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 Beyonce Fashion Lines Launches 15/11/2005
| Beyonce Knowles is launching her new fashion line, House of Dereon, Tuesday, November 15. The company is named for Beyonce's grandmother, Agnes Dereon, a seamstress who designed and created clothing for private clients. Beyonce's mother Tina, who has been designing Beyonce's clothes for years, is the creator of the line, with her daughter as the inspiration. Beyonce told Extra, "The whole theme is taking nothing and turning it into something because that's what my grandmother did with all kinds of fabrics. She just turned everything into masterpieces, and that's what my mother does." The full line of clothes features ready-to-wear, casual sportswear and denim, as well as furs, handbags and footwear. To get a sneak peak, log on to houseofdereon.com. |
Lil' Kim's New album "Naked Truth" scheduled for the 13th of September 06/09/2005
| On Thursday in New York, her label previewed a few tracks from her September 13 release, making it clear why Kim's been so light on interviews in the past year: she's been saving her fiery expressiveness for the album. Foxy Brown, 50 Cent, Junior MAFIA and Star Jones all become the object of Kim's quips, subliminal jabs and outright name-calling. There a track called "Spell Check," a possible single produced by Red Spyda, where the so-called black Erica Kane actually spells out a bunch of words in her rhymes, sort of similar to how K-Solo got down on the classic record "Spellbound." Kim says she likes it raw like ODB, and before she bows out on the track, she addresses her "Magic Stick" co-star 50 Cent. "Your man five-o, I don't see him in the club/ 'Cause he's out in CT with a di-- in his butt," she raps.... read more |
Singer Macy Gray Volunteers at Astrodome 04/09/2005
It wasn't for a concert. R&B singer Macy Gray came to town specifically to help refugees from the flooding in New Orleans. "I just really wanted to help out," Gray said after spending Saturday handing out clothes and toiletries in the Astrodome. "I think the most important thing to them is their futures. They are here, and they have gotten out of that disaster but it is, like, now what? Because they can't live like that forever." About 18,500 survivors were housed in the Astrodome and an adjacent meeting hall. More than 120,000 refugees were in 97 shelters in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio and dozens of smaller cities across the vast state, Gov. Rick Perry's office said, with another 100,000 in hotels and motels. Uncounted more were in churches or private homes. The Grammy winner said she was able to lift the refugees' spirits and many were excited to see her. With more than 220,000 hurricane refugees camped out in Texas and more coming, Perry warned Saturday that his enormous state was running out of room.
"Texas is committed to doing everything it can to help our neighbors from Louisiana, but we want to make certain that we can provide them with the medical care, food, shelter, safety, education and other services they need to start getting their lives back together," Perry said in a statement. "Local officials are beginning to notify us that they are quickly approaching capacity in the number of evacuees they believe they can assist." Buses continued to arrive at the Astrodome, where many were redirected to other evacuation centers after people were processed and evaluated for medical conditions. |
Eminem Hospitalized For Sleep-Medication Dependency 18/08/2005
| Two days after Eminem abruptly canceled his European tour, citing exhaustion and unspecified "other medical issues," his spokesperson revealed that the rapper has been hospitalized for a sleep-medication dependency. The 32-year-old MC's label issued a statement confirming that he is receiving treatment. "Marshall Mathers, a.k.a. Eminem, is in the hospital under doctors' care," Interscope Records said in the statement. "He's being treated for dependency on sleep medication." The label would not give any additional information about where he was being treated or how long he is expected to be hospitalized. On Tuesday, Interscope announced that the 10-date European leg of the Anger Management 3 Tour — which was slated to run from a September 1 show in Hamburg, Germany, to the September 17 closer near Dublin, Ireland — had been called off (see "Eminem Cancels European Tour Due To Exhaustion"). Those dates are not going to be rescheduled, though 50 Cent announced on Wednesday that he would continue with his own headlining shows in Europe with a different routing and the addition of Akon to the bill. |
Lil'Kim : No Bounds on Naked Truth 29/07/2005
We all know that Lil' Kim is going away soon..to jail, for about a year. But hearing the forceful Queen Bee on her new LP, The Naked Truth, it sounds like she's already coming back. On Thursday in New York, her label previewed a few tracks from her September 13 release, making it clear why Kim's been so light on interviews in the past year: she's been saving her fiery expressiveness for the album. Foxy Brown, 50 Cent, Junior M.A.F.I.A. and Star Jones all become the object of Kim's quips, subliminal jabs and outright name-calling. There's a track called "Spell Check," a possible single produced by Red Spyda, where the so-called black Erica Kane actually spells out a bunch of words in her rhymes, sort of similar to how K-Solo got down on the classic record "Spellbound." Kim says she likes it raw like ODB, and before she bows out on the track, she addresses her "Magic Stick" co-star 50 Cent. "Your man five-o, I don't see him in the club/ 'Cause he's out in CT with a ....," she raps, next making reference to a homosexual act. Later her wrath turns toward Lil' Cease and Junior M.A.F.I.A., comparing the crew to a part of a woman's anatomy because they "took the DA's side." Kim yells "f--- Junior M.A.F.I.A." and anyone who rides with them on the anti-snitch anthem "My N---as," and she addresses them again on "So Quiet." Kim references her recent perjury trial (see "Lil' Kim Gets A Year And A Day In Prison") and says her former crew was "droppin' dimes like Sprint" and "confessing like Usher."
