Donald Trump Takes Credit For Discovering Lady Gaga

 

As if wealth and success weren't enough for The Donald, he's also claiming he has a helpiing hand in the music industry.

Lady Gaga has become one of the world’s biggest pop powerhouses, earning recognition, awards, and lots of money in the little time that she’s been on the music scene. Now, well-respected business man Donald Trump is taking credit for Gaga’s rise to fame.

In his latest book, Time To Get Tough: Making America #1Again, he discussed his role in owning the Miss Universe pageant, and his encounter with an aspiring artist by the name of Lady Gaga. He gave her the opportunity to be the headlining act at the 2008 Miss Universe Pageant.

He says, “I own the Miss Universe Pageant. And about four years ago, during what you call half-time, we always have an entertainer. We've had a lot of great people, and you don't pay them anything because it's one of the biggest audiences and my people told me, 'Nobody knows who she is but there's this woman with good talent named Lady Gaga.'"

Mr. Trump continues, “I said, 'I don't care ... if you like her, put her on.' "So we put her on ... it was live all over the United States and all over the world and the next day, nobody was talking about [the winner of] Miss Universe, everybody was talking, 'Who was the woman, who was the entertainer? She was unbelievable.'"

He insists that she acknowledges his role in her success and is grateful to him, "She's been very gracious about it ... I don't want to say we made Lady Gaga, but she was incredible and that was her break."
Well, Donald is all about success and appearances so it’s not all that surprising that he’d be taking credit for her success. It’s nice that he gave her a chance to shine. Maybe that’s just what she needed to get her career in motion.

Courtney Love Facing Eviction After Townhouse Fire

 

Rocker Courtney Love is facing eviction after reportedly setting her rented townhouse on fire and making some cosmetic changes to the interior.

Courtney Love is in trouble once again after being accused of setting a fire to her New York City townhouse.  The former girlfriend of Kurt Cobain, who pays $27,000 a month in rent, is now facing eviction.  According to reports from CBS news, Love’s landlord is trying to get the rocker out after she caught curtains in a bedroom on fire, along with other parts of the home this past June, and made some changes to the property that was not allowed.


"This can't be my property," Love’s landlord Donna Lyon stated.  "I came to New York to see it and I was horrified by what she had done. The walls that had been hand-painted and glazed were ruined, covered in damask wallpaper and ice-blue paint."

Courtney Love has only been renting the house for ten months, and per Lyon the cost to fix all of the damage is estimated around $100,000.  "I got a call from her accountant, who said, 'Miss Love is fine,' which I was glad to hear.  But I thought, 'What about the house?'"  The two will apparently be headed to court over the matter on Dec. 21^st.

In the meantime, Courtney Love, who is also said to be behind in her rent by $50,000, insists that she did not damage the property, and doesn’t owe Lyon rent.  The former member of Hole told the NY Post a different version of events.

“I haven’t fallen behind on the rent — I have been paying month to month as agreed. My rent is current, but the owner is now asking for the remaining two months’ upfront. Even though it’s not required, I’d happily pay that and another six months’ rent upfront if she would extend the lease for six months. I have repainted, but I asked permission, and used a painter approved by the owner.”

Madonna Signs to Interscope; Release Date for Album Announced

Madonna’s upcoming album, her first out of three for Interscope Records, will hit stores in March 2012.
 

From now through the end of 2012, Madonna has an intensive schedule of releasing, promoting, and touring. Announced today, Madge’s upcoming album will hit stores in March 2012 on Interscope Records, while her film W.E. will have an early February wide release – just days before her halftime performance at Super Bowl XLVI. Fans should expect the album’s first single “Give Me All Your Love” at some point in January.

Madonna’s upcoming album will be her first on Interscope out of three through a licensing deal, which is supposedly worth $40 million, with Live Nation Entertainment. About working with Madonna Live Nation Entertainment Chairman Irvin Azoff told Billboard:
"Live Nation, prior to the merger, entered into some of these all-rights deals, so there are certain artists, Madonna being one of them, that there is a recorded music strategy. Once she gets the album recorded, we'll sit down with her and her manager Guy Oseary and figure out what's best for the record. It has to start with the music."

