Posted by: JustGrinding
Get a sneak peek from (via theYBF) the Beyonce and Lady Gaga shoot for the “Video Phone Remix” (original version canbe found on Beyonce’s ‘I Am..Sasha Fierce’ album). What do you think? Do these ladies have good chemisrty? CLICK HERE FOR MORE!
Posted by: The Connector
Taylor Swift is the host and musical guest this weekend on ‘Saturday Night Live,’ and promos for the show are already taking shots at Kanye West — who interrupted the country cutie’s MTV VMA win.
“Hey, I’m Taylor Swift and I’ll be the host and musical guest this week on ‘SNL,’” Swift explains.
“Whoop, Kanye West just called, he thinks Beyonce should host,” Bill Hader quips. “Funny joke, right? VMAs!”
Filed under: Music, Television, News
As previously reported by BV Newswire, the 2009 Soul Train Awards is scheduled to tape at Atlanta’s Georgia World Congress Center on Nov. 3. In addition to Academy Award nominated actors Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard hosting this year’s annual event, some of today’s most prominent music stars are scheduled to perform.
Network producers decided to assemble an all-star lineup including Toni Braxton, Trey Songz, Erykah Badu, Robin Thicke, Fantasia, Ryan Leslie, Chrisette Michelle, Raheem DeVaughn, Karyn White, Boyz II Men, Ledisi, Chico Debarge, Angie Stone, Brian McKnight, Ginuwine, Melanie Fiona, and Johnny Gill among others.
The two-hour ceremony will also honor the late, great Michael Jackson, who holds the record for most Soul Train awards won, with the special Entertainer of the Year Award.
As for this year’s nominations, pop superstar Beyonce alongside Keri Hilson, and Maxwell lead the pack with four nominations each.
In addition, this year’s show will honor the illustrious careers and musical influences of Chaka Khan, Charlie Wilson, L.A. Reid and Kenny “Baby Face” Edmonds.
Officially titled, ‘Centric Presents: 2009 Soul Train Awards Show,’ the event will premiere simultaneously on the new BET spin-off channel Centric and BET on Nov. 29 at 9 pm ET. Centric went live on air Sept. 28 via digital cable and satellite cable carriers.
Below is a complete list of nominees and categories.
BEST NEW ARTIST
o. Drake
o. Jazmine Sullivan
o. Keri Hilson
o. Ryan Leslie
o. Solange
BEST R&B/SOUL ARTIST FEMALE
o. Beyonce
o. Chrisette Michele
o. Jennifer Hudson
o. Ledisi
o. Whitney Houston
BEST MALE R&B/SOUL MALE
o. Charlie Wilson
o. Maxwell
o. Musiq Soulchild
o. Raphael Saadiq
o. Robin Thicke
SONG OF THE YEAR
o. “God in Me” – Mary Mary
o. “Pretty Wings” – Maxwell
o. “Single Ladies (Put a ring on it)” – Beyonce
o. “Spotlight” – Jennifer Hudson
o. “Turnin Me On” – Keri Hilson/ ft Lil Wayne
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
o. Beyonce – I am… Sasha Fierce (Platinum) Sony Music
o. Jamie Foxx – Intuition (Platinum) J Records
o. Kanye West – 808s & Heartbreak (Platinum) Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam
o. Maxwell – Blacksummer’s Night (Gold) Sony Music
o. Ne-Yo – Year of the Gentleman
RECORD OF THE YEAR (SONGWRITER AWARD)
o. Beyonce – “Single Ladies (Put a ring on it)”
o. Drake – “Best I ever had”
o. Jamie Foxx Ft/T-Pain – “Blame it”
o. Keri Hilson – “Knock You Down”
o. Maxwell – “Pretty Wings”
BEST REGGAE ARTIST AWARD
o. Movado
o. Sean Paul
o. Serani
o. Taurus Riley
o. Ziggy Marley
CENTRIC AWARD – SOUL APPROVED/UNDERGROUND
o. Corneille
o. Eric Roberson
o. Laura Izibor
o. Maysa
o. The Knux
BEST GOSPEL PERFORMANCE MALE, FEMALE OR GROUP
o. BeBe and CeCe Winans – “Close To You”
o. Fred Hammond f/John P Kee – “They That Wait”
o. Marvin Sapp – “Praise Him in Advance”
o. Mary Mary – “God In Me”
o. Smokie Norful – “Justified”
BEST COLLABORATION
o. Keri Hilson featuring Kanye West & Ne-Yo – “Knock you Down”
o. Keyshia Cole featuring Monica – “Trust”
o. Mario featuring Gucci Mane and Sean Garrett – “Break up”
o. Mary Mary featuring Kierra (KiKi) Sheard – “God In Me”
o. Trey Songz featuring Drake – “Successful”
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
o. Michael Jackson
10/7/09: Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey‘s new album ‘Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel’ debuted in #3 position on the Billboard Top 200 Album chart, selling only 167, 912 copies in its first week of release. Surprisingly, 67-year-old Barbra Streisand bagged the top spot — selling 180,415 copies of her latest covers collection, ‘Love is the Answer.’ Also keeping Carey away from being numero uno; rock band Paramore, which opened at #2 with their new album ‘Brand New Eyes,’ with sales of 175,112.