Elsewhere on the record, Kim doesn't say Foxy Brown's name, but makes it obvious she's talking about the Ill Nana, rhyming "Jacki-O proved you far from a fighter/ ... I'm not gonna come at you, I'm gonna come at your ghost writer." It's a big mama thing all over again on "The Game's in Trouble." Kim professes that her microphone dormancy has ended over a track that samples Michael Jackson's "Heartbreak Hotel." She acts like Cheryl Miller, coaching girls on how to deal with men; she wipes smiles off haters' faces and makes it hard for them to breathe. So why else is the rap game is trouble? Oh that's an easy one; Kim is "the biggest, baddest bitch in town" and "everybody knows the girl gets down." Even the feds know her steelo. "The government tried to put me through it/ But I'm back to style on y'all like Martha Stewart," the Brooklyn, New York trendsetter says later. Her former boyfriend Scott Storch produced "Brooklyn," an ode to her borough. Kim sheds the normal rap flow for the most part and adopts a reggae-flavored rhyme delivery reminiscent of Damian Marley on "Welcome to Jamrock." Kim's rep said that she should be finished recording the project within a week. |
Mariah Carey : Wardrobe-heavy 'Shake It off" in New video 29/07/2005
Mariah Carey shakes it off in her next video — so much so that she's practically nude, twice. Not that we get to see much, of course, but Carey keeps viewers guessing during the Jake Nava-directed "Shake It Off" as she costume-changes her way through a breakup that starts with her in the bath and ends when she drops her robe. Carey reaches the realization she has to "shake you off" while lying in a bathtub overflowing with water and rose petals: "Just like the Calgon commercial/ I really gotta get up out of here." So she leaves a message for her lover while sitting on top of the dining room table, decked out in bright blue makeup and high heels: "By the time you get this message/ It's gonna be too late/ So don't bother paging me/ 'Cause I'll be on my way," she sings into the phone. Still, her mind must not be that made up, because she manages to change yet again, before grabbing her bag and heading out the door as she sings, "So I packed up my Louis Vuitton/ Jumped in your ride and took off."
It takes her a bit to jump in that ride, because first she has to stroll down "Emancipation Street," where shops are called "So So Fetch" and "Pink Yet Lavender," and schoolgirls do a sort of shake dance at the pay phones. Jermaine Dupri, who produced the sparse, thumping, mid-tempo track, also pops up on a television screen and on street corners to give a little guidance, with suggestions like "Check this out" and "Bounce." When Carey does get in the car, with a possible new love in tow, it's time to leave another message to remind her ex that she's found out about his cheating ways "with this one and that one/ By the pool, on the beach, in the streets." Her phone breaks up as she drives past the "Hollyhood" sign, so she tells him, "Hold on," singing, "Save this recording, because I'm never coming back home." After performing the chorus in two more settings — the bleachers of a football game and a stage with her name in lights ("Mimi," that is) — Carey finally shakes off the song itself, lip-synching the second track where she does more of her vocal gymnastics, instead of the main melody. She then slips out of her robe and walks into the sunset, with the glare obscuring whether she's wearing anything at this point. If this is her emancipation proclamation, perhaps it's something she should have done before the wedding in "We Belong Together." |
Eminem Contemplating Retirement 19/07/2005
Rapper Eminem, who has won nine Grammy Awards in his career, is contemplating retirement, according to those close to him. The rapper's best friend, Proof of D12, told the Detroit Free Press, "Em has definitely gotten to the level where he feels like he's accomplished everything he can accomplish in rap. He wants to kick back and get into the producing thing." Proof added, "Why not bow out while you're on top?"
The rapper's manager, Paul Rosenberg, wouldn't confirm that Eminem was retiring, saying that there's still no official decision, but he added that the rapper's last album, Encore, was "certainly the cap on this part of his career."
Rosenberg added that he thought people would pick up on the rapper's possible retirement based on Encore's title. He said, "I was actually pretty shocked when no one picked up on the concept." Rosenberg also explained why Eminem hasn't made an official announcement yet. He said, "He didn't want to seem like one of those guys who's playing a trick on his fans, or playing with their heads." If Eminem is indeed retiring, the rapper's last performance may be in Dublin in September, as he is currently on the Anger Management 3 tour with 50 Cent, D12, Ludacris, and others. Eminem has generated over $1 billion in sales and is the Number One selling rap artist of all time. |
Rick James: Album To Be Released Next Month 12/07/2005
Music that the late punk funkster Rick James was working on before his death last year will be released on a new album titled Rick James Forever, due August 16 on Sanctuary Records.