Signed to Warner Bros. for 25 years, Madonna left her former label after Hard Candy, supposedly as the result of a disagreement with Edgar Bronfman. Her new contract with Live Nation and Interscope encompasses not only an album but also touring and merchandise.

PerezHilton.com reported earlier in December that Madonna will, indeed, tour for her upcoming album. Her tour supposedly begins at the end of May in Tel Aviv, goes through Europe, and will do a series of dates in North America in August and September.

W.E., Madonna’s second film behind the camera, will preview in December. However, while she reportedly was not contributing to the soundtrack earlier, PerezHilton.com mentioned that leaked track “Masterpiece” may appear in both the film and on her album. Listen to a rough version of “Masterpiece” here.

Lady Gaga Not Playing Amy Winehouse in Biopic

 

Lady Gaga will not be starring in a biopic of Amy Winehouse, contrary to news reported over the weekend.

Over the weekend, Amy Winehouse’s father implied that Lady Gaga would play his daughter in a biopic. He, however, later retracted that statement, on Twitter and through a spokesperson to Entertainment Weekly.

Originally, he was reported as saying to the press: "I have heard that Lady GaGa is keen to play Amy in a film. I don't know what her English accent is like but it's not just an English accent she would have to perfect - it's an English-Cockney-Jewish accent so she better start practising now. But she would be great."

He then tweeted: "I never said Lady GaGa will play Amy in film. Also Amy's room not a shrine. Wot a load of rubbish. Mitch (sic)."

A spokesperson for the family then clarified: “Mitch and the family would entertain ideas perhaps for a film but only one they were sure would tell the truth.”

At one point, Winehouse’s former boyfriend Reg Traviss was asked to direct a biopic, but he turned it down, telling MTV: "I guess a biopic is inevitable. I have been asked but I honestly don't think I could do it. I'd be too close to it. […] But whoever does write and direct the film may exaggerate certain points to make it more 'Hollywood'. The family would want to be involved to make sure that it's done justice. But right now it's all too raw."

This week, the late Winehouse’s posthumous album Lioness: Hidden Treasures hit No. 1 in the U.K. About the news, her mother, Janis, told the press: "It’s such amazing news that Amy’s album has gone to number one, and just goes to show what she still means to people."

Do you think an Amy Winehouse biopic should be done? Or, is it too soon to even think about it?

The Ting Tings Announce Sophomore Album ‘Sounds From Nowheresville’

 

Following up their successful debut, The Ting Tings are releasing their sophomore album, ‘Sounds From Nowheresville,’ on March 2012.

Following up their 2 million-selling debut We Started Nothing is an auspicious task for The Ting Tings. With a U.S. release date set for March 2012, the Manchester, U.K. duo’s sophomore album will have a different, rock-to-dance pop-spanning sound. About their upcoming album singer Katie White told SPIN: "We didn't want to sound like everything else on the radio. The problem when you have a hit record is that everyone expects the same thing over and over again."

Titled Sounds from Nowheresville, the group’s sophomore album was recorded in Paris, Berlin, and Mercia, Spain, but a fair portion of the material was written on the road. Jules de Martino explained: "We didn't want to repeat everything we'd been through in Manchester, working in that environment. So we wanted to find a new challenge, and living in Berlin was a massive challenge: the language barrier, the food, the isolation."

He went on to describe their songwriting and recording process: "We spent so long on the road — recording music and touring — that the whole musical element of the album came from everywhere and nowhere. When we're apart, Katie will have an idea, record it, and then audio-text it to me. The chorus of 'Guggenheim' was written after Katie had a few drinks and was in the back of a cab."
Aside from the music, The Ting Tings went back to their art scene beginnings with an artwork contest, Show Us Yours. Up-and-coming artists were encouraged to submit photographs, graphics, and videos, and the group incorporated them into the visual aspects of the album. Milan Abad’s piece was picked for the cover art, while additional graphics and photographs were added to the interior.

The full tracklist for Sounds From Nowheresville is:

1. "Silence"
2. "Hit Me Down Sonny"
3. "Hang It Up"
4. "Give It Back"
5. "Guggenheim"
6. "Soul Killing"
7. "One By One"
8. "Day to Day"
9. "Help"
10. "In Your Life"

Paul Van Dyk Releasing First Album Since 2007

 

Dutch trance DJ Paul Van Dyk is releasing his first album since 2007. The new release, however, will include both tracks and videos.

