AFRICAN STUDENTS DANCE FOR SHAKIRA
According to The Associated Press, a group of South African students showed Shakira their Zulu dance moves to the rhythm of the African drum Wednesday while the singer was visiting their suburban elementary school south of Johannesburg. Shakira is among the artists that performed Thursday night at the World Cup Kickoff Concert. Juanes, Alicia Keys and the Black Eyed Peas also performed.
SIMON COWELL LENDS SONG TO ENGLISH WORLD CUP RUN
According to The Associated Press, a Simon Cowell-produced song is being used as the theme song for England’s World Cup run. The former American Idol judge worked with rapper Dizzee Rascal and actor James Corden to record “Shout for England,” a hip-hop reworking of Tears for Fears’ 1984 hit “Shout.” The song had its debut this weekend on Britain’s Got Talent. Cowell said he hoped it “could get England to win the World Cup.” England hasn’t won it since 1966. All proceeds of the song are going to charity. USA takes on England, in their first match tomorrow at 2:30 Eastern.
KATY PERRY SCORES NUMBER ONE HIT!
As we previously reported, Katy Perry jumps the top of the Billboard Hot 100 for the second time in her career with “California Gurls.” Perry previously led the list for seven weeks with “I Kissed a Girl” in the summer of 2008. Snoop Dogg, her guest collaborator on the song, reaches the pinnacle for a third time out of 31 chart entries that he’s placed on the list since 1993. Usher gets dislodged from the summit for a second time as “OMG,” featuring will.i.am, falls to number two. “Airplanes” by B.o.B. featuring Hayley Williams holds at number three, while Ke$ha’s “Your Love Is My Drug” stays at number four for a second frame. Travie McCoy moves into the top 10 for the first time as a soloist as “Billionaire” leaps six spots to number five.
“ALEJANDRO” VIDEO CAUSES CONTROVERSY
Lady Gaga’s new video for her song “Alejandro” is certainly ruffling some feathers. The Catholic League is not pleased with the religious imagery that was used, and even Katy Perry wrote on her Twitter page that “using blasphemy as entertainment is as cheap as a comedian telling a fart joke.” MTV News caught up with director Steven Klein who was at the helm of the clip, and he said that “the religious symbolism is not meant to denote anything negative, but represents the character’s battle between the dark forces of this world and the spiritual salvation of the Soul.” Read more at MTV.com.
GAGA GOES TO HER SISTER’S GRADUATION
Lady Gaga went to her little sister’s graduation from Catholic high school in New York City on Tuesday, and in typical Gaga-fashion, she did not go unnoticed. According to the New York Post, the pop star showed up to the ceremony dressed in a “beekeeper’s hat and see-through pants and carried a Chinese-takeout-shaped Chanel bag.” A few of her friends told the paper that it was Gaga’s way of “rubbing the school’s face in the mud.”
CHRIS BROWN DONATES TO AMERICAN RED CROSS
TMZ reports Chris Brown is determined to show that he’s a better person. The R&B singer tweeted pictures of himself presenting two checks that he personally donated to the American Red Cross and the Central Virginia Food Bank. Both organizations received 25-thousand dollars from the embattled pop star. The news comes just days after he was denied entry overseas to tour in Europe. Due to Brown’s recent criminal charges involving Rihanna, he was refused a work visa.
BEYONCE AND KELLY ATTEND JAY-Z SHOW
Despite what many might think, Beyonce and Kelly Rowland do not hate each other. The former members of Destiny’s Child were recently spotted sitting next to each other watching Bey’s hubby Jay-Z live in concert. The girls had a great time at the Birmingham NEC Arena in the U-K on Wednesday night. Head over to ThatGrapeJuice.net for the proof.
ALICIA KEYS ENJOYS FIVE WEEKS AT NUMBER ONE!
SingersRoom.com reports Alicia Keys’ hit single “Unthinkable (I’m Ready)” has claimed the number one on Billboard’s R&B/Hip Hop charts for the fifth consecutive week. The record managed to beat out Usher’s latest single “There Goes My Baby,” which is currently seated at number two this week. In related news, A Keys is currently gearing up to be a mommy for the first time with her fiancé, Swizz Beatz.