The album will include a collaboration with James' daughter Ty titled "My Life," as well as the track "Do You Wanna Play?," featuring Johnny Gill and Howard Hewett, according to Billboard.com . Other tracks included on the set will be "Taste," "When Your Body's Mine," "Sapphire," "Freak Baby," "Sex Slave," "Deeper Still," "Funk With Me," "Stroke" and "Brass Bed." Plans are underway for an all-star Rick James tribute concert to coincide with the release of Rick James Forever, but no details have been confirmed. James was found dead in his Los Angeles apartment on August 6, 2004, after an apparent heart attack. His autopsy report showed that he had several drugs in his system at the time of his death. One of James' last public appearances was June 28, 2004, when he picked up a Rhythm & Soul Heritage Award at the 17th annual ASCAP R&B Awards in Los Angeles. There he told reporters that he had recorded about 30 new tracks for what he visualized as a double album. Asked about the future of funk music, James said: "It's a really sad thing, but music as music--actuality, music is dead. It's gone. I mean, there'll be no other, no Earth Wind & Fires, there'll be no Temptations, there'll be no more Stevie Wonders. There'll be no more Billie Holidays, there'll be no more Commodores, you know. There'll be no more Sly & the Family Stone, there'll be no more Parliament-Funkadelic, there'll be no more Rick James." |
Janet Jackson working on new Album
Janet Jackson is working with producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis for her next album, due out in 2006. The set will mark 20 years since the trio first collaborated on Janet's Control, which earned Jam and Lewis a Producer of the Year Grammy. Lewis tells Billboard.com that the three are working together the way they did in the early days, saying, "It used to be a lot of involvement from all of us, and at some point when Janet became more confident with her writing ability, she did the bulk of the writing. And it's kind of come back full circle. We're all kind of back in there doing it again together which I really enjoy."
Jackson explained her unique relationship with Jam and Lewis: "You know, we have such a great relationship, and it's not just a working relationship -- we're very good friends. And through all of this, this time in my life, they were there, and we talked, and they listened. And actually, Jimmy's oldest son is my godson. I just am so thankful and appreciative that Jimmy, musically speaking, he loves listening to different styles."
Janet's boyfriend, Jermaine Dupri, is executive producer of the album. This will be Janet's first album since 2004's Damita Jo. That album was released shortly after the Super Bowl XXXVIII (38) half-time show in which Justin Timberlake pulled off part of Janet's costume revealing her breast. Justin later insisted the incident was a "wardrobe malfunction." Damita Jo debuted at Number Two on the Billboard 200 albums chart, and has sold close to a million copies in the U.S. |
Luther Vandross: Alicia Keys, Usher, Patti... 11/07/2005
Alicia Keys, Usher, Patti LaBelle, Cissy Houston, Ashford & Simpson, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, and Dionne Warwick were among the thousand-plus mourners in Harlem's Riverside Church in New York City on Friday (July 8) to pay final respects to Grammy-Award winning singer Luther Vandross, who died from stroke-related complications on July 1.
While hundreds were turned away, those who made it inside were treated to a send-off like no other as Franklin belted out "Amazing Grace," LaBelle sang "No Ways Tired," Houston performed the gospel standard "Deep River," and Wonder sang "I Can't Complain." Towards the end of the funeral, several of the stars performed Vandross's hit "Power Of Love/Love Power."
The ceremony also included LaBelle reading a poem written by the late singer's mother Ida Mae Vandross. LaBelle told the Associated Press, "There are no sad faces here today. It's not a mournful service. I'm celebrating because Luther would want us too." Following the ceremony, Vandross's gold coffin was driven past the legendary Apollo Theater on its way to a New Jersey cemetery. The singer initially suffered the near-fatal stroke in April of 2003. He had been living in a rehabilitation facility in New Jersey. |
Prince's New Album Musicology...28/05/2004
| How long has Prince been artistically MIA? If you (generously) date his decline to the years following 1991’s Diamonds And Pearls, he’s been bafflingly mediocre as long as he was unquestionably brilliant. But after embracing symbol-ism, alleging slavery, and following his muse anywhere but toward the pop charts, he’s finally acknowledged that he knows what people want. The title track of Musicology asks pointedly, “Don’t you miss the feeling music gave you back in the day?” before closing with a dial-flipping montage of Prince’s own classics. This album doesn’t try to replicate them, since he’s still too proud to invite charges of pandering; the closest thing to a hit, the soulful, “When You Were Mine”-style power-pop of “Cinnamon Girl,” obscures its hook with jagged guitar intrusions and inscrutable post-9/11 philosophizing. Yet these dozen songs, which swing with the organic, old-school funk Prince began embracing in the late-’80s, also avoid his ‘90s excesses, combining rock and soul as effortlessly and succinctly as he ever has. As personally, too: his perpetual battle between raunch and religion is replaced by fortysomething reflections on married life and love, closing with the wistful admission, “Sometimes I just wanna go sit out on the stoop and play my guitar.” In fact, he was out there by himself for too long. Welcome back, Prince -- your throne is still waiting. |
DMX Hit With Additional Charges Following Arrest At Kennedy Airport - 30/06/2004