Pop and the presence of electronic dance music have both changed since 2007, when Paul Van Dyk last released an album. In an interview with Billboard, the Dutch trance DJ announced and provided details about his upcoming album, which is scheduled to hit stores on March 20, 2012.

Titled Evolution, Van Dyk’s upcoming album will include both 16 tracks of new music and a series of videos. Guest stars, such as Owl City’s Adam Young and Dev, appear in both. Telling the magazine about the concept, Van Dyk said: "I was sitting at my iPad thinking like your regular music consumer and I'm staring at the same still shot of the front cover of the album I'm listening to, and I realized that we have the technology at hand, so why not bring something more on the video side, and not just the audio side?"

Director Anthony Burns described the concept in greater detail: "Paul's camp approached me with the idea of doing one video per song, and asked me 'what would you do?' I suggested that we create a world that is linked for the entire album -- one that proposes a possible future for planet Earth where technology and nature collide in interesting and weird ways."

Evolution seemed like an appropriate title, as the DJ considers his sound ever-evolving. He explained: "I need to evolve with the changes in music as it is my profession as a DJ. However, it is up to me as an artist to decide if I think the music is something that is creatively interesting. ‘Evolution’ is an album that demonstrates my personal evolution as an artist, rather than what is a reflection of the latest trendy sound. My advisors are saying it's the best music I've done."

Katy Perry Named MTV's Artist of the Year

 

Take a look at MTV's pick of the top ten artists of 2011. Swiinging in at #1 is "Last Friday Night" singer Katy Perry.

Pop sensation Katy Perry is in the height of her career, and her latest album Teenage Dream has given her a vast amount of success. With the year that she’s had, it’s not so surprising that MTV recognized her for her contribution to music by naming her MTV’s Artist of the Year.

She accepted her award through a video message saying, "Hi everyone at MTV! I just want to say thank you for this amazing award. To be Artist of the Year, a whole 365 days, that's pretty cool."

She adds. "I wasn't really allowed to watch MTV growing up, so this feels really validating. And I've had a fantastic year, a great tour and a great run, and you guys have been so a part of it and such a big reason why. So thank you so much. I really appreciate it."

The top 3 spots go to females this year with hip hopper Nicki Minaj coming in 2^nd place, and Adele landing at #3. The Throne ( Jay-Z and Kanye West) take the #4 spot, while eccentric artist Lady Gaga snags #5. Rihanna takes the spot at #6, while expectant mother-to-be Beyonce, lands at #7. Rappers Lil Wayne and Drake own the spots of #8 and #9 respectively, and teen pop star Justin Bieber caps off the list at #10.
Nicki Minaj commented on her spot at #2, "Thanks MTV!!!!" Minaj. U guys always know a good thing! Ha!!!! The barbz and I are thrilled. :)".

Meanwhile UK singer Adele was acknowledged as having the Song of the Year for “Rolling in the Deep”, which was mega hot this year. Due to recovering from vocal surgery, Adele is not able to speak, however she wrote a written statement to MTV saying, “Wow thank you very much MTV for your support. Happy holidays and see you next year.”

Mystikal Signs to Cash Money Record Label

After serving a prison sentence, it has been announced that rapper Mystikal has signed to Cash Money Records and will be releasing a new album in 2012.

The YMCMB family is growing. It has been announced that formerly imprisoned rapper, Mystikal, has signed to the Cash Money record label.

Cash Money CEO Birdman was pleased with the addition of Mystikal and heaped adulation upon the Tazmanian-tongued rapper in a statement.

“It is an honor to get the opportunity to work with Mystikal, as we have a long history together,” Birdman said in a statement to Rap-Up TV. “He is a great artist and his talent, combined with our hard work and strong team, is going to result in some of the best music of his career. We are expecting great work from Mystikal. Slim and I already have him in the studio working on his first album for Cash Money.”