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10/5/09: Meshell Ndegeocello
This week, Meshell Ndegeocelloreleases her latest album, ‘Devil’s Halo,’ and officially kicks off a promotional tour at New York City hot-spot, Highline Balroom. The three week club tour will have the rock & soul wunderkind performing in major cities across the country — including Chicago, Los Angeles and Minneapolis — before her final show Oct. 28 in Bellingham, Washington. All tour dates will include Meshell’s full band, featuring guitarist Chris Bruce, bassist Mark Kelley, keyboardist Keefus Ciancia and drummer Deantoni Parks.
Mark Seliger for Downtown Music
10/2/09: Mary J, Stevie Wonder, Jennifer Hudson:
Mary J. Blige, Stevie Wonder, and Jennifer Hudson are among the artists featured on Rod Stewart‘s forthcoming project titled ‘Soulbook.’ The J Records release captures the Grammy Award-winning Rock and Roll Hall of Famer covering a collection of classic soul favorites, including the Stylistics timeless classic ‘You Make Me Feel Brand New.’ “This is the album I’ve waited my whole lifetime to record,” Stewart stated. ‘Soulbook’ hits stores and digital retailers Oct. 27.
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10/2/09: 50 Cent/T.I.:
To capitalize off of its recent batch of ‘Behind the Music’ segments, VH1 has finally decided to take an introspective look at the careers of 50 Cent and T.I. The two multi-platinum rappers will be showcased in the network’s long running series in the coming weeks, which will cover their rise to fame. From T.I. describing the pros and cons of being a hip-hop superstar to Fifty detailing his success as an international mogul. ‘Behind the Music: T.I.’ premieres Oct. 8 at 10 pm/et, while ‘Behind the Music: 50 Cent’ airs Oct. 13 at 8 pm/et.
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10/2/09: Bootsy Collins, Teena Marie:
Beginning Nov. 1, TV One returns with all new episodes of their critically-acclaimed original biography series, ‘Unsung.’ The Gary Anthony Williams-narrated show, which examines and celebrates talented artists who are under-appreciated, will showcase Teena Marie, Bootsy Collins, Roger Troutman & Zapp, and Klymaxx in its third installment. ‘Unsung: Teena Marie’ premieres Nov. 1 at 8 pm/et followed by an encore at 11 pm/et.
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10/2/09: Akon:
International superstar Akon is showing support for breast cancer awareness month this weekend with his headlining performance at the Think Pink Rocks concert on Oct. 3. Hosted by BET’s Terrence and Rocsi, the star-studded charity benefit will also include performances by Canadian R&B songstress Melanie Fiona, Shontelle, and pop reggae trio American Yard. According to an event spokesperson, all proceeds will go to breast cancer charities and research.