| Rapper and actor DMX and an associate, Jackie Hudgins, were both charged with criminal possession of a weapon and a controlled substance (crack cocaine) following their arrest on Thursday night (June 24), in the parking lot of Kennedy International Airport in New York. The Associated Press reports that the rapper was also charged with criminal mischief, impersonation, menacing, DUI, and endangering the welfare of a child. If convicted, both men could face up to seven years in prison. DMX and Hudgins were both released on $15,000 bail. According to the criminal complaint, DMX crashed his black 1998 Ford Expedition through an airport parking lot exit gate and told the attendant to let him leave because he was a federal agent. The rapper's vehicle was equipped with lights and a siren. The rapper then allegedly ordered a driver in a nearby parking lot to get out of his vehicle. When the driver refused, the rapper identified himself as a federal agent and grabbed the driver's seat belt buckle before allegedly attempting to pull him out of the car. The unidentified driver's 13-year-old daughter was in the backseat. Port Authority Police arrested the rapper and Hudgins soon thereafter. They allegedly found a billy club and rocks of crack cocaine in DMX's vehicle. According to court documents, DMX said the unidentified driver cut him off. Hudgins told authorities he attempted to calm the rapper down and that he gave him the $9 to pay the parking lot attendant. Prosecutors say the rapper had hundreds of dollars on him in cash when he was arrested. Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said in a statement, "The charges involve alarming and potentially dangerous conduct that resulted in damage to property and a threat to public safety." |
Relly Kelly Prepares Double Album- 31/05/2004
| R&B star R Kelly dives into this motherlode with his double CD, "Happy People / U Saved Me" previewed for the 13th of July via Jive. Containing songs of love and dance / Groove on one disk and inspirational on the other one, the 20-cut CD of R Kelly is the 8eme album of Jive Studio. The 1st single of "Happy People" has already dented the eighth place(square) in Billboard charts, amounting to the number 8 this week on R*B / Hip-hop Singles and Tracks and fall of 20-21 on 100 Top Pop |
'Flap Your Wings' Nelly Says- 30/05/2004
| Nelly fans will have to wait a little longer for the two albums he's releasing simultaneously this year, but for now the rapper can at least offer up names for the discs, and soon he'll drop a first single from each. Sweat will be the title of the grittier of the two discs, which is said to have songs for the clubs, the bedroom and the streets a la "Hot in Herre" and "Air Force Ones." And since the last time Nelly really busted out big-time was with P. Diddy and Murphy Lee on "Shake Ya Tailfeather," it's only right that he has a new set of instructions for his flock. Sweat's first single is called "Flap Your Wings" and features the production handiwork of the Neptunes. Nelly's second LP in the double-dose offering has been christened Suit, and it's described as the more melodic of the discs, somewhere in the vein of songs like "Pimp Juice." Nelly has his pimp juices flowing on the lead cut from the album, a track called "My Place." The song is a hip-hop take on Teddy Pendergrass' 1979 baby-making ditty "Come Go With Me." Fittingly, Jaheim, who's drawn comparisons to Pendergrass, will be singing, "Come on and go with me, come on over to my place." Nelly will shoot videos for both singles in the next couple of weeks. Sweat and Suit, now due September 14, had originally been slated for August 17 |
Judge Allows R Kelly To Travel- 30/05/2004
| R. Kelly appeared in a Chicago courtroom Friday, seeking permission to travel to promote his upcoming Happy People album. Once granted, the singer promptly announced he's headlining New York radio station Hot 97's Summer Jam concert on June 12 at Giants Stadium. About a year ago Kelly had asked the court to let him travel outside its jurisdiction to headline that same annual radio concert, but once it turned out he wasn't actually scheduled to perform, Judge Vincent Gaughan admonished him for misleading the court and then denied permission for Kelly's other travel requests, including a trip to Los Angeles to shoot a video. Though a number of motions in Kelly's child-pornography case — many filed in December — remain to be argued, the case was continued until August 13. A spokesperson for the state attorney's office said prosecutors expect several issues to be addressed at the next hearing, including arguments about forensic video analysis of the infamous sex tape as well as proposed expert witnesses (see "R. Kelly Team Steps Up Call For Dismissal Of Porn Charges"). For the most complete overview yet of the case against R. Kelly, see our feature "R. Kelly: When the Gavel Drops," and be sure to tune in to "R. Kelly: When the Gavel Drops" on Friday at 9:30 p.m., Saturday at 12:30 a.m. and 10 a.m., and Sunday at 4 p.m. and midnight. |
Elvin Jones Jazz Drummer ....21/05/2004
Beyonce Wins Record-Tying Five Grammys- 02/09/2004
LOS ANGELES - Beyonce captured a record-tying five Grammys on Sunday for her solo debut album "Dangerously in Love," while Justin Timberlake had two and apologized for his role in Janet Jackson's Super Bowl flash. Jackson's breast-baring at the hands of dance partner Timberlake remained the major subplot. CBS and Jackson offered conflicting reports about why she was not at the show, and CBS which also televised the Super Bowl instituted a five-minute delay on the "live" Grammy broadcast to avoid any more scandal. "I know it's been a rough week on everybody " said Timberlake, stifling a self-deprecating laugh while accepting the best male pop vocal performance award for "Cry Me A River." He brought his mother as his date. "What occurred was unintentional, completely regrettable, and I apologize if you guys are offended," he said. The 46th annual awards show began at 4:55 p.m. with Prince a former raunch king in his '80s heyday performing "Purple Rain," marking the 20th year of the groundbreaking song and movie. Beyonce, wearing a tight dress with a feather skirt that fleetingly revealed her pink panties, joined Prince on his hits and then sang her own "Crazy in Love," which won two trophies for best R&B song and best rap/sung collaboration. Her boyfriend, Jay-Z, won two awards for collaborating on that hit. Beyonce also won best female R&B performance for "Dangerously in Love," best contemporary R&B album for "Dangerously in Love" and best R&B performance by a duo or group with vocals for "The Closer I Get To You," a remake she did with Luther Vandross. Her five trophies tied a record set by Alicia Keys, Norah Jones and Lauryn Hill for the most Grammys won by a female artist. "This is unbelievable. Performing was enough for me," an excited Beyonce said. OutKast, nominated for a leading six Grammys, had won two awards an hour into the broadcast: best urban/alternative performance for "Hey Ya!" and best rap album for "Speakerboxxx-The Love Below."