In joining the record label, Mystikal will be sharing space with such stars as Drake, Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne. Hopefully being music star adjacent will boost the formerly troubled rapper’s career, as well.
“It has been a truly long time since I have felt like a rapper and with this signing, and partnmership, Birdman and Slim have given me my life as a rapper back,” said Mystikal to Rap-Up TV. “I am ready to go. I am going to put my red Superman drawers, cape and boots on and go! This is a huge moment for me and I am truly excited to be with Cash Money Records.”

Mystikal’s last hit was 2000’s smash booty banger, “Shake Ya Ass.” He released his newest single, “Original,” on Tuesday, December 13. His first Cash Money-backed album is due in the spring.

Barry Manilow Recovering From Hip Surgery

Entertaining since the late seventies and a well known figure in the music industry, artist Barry Manilow is recovering from hip surgery.

 
Long time performer, song writer and producer, Barry Manilow, who is best known for songs such as 'Mandy' and 'Could it be Magic', recently underwent surgery for his hips this past December 12^th.  The sixty-eight year old entertainer just performed his 1,000th show in Las Vegas, but due to his recent health issues he must forgo a celebration in order to heal up.

Per CBS News, Manilow’s surgery was to repair “torn abductor muscles,” and to have “bursas removed from both hips.”  His recovery time is estimated to take at least six weeks.

Sharing the news of his surgery on his official website, Manilow seemed calm about the process. "I seem to have ripped the abductor muscles on both hips and messed up my bursas.  After the surgery, the Doctors told me it will take three weeks before I can walk and then another three weeks to recover."

After the surgery took place, the singer, who just officially ended his seven year run at both the Las Vegas Hilton and Paris Resort, updated fans with some good humor.  "That's what you get when you jump around to 'Copacabana' for 30 years! Wish me luck!"

Once Barry Manilow recuperates from hip surgery he plans to perform at The Chicago Theater in three concerts that will take place from February 2^nd through the 4^th.  Manilow is also slated to perform four additional shows at Radio City Music Hall during February 10^th through February 14^th.

The Black Keys Release Their Latest Album 'El Camino'

The Grammy Award Winning Duo Produce A More Rock-And -Roll Type Album That Has Debuted At No. 2 In The Charts.

The Black Keys have recently released their latest album El Camino. Originally placing it on Spotify, the duo have since withdrawn the album from the streaming service to release the CD in the usual way. Despite the change of plan, in the first week in the charts El Camino has performed well, debuting at number two, selling over 200,000 copies.

The name, El Camino, is from a Chevrolet El Camino. The guys saw an ad for one and thought that it would be "cool name" for an album. This is the seventh studio album by the blues-rock duo, who came to everyone's attention this year winning Grammy Awards for the album Brothers and for the single Tighten Up - winning three awards in total.

El Camino is more up-tempo than their last album, being more rock and roll influenced.

The first song, pre-released about a month before the album was the lead single Lonely Boy - with the famed music video of a middle-aged man dancing. The song expresses feelings of absolute no regret to an ex-girlfriend when they sing, "Well I’m so above you, and it’s plain to see but, I came to love you anyway.  So you tore my heart out and I don’t mind bleeding any old time you keep me waiting."

The second track, Dead and Gone is not unlike "Tighten Up" with its lyrics, guitar riffs and sounds. The remaining songs have that R'n'R feel with a taste of blues about them.

Critics have been positive in their reviews of the whole album, commenting that it El Camino a good progression forward.

The Black Keys - "Lonely Boy"

Katy Perry's Pippa Middleton Spoof Still Going Strong

After hosting Saturday Night Live this past weekend, singer Katy Perry’s Pippa Middleton spoof is still going strong.

 Singer Katy Perry hosted Saturday Night Live this past weekend, and as usual the twenty-six year old was as entertaining as ever, with the highlight of the night being her Pippa Middleton skit, as confirmed by Just Jared.

Performing a skit with the help of SNL's Abby Elliot playing Kate Middleton and actor Fred Armisen in the role of Queen Elizabeth,  Perry entered the royal scene as the notorious British socialite Pippa Middleton.  The short revolved around the Queen, upset and on a tirade over Kate, now married and still not pregnant.

That's when Katy Perry makes her way in as a rough and tough Pippa, swooping in to defend her sister from the famous family.  With the lines, “geezers line up to look at my arse,” Perry showed off her assets, a signature feature that Pippa is known for.