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10/2/09: Pretty Ricky:
Following a controversial viral video clip from one of its most known members earlier this year, R&B group Pretty Ricky will finally release their third album, aptly titled ‘Pretty Ricky.’ The chart-topping group, which features Spectacular, Diamond Blue, Slick’Em, and their newest buddy/addition Lingerie, feels their Nov. 17 release is too good to explain. “The songs are too sensual to describe in words,” says Diamond. “You have to hear it to fully grasp the erotic experience of the records.” The group’s new lead single, ‘Tipsy In This Club,’ received a mixed response over the summer when Spectacular debuted the track via his eye-brow raising YouTube clip.
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9/28/09: Tupac Shakur/Martin Luther King Jr.
Late rap legend Tupac Shakur may be deceased, but he’s still in great company. His mother Afeni Shakur has donated a collection of his writing to the Robert W. Woodruff Library at Atlanta University Center. The library also houses The Martin Luther King Jr. Collection. More than 150 of his personal items, ranging from rough drafts of lyrics and poems to a photocopy of his contract with Suge Knight and Death Row Records were given. The records are expected to be available for research in the fall of 2010.
Getty Images, Corbis
9/28/09: Ruben Studdard
Former ‘American Idol’ winner Ruben Studdard is heating up the airwaves with his latest single, ‘Don’t Make ‘Em Like U No More.’ The single, which is described as a “sleek and soulful R&B ode to everyone’s special someone,” is featured on the Grammy Award-nominated crooner’s current album, ‘Love Is.’ In addition, Studdard will join Philip Bailey (of Earth, Wind & Fire) and Deborah Cox, among others, on Oct. 21 for the “David Foster and Friends Tour.” The trek kicks off in Chicago and concludes on Nov. 8 in Vancouver.
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9/28/09: Angie Stone
R&B diva Angie Stone is ready to hit fans with some surprising stuff! On Nov. 24, the brown-skin soul sister will release her second project, titled ‘Unexpected,’ on legendary label Stax Records. According to Stone, the album’s title is a reflection of the direction that she took in recording the opus. “This album is something that no one would have anticipated coming from me,” she said. “My father always encouraged me and everyone else he knew to reach out and make a leap of faith, and that’s exactly what I’ve done.” ‘Unexpected’ features the lead single ‘I Ain’t Hearin’ U’ and the poignant ballad ‘Think Sometimes.’
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Despite an abrupt cancellation of her 2007 concert in Malaysia, due to protesters threatening to disrupt it because of her sexual image, Beyonce Knowles will finally take the stage on Oct. 25 in the country’s biggest city, Kuala Lumpur.
However, according to the Associated Press, the Grammy Award-winning superstar still isn’t receiving the ‘Diva’ treatment that she’s accustomed to: earlier this week, beyonce Sabki Yusof, head of the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party,stated that his organization would send a protest note to the government over the singer’s show.
The country enforces and requires all female performers to cover up from the shoulders to knees with no cleavage showing.
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“We are not against entertainment as long as it is within the framework of our culture and our religion,” Yusof said. “We are against Western sexy performances. We don’t think our people need that.”
Sounds like Bey may be too ‘Bootylicious’ for Malaysia’s own good!
“Not many people outside of a President or a government official get welcomed to a country with a mass protest,” black celebrity blogger Natasha Eubanks (and owner of the popular website Young, Black & Fabulous) told Black Voices. “For that reason alone, Beyonce and her Sasha Fierce glove need to make their way to Malaysia and give the best show she’s ever done. Just because she can. Chick’s not about to pop out Shawn Jr.’s anytime soon, so I need something other than her bedazzled lace-front [wig] to gossip about.”
Although Yusof and his organization attempts to protest Knowles, her website has confirmed her performance in the Muslim-majority country: “Beyoncé for the first time ever has decided to make Malaysia part of her ‘I Am’ World Tour.”
Luckily for the ‘Dreamgirls’ actress, she’s not the only artist to experience backlash from Islamic activists and their strict dress code. Most recently Muslims in Malaysia were banned from attending the Black Eyed Peas‘ concert, which is scheduled for this weekend, because it was sponsored by Irish beer giant Guinness. The ban has since been lifted and the company will not be allowed to sell its beer or use its logo in publicity material.