Other multiple winners included Jack White of The White Stripes and Eminem, with two each, and bluegrass singer Alison Krauss, who had three. The year's best-selling artist, rapper 50 Cent, was shut out despite five nominations. But the bullet-scarred rapper made sure he got onstage anyway, walking up with Evanescence when they beat him out for best new artist. "Thank you, 50," said Evanesence's Amy Lee as the rap star smiled for the camera. It was a rare moment of surprise for a tightly scripted show devoid of outrageousness or wildness unlike today's pop scene. Timberlake was all over the awards, performing on several songs and winning two trophies. CBS said in a statement that it had reservations about allowing him and Jackson to appear as planned, but ultimately "respected the Recording Academy's wishes to produce the program they originally intended." CBS said it agreed to allow Timberlake and Jackson as long as they apologized on the air for their Super Bowl stunt. But a statement from Jackson's camp said CBS and the Grammys first asked her not to attend, then reversed themselves and re-invited her, but she chose not to attend.
"She was never uninvited," said Jason Padgitt of the publicity firm Rogers & Cowan, which represents the Recording Academy. "She was always invited to be here and she chose not to be."The incident bubbled below the surface all night. "I don't want to have the same thing happen that Janet had done,” Christina Aguilera said while accepting the award for best female pop vocal performance in a dress cut so low CBS briefly imposed a graphic across her chest. "But, uh, if I can keep it together ..." Vandross, who suffered a debilitating stroke last year, also won two other awards: best male R&B vocal performance for "Dance With My Father," and best R&B album for "Dance With My Father." Vandross is still recovering and was not well enough to attend.
However, he did address the crowd via videotape after a tribute featuring Alicia Keys, Celine Dion and Richard Marx, who co-wrote "Dance With My Father" with Vandross. In his first public appearance since his stroke, a weak-looking Vandross said slowly: "I wish I could be with you there tonight. I want to thank everyone for your love and support. "And remember, when I say goodbye it's never for long, because" and he sang "I believe in the power of love!" Pharrell Williams, who along with Jay-Z and OutKast also had six nominations, won his first Grammy during the pre-telecast ceremony for his production work with Chad Hugo as white-hot hitmakers The Neptunes. They have produced songs for artists ranging from Justin Timberlake to Jay-Z in 2003 alone. The Neptunes weren't even nominated last year, because the record companies they produced hits for forgot to put them on the ballot. "I was a little upset last year," Pharrell acknowledged during his acceptance speech. He also used the opportunity to stand up for friends Jackson and Timberlake. "What happened at the Super Bowl was a bit much, but I happen to know both of those people ... and they've done great things to support people around the world." The late Johnny Cash, and director Mark Romanek, won for best short form music video for the haunting song "Hurt." Cash's wife, who died a few months before him in 2003, won best traditional folk album for the posthumous release "Wildwood Flower." Another posthumous winner was Warren Zevon, who died of lung cancer just days after the release of his disc "The Wind," which won best contemporary folk album. It was his first Grammy. The unusual team of former President Bill Clinton, former Soviet Union president Mikhail Gorbachev and Sophia Loren won best spoken word album for children for their reading on "Prokofiev: Peter and the Wolf/Beintus: Wolf Tracks." |
Psychic: Jackson Denied Abusing Children- 18/01/2004
Psychic Uri Geller defended his friend Michael Jackson on Sunday, saying the pop singer denied under hypnosis three years ago that he had sexually abused children. Geller, best known for his claimed telekinetic ability to bend spoons, told Israel's Army Radio that he hypnotized Jackson when the two were alone in a recording studio at an undisclosed location. The hypnosis would have taken place before Jackson is alleged to have molested a cancer-stricken boy invited to his Neverland Ranch.
"I told him that that if he would let me, I would hypnotize him," Geller told the radio. "He said, 'Okay, let's give it a try.'" He said he asked Jackson about persistent rumors that he had abused children."He answered me under deep hypnosis that he had never touched a child in a sexual way," Geller said. "He said — and here I'm using his exact words — 'My relations with children are very beautiful.'" Geller said he was convinced Jackson was telling him the truth. "I'm a good hypnotist, and I know who is trying to mislead me ... " he said. "I can see straight into the subject's eyes ... (Jackson) didn't fool me, I'm absolutely sure of it."
Geller said he did not seek Jackson's permission to ask about the abuse allegations during the hypnosis, but that he posed the question because he was about to introduce Jackson to his family and wanted to be sure the singer was innocent. Geller was born and raised in Israel and has lived in Europe since 1972. Jackson faces seven counts alleging lewd or lascivious acts upon a child under 14 and two counts of administering an intoxicating agent. He has pleaded innocent. |
Jackson Dances on SUV After Innocent Plea-17/01/2004
As Michael Jackson pleaded innocent in his first hearing on child molestation charges, the judge planned to keep a tight rein on the singer and attorneys in the case.