Playing the younger Middleton wasn't the only spoof of the night for Perry. She also had a little fun playing ‘Dirty’ singer Christina Aguilera and Florence of Florence and the Machine, singing a dog song. Perry, who also spoofed herself, says that her husband Russell Brand, a British comedian and actor, who has hosted Saturday Night Live before, gave her some advice about headlining the weekend series.

“Of course [my husband has given me advice],” Perry said.  "Every day I'm checking in with him and he's giving me the next move on what I should do, and what's going to go on, or how I should act.”
Watch the Katy Perry Pippa Middleton spoof video below that is still going strong.

Music News - Will.i.am Releases The Music Video For T.H.E. (The Hardest Ever)

 

This Video Shows Will.i.am Going Harder And Harder, Going Faster And Faster, From Bikes To Cars To Spaceships.

Black Eyed Peas frontman, will.i.am, shines in this SENSATIONAL music video for T.H.E.  (The Hardest Ever). The song is not unlike some of the BEP tracks heard over the last few years, but the video is simply stunning as will.i.am just goes faster and faster ... and faster!

The clip begins with will.i.am dressed in a futuristic looking white jumpsuit. (White is the colour of all the vehicles and props throughout.) He briefly warms up, exercising his muscles, finishes sending a message on his htc phone as the music begins. Will.i.am starts running along an airstrip toward a white barrier - and the closer he gets, the faster he runs. Crashing through the wall causes an instant change from running to riding a (white)mountain bike. Riding faster and faster, he suddenly confronts a white cube that drops from the sky which he dodges with a spectacular jump with the bike over the obstacle. But wait! There's more!

On landing, will.i.am is going much faster now on a white BMW superbike. Screaming down the strip, he encounters another wall which he avoids this time by leaping off the bike and "airwalking" over the barrier. Now he is driving a white sports car, dodging obstacles as they suddenly fall or appear in his path. Jennifer Lopez joins in the song while she struts her stuff on the walls that suddenly appear. Going faster and tougher, the vehicles transform to a truck, fast-train, aircraft, ... even a spaceship to go faster still. JLo now moves over for Mick Jagger who drops in now to push will.i.am to the limit. The Rolling Stone icon still has what it takes as he features for this final section to push will.i.am to the extreme.

This futuristic music video is so worth watching!

will.i.am - T.H.E. (The Hardest Ever)

Music News - The Shins Announce New Album

The indie band's follow-up to 2007's Wincing the Night Away will drop in March next year. 



It's been four years since 2007's Grammy-nominated Wincing the Night Away, but Zach Braff's favorite indie band, The Shins, will release their next album, Port of Morrow, in March next year via Columbia and frontman James Mercer's own Aural Apothecary imprint.

The announcement came via The Shins' website:
"Port of Morrow was recorded in Los Angeles over the course of 2011 with James Mercer as usual handling all songwriting duties, lead vocals, and the majority of instrumentation. The album was produced by Greg Kurstin and mixed by Rich Costey.
"An exact release date as well as touring plans will be announced shortly. As with the dates earlier this year, the upcoming tour will see Mercer leading a Shins lineup of Yuuki Matthews (bass), Jessica Dobson (guitar), Richard Swift (keyboards), and Joe Plummer (drums)."

Now the question is -- when will Zach Braff be releasing his next film?
See the album's tracklist below.
Port of Morrow
01 The Rifle's Spiral
02 Simple Song
03 It's Only Life
04 No Way Down
05 September
06 Bait and Switch
07 Fall of '82
08 For a Fool
09 40 Mark Strasse
10 Port of Morrow

Music News - Drake Announces Club Paradise Tour

 

The rapper will be supported by A$AP Rocky and Kendrick Lamar on 35-date trek through North America and Europe.

Drake has announced his tour in support of last month's Take Care.

On the 35-date Club Paradise Tour, Drizzy will hit Miami on February 14th and travel through North America and Europe until the end of April, with the tour's final show at Nottingham's Capital FM Arena.
A$AP Rocky and Kendrick Lamar will support him on the North American leg.

