very busy summer. According to a press release, the singer-songwriter is playing the Good Morning America summer concert series on Friday, will be at Bonnaroo on Saturday, and then kick off a 21-date European tour on the 21st. After all that, she’ll head back to states for five shows with the Lilith Fair, and then six more with Corinne Bailey Rae. Get all the info at NorahJones.com.
GREEN DAY WANTS TO ADD MORE TO ROCK BAND
Green Day: Rock Band came out this week and the trio has been talking a lot about the release of the video game. Although it features 47 songs from the band, singer Billie Joe Armstrong tells MTV News that they may add some older tracks to it. He says he’d like to see songs from their 1990 debut album 39/Smooth on there, as well as stuff from 1992’s Kerplunk. The cool thing about Rock Band is that songs can be added at anytime, so fans and the band will likely be happy to see the rockers reach into their back catalogue in the future.
LOLLAPALOOZA SCHEDULE RELEASED
The Lollapalooza schedule has been released! Music lovers who are attending the three-day fest in Chicago’s Grant Park on August 6th-8th can now set up their lists of who to see. As for conflicting performances, on Friday night you’ll have to choose between The Strokes or Lady Gaga, and on Sunday it’ll be between the recently reunited Soundgarden and Arcade Fire. For details visit Lollapalooza.com.
GREEN DAY WANTS TO ADD MORE TO ROCK BAND
Green Day: Rock Band came out this week and the trio has been talking a lot about the release of the video game. Although it features 47 songs from the band, singer Billie Joe Armstrong tells MTV News that they may add some older tracks to it. He says he’d like to see songs from their 1990 debut album 39/Smooth on there, as well as stuff from 1992’s Kerplunk. The cool thing about Rock Band is that songs can be added at anytime, so fans and the band will likely be happy to see the rockers reach into their back catalogue in the future.
DANIEL LANOIS RECOVERING FROM MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT
Longtime U2 producer and collaborator Daniel Lanois has been in a motorcycle accident. According to multiple reports, Lanois is in a hospital in Los Angeles and is in intensive care. Billboard reports that he is expected to make a full recovery. At press time, U2 had yet to release a statement.
LIL WAYNE JUMPS ON DRAKE’S “LIGHT UP” RECORD
Lil Wayne isn’t letting prison stop him from recording new material. According to MTV News, Weezy laid down new verses on Drake’s “Light Up” song with Jay-Z. The rap star recorded over the phone and admits, in the song, that he hopes “the call doesn’t drop.” Drake later revealed the revamped version during a UStream session. The original song will appear on Drizzy’s Thank Me Later, slated to arrive on June 15th release. The Toronto rapper told MTV 2 Sucker Free host DJ Envy that he’s working on a joint album with Wayne — visit MTV.com to learn more.
EMINEM WON’T PUSH RELEASE DATE UP
Even though Eminem’s Recovery album was leaked way before its scheduled launch date, the rapper’s publicist told XXLMag.com that the project won’t be pushed up. Slim Shady’s rep Dennis Dennehey says fans will still be able to grab a physical copy on June 22nd. <WM>
In related news, Eminem reveals on a record titled “Talkin’ To Myself” that he contemplated making a diss record against Kanye West and Lil Wayne.
ACTUAL VERSE: “Hatred was flowing through my veins, on the verge of going insane / I almost made a song dissing Lil Wayne. It’s like I was jealous of him because of the attention he was getting, I felt horrible about myself / He was spittin’ and I wasn’t / Anyone who was buzzin back then could of got it, almost went at Kanye too / Thank God, I didn’t do it, I would of had my ass handed to me.”
EMINEM’S PRODUCTION CREDITS
If you’ve heard some of Eminem’s Recovery album, you’d know the rapper recruited the best of the best production-wise. RapRadar.com compiled a list of who Slim Shady worked with on the project — due on June 22nd.
1. Cold Wind Blows- Just Blaze
2. Talkin’ 2 Myself Feat. Kobe- DJ Khalil
3. On Fire- Mr. Porter
4. Won’t Back Down Feat. P!nk — DJ Khalil
5. W.T.P.- Supa Dups
6. Going Through Changes- Emile Haynie
7. Not Afraid- Boi 1da
8. Seduction- Boi 1da
9. No Love Feat. Lil Wayne- Just Blaze
10. Space Bound- Jim Jonsin
11. Cinderella Man- Script Shepherd
12. 25 To Life- DJ Khalil
13. So Bad- Dr. Dre & Nick Brongers
14. Almost Famous- DJ Khalil
15. Love the Way You Lie Feat Rihanna- Alex Da Kid
16. You’re Never Over- Just Blaze
LL COOL J WORKING ON NEW ALBUM?
DrewReports.com has learned LL Cool J wants to record a follow-up to 2008’s Exit 13 album. The NCIS actor says the project will “be relevant for who [he is] at this point in [his] life as a human being.” The rap legend adds, “those who want to hear it will be able to live with it and love it and those who can’t appreciate it because it doesn’t sound ‘pop’ enough, can absolutely ignore it.” No release date or title is known at this time.