But outside the courthouse, there was no containing the self-proclaimed King of Pop as he danced atop his SUV and invited a crush of fans to join him at his Neverland Ranch retreat.
Judge Rodney Melville immediately set a strict tone when he began the day's proceedings by scolding Jackson for being late to court — and laid out rules he said he expected attorneys on both sides to follow. Jackson was about 20 minutes late after taking time to greet cheering fans."Mr. Jackson, you have started out on the wrong foot here," the judge said. "I want to advise you that I will not put up with that. It's an insult to the court." The judge followed with a series of decisions designed to tame the players in a case that has already become an international media circus. He said he would order a gag order for the attorneys, and would refuse to unseal most of the court documents related to the Nov. 18 search of Neverland. Meanwhile, some 3,000 people — fans and news media from as far away as Japan and Norway — swarmed outside the courthouse in a scene more reminiscent of an awards show than a criminal proceeding. There was no red carpet, but reporters and fans were held back by barricades on either side as he followed a long walkway in front of the courthouse. Jackson wore big sunglasses and a black ensemble highlighted by a white armband, a medallion and shoes that glittered.
His entourage included his father, Joe, mother, Katherine, brother Jermaine and sister Janet. As he made his exit, the 45-year-old singer climbed atop the SUV that brought him to court, briefly abandoned the umbrella he carries to shield his face, and waved to the throng and danced. As Jackson tried to leave town, fans surrounded his vehicle, reaching through windows as guards and police ran alongside, sometimes shoving people back to clear the path. Many of the fans had traveled from Southern California and Las Vegas in chartered buses and cars in a "Caravan of Love." "This was spontaneous love," said attorney Benjamin Brafman, Jackson's new co-counsel. "This was not planned. I'm in the proceeding and I'm stunned." Jackson was soon back at his Neverland Ranch, about 25 miles away, where fans flocked after receiving invitations distributed by supporters who appeared to be members of the Nation of Islam.
About 1,000 people, many of them families with little children, took him up on the invitation, forming a line of hundreds of cars on the two-lane country road outside. Rides were open to all, ice cream, popcorn and drinks were provided, and Jackson's family gathered in the house for a luncheon. Jackson was charged last month with seven counts of lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14 and two counts of giving the child an "intoxicating agent," reportedly wine, between Feb. 7 and March 10, 2003.
Asked how he pleaded, Jackson softly but firmly uttered the words "not guilty." The judge scheduled a Feb. 13 session to set the date for a preliminary hearing, the proceeding used to determine whether there is enough evidence to hold Jackson for trial. The gag order will be modeled on one issued in Stanislaus County for the high-profile murder trial of Scott Peterson , who is accused of killing his pregnant wife. Peterson is being defended by Mark Geragos, who is also Jackson's attorney. An attorney for news organizations argued against the gag order and said there was clear legal precedent for unsealing the affidavit and search warrant, but the judge rejected the arguments. |
Justin Timberlake & Lionel Richie To Host 'Motown 45'
Justin Timberlake and Lionel Richie will host an ABC-TV special celebrating the hit singles of the legendary record label Motown this May. The working title of the special is Motown 45, and it will feature two hours of non-stop performances. The special will be taped at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on April 4.
From its beginnings in Detroit 45 years ago, Motown has become the symbol of R&B and soul music around the world. The talent lineup for the tribute show is still being created, but it will consist of a combination of legendary artists and today's hit makers. There will be no awards, tributes, or drawn out history lessons during the special--just music.
All proceeds from ticket sales to the event will be donated to the United Negro College Fund. |
Platinum-Selling Teen Group B2K Breaks Up-05/01/2004
Platinum-selling R&B quartet B2K has split up, their manager said Monday.
The teen heartthrobs gained instant success and legions of screaming fans when they made their debut in 2002. Their hits include "Bump, Bump, Bump" and "Uh Huh," and they will make their movie debut in "You Got Served," set for release on Jan. 30.
"We've had a great run together making hit songs, albums and now movies. The kids are growing up and are interested in pursing their own careers," manager Chris Stokes said in a statement. "I have enormous respect for each of them, and I wish them success in their pursuit of their individual careers. B2K was an extremely talented singing group that will surely be missed." A call to their publicist at Epic Records wasn't immediately returned. According to the statement, disagreements among the group members — Omarion (Omari Grandberry), Lil Fizz (Dreux Frederic), J-Boog (Jarrell Houston) and Raz B (De'mario Thornton)_ fueled the breakup of B2K, meaning Boys of the Millennium. Stokes said he would continue to manage the career of Omarion, who has the starring role in "You Got Served." The soundtrack to the movie, now in record stores, may serve as the group's last album together. |
Singer Bobby Brown Charged With Battery
Singer Bobby Brown was charged with battery Wednesday, three days after he allegedly hit his wife, singer and actress Whitney Houston. Fulton County police spokesman Kurtis Young said Brown, 34, turned himself in. Brown and Houston left Fulton County Magistrate Court together after they and their attorneys met with police. Brown is scheduled to appear at a preliminary hearing Jan. 7. Brown's lawyer, Maurice Bennett, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that his client and Houston were trying to work out the problem "as husband and wife." Houston, 40, declined comment, but her lawyer, Mark Trigg, echoed Bennett's comments, saying: "She is trying to resolve the matter privately."