Drake told MTV, "I fought really hard for this tour, because, of course, they want me to go get the big bucks, go into the stadiums and cash out. But I was just like, I really made this album for the same people that supported me since day one."
Check out the tour dates below (including a few one-offs this year):
12-16 Los Angeles, CA - Gibson Amphitheatre (Power 106 Cali Christmas)
12-18 San Jose, CA - HP Pavilion (Wild Jam)
01-01 Las Vegas, NV - Joint at Hard Rock Hotel
02-14 Miami, FL _ Bank United Center
02-15 Gainesville, FL - Stephen C. O'Connell Center
02-17 Nashville, TN - Bridgestone Arena
02-18 Columbus, OH - Schottenstein Center
02-21 Columbia, SC - Colonial Life Arena
02-22 Lexington, KY - Rupp Arena
02-24 Tallahassee, FL - Tallahassee-Leon County Civic Center
02-25 New Orleans, LA - UNO Lakefront Arena
02-27 Austin, TX - Frank Erwin Center
02-28 Oklahoma City, OK - Chesapeake Energy Arena
03-01 Kansas City, MO - Sprint Center
03-02 Arlington, TX - College Park Center
03-04 Tucson, AZ - Tucson Arena
03-05 Los Angeles, CA - Save Mart Center
03-10 San Jose, CA - Event Center
03-11 San Diego, CA - Viejas Arena
03-24 Dublin, IE - O2 Dublin
03-26 London, UK - The O2
03-29 Sheffield, UK - Motorpoint Arena Sheffield
03-30 Cardiff, UK - Motorpoint Arena Cardiff
04-01 Manchester, UK - M.E.N. Arena
04-02 Glasgow, UK - Glasgow SECC Hall 4
04-05 Paris, FR - Palais Omnisport de Bercy
04-07 Brussels, BE - Vorst Nationaal
04-08 Amsterdam, NL - Heineken Music Hall
04-10 Frankfurt, DE - Jahrhunderthalle
04-12 Berlin, DE - Max Schleming Halle
04-13 Copenhagen, DK - Valby Hallen
04-15 Stockholm, SE - Ericsson Globe
04-16 Oslo, NO - Oslo Spektrum
04-19 Birmingham, UK - LG Arena Birmingham
04-22 Liverpool, UK - Liverpool Echo Arena
04-23 Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK - Metro Radio Arena
04-25 Nottingham, UK - Capital FM Arena Nottingham

Music News - 'Lioness: Hidden Treasures' Is Released In Honour Of Amy Winehouse (World News)

 

The Lioness Album Showcases Amy Winehouse's Singing Career Over The Past Nine Years Sampling A Wide Range Of Music

Lioness: Hidden Treasures is the album just released showcasing some recordings over the last nine years of Amy Winehouse. The executive producer (and long-time partner), Salaam Remi, believes that the album is a collection of songs, put together to sort of form an album. It attempts to paint a picture of the world-renowned singer in a very dignified setting.

Opening track, "Our Day Will Come", is an elegant introduction to an album that is going to induce lots of heartfelt emotion. Who will not shed a tear realising the double meaning in the song title?

Other brilliant tracks (er... aren't they are all brilliant?) include "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow", "The Girl From Ipanema", and that classic duet with Tony Bennett, Body and Soul. Six of the tracks on the CD are original recordings written by Amy herself, while the other songs are covers of timeless classics.

Unlike some albums seen on the shelf, Lioness contains only essential tracks. How often does a CD contain one or two great songs, and the rest are pretty average? Lioness: Hidden Treasures is just that ... hidden treasures! The album is a "best of the best", highlighting the many facets of this one-in-a-million entertainer.

The compilation, made by friends with music producers Ronson and Salaam Remi, consists of twelve archived recordings of songs that she loved.

In its first week of release, Lioness has (not surprisingly) already pipped the pole position on the UK charts.
In the following short interview with Mitch Winehouse (Amy's father), he discusses his thoughts on the planning behind the album.

Some of the proceeds from sales of the album will go to the Amy Winehouse Foundation  to "provide help, support or care for young people, especially those who are in need by reason of ill health, disability, nancial disadvantage or addiction."

The album Lioness: Hidden Treasures is out now.