3/3/09: Diddy
When it comes to making an event out of an album, Diddy sure knows how to put on a show. And for his forthcoming project, ‘Last Train to Paris,’ the multitalented mogul is following in the vein of Prince‘s classic flick and album ‘Purple Rain.’ “It’s definitely going to be an album you can seamlessly see,” he recently told MTV News. “Not after the fact. When you get the album on that day, September 22, you will be able to see the whole album on your computer. … You know how when you’re on your computer and you’re listening to an album, you have your screen saver on instead of screen save, you’ll be able to see the album in motion. And the presentation of the album will be different from the videos.” Hopefully, Diddy will make it in time on Sept. 22 to catch the ‘Last Train to Paris’ once the album hits stores.
Kevin Mazur, WireImage
3/3/09: Janet Jackson
Recently there has been speculation that Janet Jackson was likely to sign a new multirights deal with Live Nation. However, contrary to reports, Live Nation senior VP of communications John Vlautin denied the claim. “We have not signed a deal with Janet, nor are we currently in discussions with the artist,” Vlautin said. Jackson departed from her former label, Island Def Jam, in September, 14 months after signing to the record company.
The Canadian Press / AP
3/3/09: Black Eyed Peas
Despite previous reports that Grammy Award-winning pop group Black Eyed Peas would release a new album, ‘The E.N.D.’ (The Energy Never Dies), in March, it now appears Will.i.am and company will release the project on June 9. Billboard reports that the album’s first single, ‘Boom Boom Pow,’ will soon be released, and that the group is planning an international tour. Will.i.am, the Black Eyed Peas front man, described the album as having “a lot of dance stuff, real melodic, electronic, soulful. We call it, like, electric static funk, something like that.”
Peter Kramer, AP
2/27/09: MC Hammer
MC Hammer is back! This time the multiplatinum-selling rapper is heading to network television for his new unscripted A&E reality series ‘Hammertime.’ Hammer’s new half-hour series will feature Hammer, his wife and five children – reminiscent of the Huxtable family from ‘The Cosby Show,’ says executive producer J.D. Roth. “Here’s a dad with five kids, married to the same woman for more than 23 years, living in the same place where he grew up and going to church every Sunday,” Roth says. “He’s had his ups and downs, and it’s what makes him such a character you root for.” MC Hammer’s ‘Hammertime’ is set to premiere on A&E later this year.
2/27/09: Jazmine Sullivan
Although she didn’t walk away with an award at this year’s Grammys, singer-songwriter Jazmine Sullivan is bound for Hollywood for her upcoming film ‘Red Tails.’ According to Billboard, Sullivan will travel to Prague to start shooting the film, which is based on the story of the Tuskegee Airmen. “I play a singer who entertains soldiers,” she said. “I’m really just entertainment for them, but I kind of get a little relationship going with one of them. So that’s very exciting.” As for now, Sullivan has an exciting relationship going on with R&B crooner Ne-Yo — on tour that is. The two are currently touring through March 1. At press time, there was no release date for ‘Red Tails.’
Charles Sykes, AP
2/27/09: Tupac
With the Notorious B.I.G.‘s biopic in the can, fans are now anticipating a biographical movie on his rival Tupac. Unfortunately, fans may have to wait a little longer before a Tupac flick hits the silver screen. A legal dispute has surfaced involving the production company Morgan Creek and Amaru Entertainment, the company run by Tupac’s mother, Afeni Shakur. The lawsuit, which was filed by Morgan Creek, states that Amaru Entertainment reneged on an agreement to sell the rapper’s life rights for a movie. Amaru Entertainment released a statement clarifying the recent media reports: “This lawsuit has no merit. We felt it was important to bring the story of Tupac Shakur, one of music’s most remarkable icons, to life onscreen, and in realizing this vision, we sought to find the best partner who would be true to Tupac’s vision and bring his unique story to life on the big screen. In doing so, we have taken every step to ensure that our partner in this process is committed to the integrity of Tupac Shakur’s legacy and, more importantly, that they are the right people. To that end, we have been in discussions and negotiations with several major studios and production companies, including Morgan Creek Productions. However, at no time did we have an agreement with Morgan Creek.”
Time Life Pictures / Getty Images
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