Houston told police Sunday that Brown had struck her on the left side of her face with an open right hand at the couple's home near Alpharetta. Brown then went to the airport for a flight to Los Angeles, the police report said.
Police said Houston had a bruised cheek and a cut inside her upper lip. Simple battery is punishable by up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine. Normally on a first offense in domestic violence cases, the charge is dismissed if the defendant undergoes counseling.
Brown served seven days in DeKalb County Jail in August for violating his probation for a 1996 drunken driving conviction. He also served 26 days in a Florida jail in 2000 for an earlier probation violation. Houston and Brown have been married since 1992. They have a 10-year-old daughter, Bobbi Kristina. |
Beyonce, R. Kelly Win 4 Billboard Awards
Sultry singer Beyonce and crooner R. Kelly each took home four awards from the 2003 Billboard Music Awards.
Beyonce, who appeared at the ceremony Wednesday in a sequined Versace dress, won new female artist of the year, new R&B artist, Hot 100 female artist and a special Hot 100 award for most weeks at No 1. The Destiny's Child frontwoman, who went solo this year with her album "Dangerously in Love," told reporters before the show that she was nervous about the possibility of making an acceptance speech. "I don't know what to say. I completely blank out," she said. In the end, she told the crowd after winning the Hot 100 female artist award: "This is amazing. This has been an incredible year."
R. Kelly, whose album "Chocolate Factory" sold more than two million copies despite a looming child pornography case against him, was the night's other big winner. He took home awards for Hot 100 producer, R&B producer, Hot 100 songwriter and R&B songwriter — and closed the show with a flamboyant performance that had him riding down the aisle in a horse-drawn chariot. No Doubt opened the nationally televised show, hosted by Ryan Seacrest of "American Idol," with a performance of their hit single "It's My Life."
Singers Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson , featured on the MTV reality show "Newlyweds," presented the first award for duo/group of the year to 3 Doors Down. Simpson — now famous for her dippy blonde moments on the show — turned to her husband and said, "Don't say anything dipsy or stupid. I keep telling myself the sex is worth it."Triumph the Insult Comic Dog provided additional comic relief, saying he and Michael Jackson had a lot in common: "We're both partly made of rubber."
Rapper 50 Cent had a leading six nominations heading into the show at the MGM Grand hotel-casino. By the end of the night, he won three awards — for top artist, R&B artist and rap artist. Stevie Wonder presented Sting with the Century Award for creative achievement. The Grammy Award-winning singer has sold 100 million albums and singles with The Police and as a solo artist. But Sting said album sales didn't matter: "If you play music with passion and love and honesty, then it will nourish your soul, heal your wounds and make your life worth living."For the first time, the Billboard Awards recognized the sales of legally downloaded music tracks, honoring "Hey Ya!" by OutKast as the digital track of the year.The Billboard Awards honor the year's chart-topping artists. Winners are determined by the magazine's year-end chart listings, which are based on record sales and airplay. |
Madonna smooches with Britney & X-tina at VMA
| Proving they've come a long way from their Mouseketeer days, the young pop tarts gave a gyrating, writhing tribute to Madonna to open the show. Dressed in the same kind of white bustier wedding dress Madonna wore while performing "Like a Virgin" during MTV's inaugural awards broadcast in 1984, Spears and Aguilera sang a cover of the not-so-innocent tune. Then, while Madonna sang her new "Hollywood" in a masculine, all-black groom's outfit, she shared an openmouthed kiss with both Aguilera and Spears. The two smooches rivaled the Michael Jackson (news)-Lisa Marie Presley (news) kiss at the awards in 1994 on the shock meter. |
Mary j Blige to perform at VMAs 25/08/2003
Mary J. Blige has just joined the list of artists who will perform at MTV's Video Music Awards on August 28 at New York's Radio City Music Hall. Other artists who will play at the ceremony include 50 Cent, Good Charlotte, Coldplay, and Christina Aguilera. Blige received a nomination for her work with Common on his "Come Close" video.
Blige's new album Love & Life hits stores on August 26. It includes the single "Love @ 1st Sight," which features Method Man.
Blige, along with Aerosmith, Aretha Franklin, and Britney Spears, will perform prior to kickoff for the New York Jets and Washington Redskins game taking place on September 4. They'll play on National Mall in Washington, D.C., to help start the NFL's 2003 season and salute America's military members. |
Michael Jackson plans to censure Scary movie 3 25/08/2003
michael jackosn |
Michael jackson is not taking it lightly.He has threatened to take the producers of scary movie 3 to court if they don't cut the scene with his look alike making reference to past accusations of pedophily, of which he was subject. Where is his sense of humeur? Will Michael make them see reason? reply on the 24th of December in french cinema halls. |
Soul2K radio! Coming soon on DIRECT
| Listen to the best of SOul2K live and on direct on your computer thanks to Soul2K Radio. You can connect to a selection of titles especially sorted out by the Webmaster. A new Start up in French webradios, Soul2KRadio proposes to you the Best of The Best of Soul2K. Surf in music at the rate/rhythm of a radio with European vocation. Tubes, News and Free-Antenna composes the essence of the program. |
Kylie Minogue in a fray 25/08/2003
Kylie Minogue in the fray...