FANTASIA GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL
Fantasia recently walked across the biggest stage of her life in Charlotte, North Carolina. The former American Idol winner accepted an honorary degree after graduating from Andrews High School. The infamous drop-out also took pictures with her fans at the ceremony. Head over to DimeWars.com to watch the footage.
JOHN MAYER AND THE SITUATION TEAM UP
It seems that there was a situation backstage at the CMT Awards in Nashville Wednesday night. PerezHilton.com got their hands on a picture of John Mayer and The Situation from MTV’s Jersey Shore lifting up their shirts to show off their abs. Check out the pic on the gossip site now.
http://perezhilton.com/2010-06-10-uhm-john-mayer
DIXIE CHICKS COVER TRAIN
At a recent concert in Toronto, Canada, the Dixie Chicks decided to cover Train’s song “Hey, Soul Sister.” Hear the country group’s take on the hit single on YouTube now. <ZS>
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpOUUsS3NMo
NO MORE BEST FRIENDS FOR MADGE AND GWYNETH?
Are Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow no longer the best of friends? A source tells UsMagazine that the celebs “don’t speak.” On the other hand, a rep for Madge denies that the duo have had a falling out.
JORDIN SPARKS IS NO SEX SYMBOL
Sex may sell in the record business, but don’t go looking for it in Jordin Sparks’ direction. The former American Idol was in New York City on her Battlefield tour, and told the Daily News that she “never wanted to be a sex symbol,” and “just wanted to be a singer.” Sparks takes her tour to Hampton, New Hampshire tonight.
CLAY AIKEN WANTS TO REPLACE SIMON
Clay Aiken sat down with CNN to talk about his new album Tried & True, and some other goodies as well. The former American Idol runner-up said that he would make the best replacement for Simon Cowell as a judge on the show next season because he’ll always “tell you the truth.” He also said that his dream job is to work for CNN. See the whole interview at CNN.com.
THE SCRIPT THANK THEIR FANS
The Script have been number one on the Hot AC chart, as well as the Adult Pop Chart, for quite awhile now, and they’re very pleased about it. Drummer Glen Power wrote on the band’s Twitter page that it’s all been “amazing,” and then proceeded to thank the group’s fans for their support. Follow them at Twitter.com/TheScript.
AUNDREA FIMBRES SURFACES WITH NEW SONG
According to Concreteloop.com, former Danity Kane singer Aundrea Fimbres has released a new song called “Brush You Off.” No word on an album yet, but we will keep you posted.
http://concreteloop.com/2010/06/hot-or-not-aundrea-fimbres-brush-you-off
MORE PERFORMERS SIGN UP FOR BET AWARDS
In addition to Kanye West and T.I. hitting the stage for the 2010 BET Awards, viewers will also get to see Rick Ross, Ludacris and Drake! The newly added acts will join previously announced performers Trey Songz, Nicki Minaj, 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.
NE-YO PENS FOR RIHANNA’S NEW ALBUM
Rap-Up.com chopped it up with Ne-Yo to talk about his contributions for Rihanna’s next album. While the songwriter was sworn to secrecy about the project, he comments, “No disrespect to Ri, [her last album] was a little dark.” Ne-Yo adds, she’s “in a better place mentally…you probably can assume that the records will be a bit more feel-good this time around.” The “Closer” singer also recalled what it was like working with the pop star in the studio. Head over to Rap-Up.com to learn more.
DRAKE SPEAKS ON RELATIONSHIP WITH RIHANNA
According to the New York Times, Drake has finally opened up about his brief relationship with Rihanna. After ending her turbulent relationship with Chris Brown, Drizzy says he “was a pawn” for Ri Ri. The rapper explained, “She was doing exactly what I’ve done to so many women throughout my life, which is show them quality time, then disappear. I was like, wow, this feels terrible.” Before becoming an item, Drake was asked to write a song that was not included on her latest Rated R album.
JA RULE DUE IN COURT FOR GUN CHARGES
According to the Associated Press, Ja Rule’s 2007 gun case is expected to go to trial on August 19th. Authorities found a .40-caliber Taurus handgun in the rapper’s Mercedes-Benz Maybach during a routine traffic stop. Rule and two other men reportedly face three years in prison if convicted. We’ll keep you posted!