Amy Winehouse -  "Our Day Will Come"

Music News - Jay-Z To Rap At Carnegie Hall To Raise Money For Education (World News)

 

The US Rapper Will Be The First Hip-Hop Act Ever To Play At Carnegie Hall Highlighting The Value Of Education

US rapper, Jay-Z, one of the world's most financially successful hip-hop artists and winner of thirteen Grammy Awards, is set to perform two charity concerts at Carnegie Hall in an effort to highlight the importance of education. In his words, he said that education is "super important" and wants everyone to value it. The concerts at New York's Carnegie Hall will raise funds for the Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation and for the United Way of New York City.

Although having a net worth of somewhere around $450 million, and having sold more than 50 million albums, Jay-Z did not complete high school nor college. However, he has been quick to point out that for him to express himself he did need some education, saying, "I had to have some form of schooling to articulate my thoughts." It is thus his dearest wish to, "benefit the education of the next generation."

These two concerts will be the first time ever that a hip-hop artist plays at the esteemed venue.
The founder of Roc Nation (US management, music publishing and entertainment company) stated, "As an artist of hip hop, anytime I get a chance to expand and broaden the reach of hip hop, it's a great thing for me."
The setlist for the night has yet to be determined, but Jay-Z stated that, "We have to do a rendition of 'N***as in Paris' in Carnegie Hall; it just has to go down."  He since added that possibly Kanye West might guest star on the night - after all they have released numerous recordings together.

One of their latest sensational hits (which might be on the setlist) is the recently released track No Church in the Wild (Kanye West & Jay-Z ft. Frank Ocean).

Tickets for this charity fundraiser event will likely range between $500 to $2500.

Jay Z  and Kanye West - No Church In The Wild (Unofficial Music Video)

Music News - Foo Fighters Conclude Their Whirlwind Tour Of Australia (World News)

 

The Legendary Rockers Please The Crowd With Great Songs, Great Sound, And Great Entertainment On Their Final 'Downunder' Concert.

The Foo Fighters concluded their whirlwind tour of Australia with a "blisteringly brilliant" final concert in front of a packed out stadium at the Gold Coast last Saturday night.

Legendary "2011 Godlike Genius Award" winner, Dave Grohl promised an epic gig, and the Foo's delivered!

Fans lined up early to get their front row seats, and none were disappointed. The band has just blasted their way around the Land Downunder over the last twelve days, performing in five capital cities. But not to worry, their final Aussie show showed no signs of any lack of inertia. The sellout crowd of 25,000 at Metricon Stadium was blasted through a huge setlist of eighteen smash hits ending with an encore of a further five.

The night started early, just  after 7pm (the Gold Coast has a 10pm curfew for such events),opening with "Learn To Fly", followed by "All My Life". During the first short break, Dave Grohl egged-on the crowd assuring the crowd that they were in for a "long, loud night." For the next two and half hours, fans heard hit after hit after hit. But more than that, interviews with "Foo Disciples" after the show could not sing their praises high enough. Not only did everyone love the songs and music, fans just loved Dave Grohl's "chats with the crowd" and all the on-stage antics of the band. Comments from concert-goers after the show were full of superlatives - songs great, sound great, music spot on, stage show entertaining. Everyone happy!

Even the weather gods smiled on the show as a huge storm loomed in the west during the afternoon, but moved on leaving good conditions for the outdoor event.

On December 13, the FF's will perform their next concert in Auckland, New Zealand.

Foo Fighters - Performing  "Walk" at the Gold Coast on 10/12/2011

Music News - Justin Bieber Sings 'Mistletoe' At The Christmas In Washington Concert (World News)

Justin Bieber Joined With A Stellar Cast Including President Obama And Family For The Annual Hospital Fund-Raiser.

Justin Bieber, with numerous other high profile celebrities, joined President Barack Obama and his family to celebrate the 30th annual "Christmas in Washington Concert" recently. All proceeds from the gala event will benefit the Children's National Medical Center (the major children's hospital in Washington). A telecast of the concert will be shown on TNT next Friday at 8pm ET.

The set-list included many classic Christmas favourites.

The evening's program started with "This Christmas" and "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" sung by Cee Lo Green, followed by Justin Bieber singing his current festive season hit Mistletoe. More Christmas classic favourites followed, finishing with a closing medley of carols sung in a series of "mini-performances" by the guest stars.
Justin Bieber, although under the influence of a bad cold, managed to put it all behind him spurred on by singing for the President. In a Tweet, Justin wrote, "Feeling good. Just had some fun at rehearsals and now we r ready. Time to sing for the President."

Other celebrities and cast for the chilly night were: Cee Lo Green, The Band Perry, USN Academy Glee Club, Victoria Justice, Washington Youth Choir, Jennifer Hudson, American Family Choir, and the AFTRA Choir.
Host for the evening was Conan O'Brien, who managed to taunt Justin Bieber when he commented, "It's especially exciting to be here during this joyous season, when we celebrate the arrival of a miracle child, worshiped by millions around the world," he said. "Of course I'm talking about Justin Bieber."

In closing the evening, President Obama paid tribute to everyone involved, including Conan O'Brien, calling him the "host of the best late-night show on TBS." The President continued with the Christmas message, calling this the "season to celebrate miracles."

To close the night, the first family with all the performers, assembled on stage to sing "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing".

Justin Bieber - "Mistletoe"

Music News - Blondes’ Sam Haar And Zach Steinman To Release Debut Album In February 2012 (World News, Music News)

The Blondes will be releasing their first self titled debut electronic album this coming New Year.
Artists Sam Haar and Zach Steinman, who make up the group Blondes has plans to drop their first self titled debut studio album this coming New Year on February 7^th 2012, per New York Times.  The duo of Haar and Steinman have been collaborating together after becoming friends in college, forming their group years later after meeting up in Berlin.


Their music is often referred to as electronic/pop that has been inspired by artists such as Manuel Gottsching.  After both studying electro acoustic composition and studio art, Blondes will finally deliver their first body of work in the form of a two disc cd in digital format.

Previously discussing how their music came to be, the Blondes talked about their roots.  "In college we were into Gang of Four and Television,” Steinman said, “but our tastes evolved through ’70s disco and Kraut, and eventually ’80s electronic.”

Together the studio album includes 18 tracks with music from remixes of Optimo's JD Twitch, Dungeon Acid, SFV Acid, and others.  Check out the track list below and the Blondes latest music video for 'Wine', the fifth song off of their debut album.
 
     Disc 1

1. Lover
2. Hater
3. Business 
4. Pleasure
5. Wine
6. Water
7. Gold
8. Amber

Disc 2

1. Lover (A JD Twitch Optimo Mix)
2. Lover (Dungeon Acid Remix)
3. Hater (SFV Acid's Encino Oaks Remix)
4. Business (John Roberts Remix)
5. Pleasure (Andy Stott Remix)
6. Wine (Teengirl Fantasy Remix)
7. Water (Bicep Remix)
8. Gold (One Blonde Strange Idea by Traxx)
9. Gold (Laurel Halo Chains Remix)
10. Amber (Variation in Cm by Rene Hell)

Music News - Kelly Clarkson Covers I’ll Be Home For Christmas (World News, Music News)

Singer Kelly Clarkson has dropped a new single, covering I’ll Be Home For Christmas.
American Idol winner turned pop star Kelly Clarkson has released her own rendition of the classic holiday song ‘I’ll Be Home for Christmas’.  Covering the festive song, Clarkson has garnered positive reviews and media attention alike, with her cover being called "heartwarming" by Aceshowbiz.

The cover Christmas song done by Clarkson is now available on iTunes in the artist’s new eight song sessions on the media platform.  While her new song is faring well with fans, the singer is also celebrating her two time win at the American Country Awards recently.

After collaborating with country singer Jason Aldean on 'Don’t You Wanna Stay', the two took home awards for both a Single Vocal Collaboration, and a Music Video by a Group or Collaboration.

Tweeting about the unexpected good new, Clarkson, who says she wasn’t aware she was a nominee, was very happy and excited about her win.  "I just found out I won 2 awards tonight with @Jason_Aldean! I had no clue we were even up for any awards haha!" She tweeted, "That's awesome! Go us :)."

Listen to Kelly Clarkson's festive version of 'I'll Be Home For Christmas' below.  Clarkson's iTunes Session will be made available for download this coming December 27th.