Kylie Minogue and Russell Crowe will occur at the time of a duet in October for the opening ceremony of the Rugby World Cup in Australia. It's up to both artists to agree on a title. Russel Crowe normally performs with the pop rock group 30 Odd Foot of Grunts and Kylie Minogue gives the rather sexy pop style... Their tastes thus diverge somewhat! Russel Crowe would like to interpret Especially for You, a duet of Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan going back to 1988, but Kylie Minogue wishes to make a cross on her past...
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50 Cent stormsFrance - 10/08/2003
| Excellent news for all 50 Cent fans! Eminem's protégé will be on scene in France, October 2, 2003 at the Zenith of Paris. Those of you who had the chance to see him on 20 of last June at Bercy beside Eminem knows that the new Yorkean rapper is worth the blow to be seen and heard on scene... An event not to be missed! At the same time know that you will soon have news of his future opus. Indeed, 50 Hundreds prepare right now the successor of Get Rich gold Die Tryin Maybe new songs during the concert at the Zenith? It will be necessary to go to check!!! |
Sean Paul with Get Busy
| Sean Paul Henriques makes known himself on the scene dancehall Jamaican in 1996 with the title baby Girl. 4 years later, his 1st album Stage One (2000) arrived at the United States where he receives a good reception and allures the hip-hop medium. He collaborated with Jay-Z, The Neptunes or DMX. At 28 years, he signed his 2nd album... Sean Paul sails between reggae, dance hall and hip-hop; and as its title indicates ("Dutty" means "dirty" in Jamaican slang), Dutty Rock does not embarrass an ornament. The rhythmic energetic ragga and sometimes hip-hop, support the song and gives an irresistible desire to dance. A gaining mixture! To note: the participation of Busta Rhymes on the remix of the title Gimme the Light, and Get Busy. |
It's "OVER" for Brandy & Robert - 10/08/2003
This title is not a topic anymore since the American singer has just separated from her husband, Robert Smith (not singer of the Cure), a music producer with which she had been married to during the summer of 2001. A 24 years, Brandy had a baby girl, Sy'rai, and spun a perfect love relationship with her husband. The R&B singer is thus now a heart to be taken! One of the members of the entourage of the singer confirmed that the beautiful one had not given precise reasons to this unexpected rupture and that two tourtures ones would remain friendly and raise their small daughter accordingly!!!
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Beyonce Knowles-Dangerously in Love- 07/08/2003
| Beyonce is on leave from Destiny' S Child. She took her time to record her first solo album, DANGEROUSLY IN LOVE. Between sensual ballades and bright tubes, the objective of this album holds in a sentence: I know that the public likes me as a pop star. From now on, I want them to understand me as an artist. By-produced by her manager, her father, Dangerously in Love is a breakthru. All the songs were Co-written by La Belle and one finds guests of mark Like Jay-Z on 2 titles including top single Crazy in Love but also Sean Paul, Missy Elliott and... Akhenaton and Shurik' N of group IAM! Well written, well produced, barded ultra-effective beats, this 1st opus confirms what one already knew, Beyoncé is a true artist, even without Destiny' S Child! |
Snoop, Nate & Warren G -10/08/2003
Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg and Warren G on a single album produced by the collective The Neptunes, it is for very soon! Flash back: in 1991 a trio of young rappeurs originating in Los Angeles under the name of 213 was formed, the postal code Length Beach (California). You guessed it, these three rappeurs are non other than Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg and Warren G.
After their separation, they all of course became stars of hip-hop, but as a true rapper never forgets his past, Snoop and the others decided to reform 213 and to release an album at the end of the year or at the beginning of 2004! The rap "west coast" is back thus indeed, with a production which will carry the claw of The Neptunes. The 1st single would even have, according to Snoop Dogg, being ready for in a few weeks... remain with the flow! 213 should be sensational... |
Barry White- A best Of for Août
| Next August 19, will released a best of Barry White entitled The Best of Barry White 20th Century Masters/Millennium Collection. This compilation in fact was already on the make by the record label before his death. The Great Maestro Barry, who left us the 4 of last July, will thus have once more the occasion to make us relive his great musical moments like Never, Never Gonna Give ya Up, Can' T Get Enough of Your Love Babe, or You' Re the First, the Last, my Eveything. The album will contain 12 titles covering his periods of 1973-1999 remasterized for the occasion. |
Barry White is dead...7/07/2003
Barry White |
The King de Soul Music, Barry White left us Friday, 4 July at 58 years old...
The Great Barry White died Friday at 58 years due to problems of health that he had since last September... Placed under dialysis for more than 8 months, the soul singer had recently had kidney problems and high blood pressure... True icon for a number of soul singers and R&B, Barry White had succeeded to get everyone in agreement in the 70' S with enormous tubes like Never, Never Gonna Give ya Up, Can' T Get Enough of Your Love Babe, or You' Re the First, the Last, my Eveything. Then the Eighties and Nineties had definitively installed the man with the so serious voice in the heart of the other generations while appearing on an incredible number of compilations, without counting them, republications of his successes of the Seventies. The last real marking of his exemplary career was his reward in Grammy Awards in 2000. Homage paid to the voice registered in all the spirits.... RIP!!! |
Toni Braxton...
11 Octobre 2002
Toni Braxton accuses Rap superstar Jay-Z and singer Beyonce Knowles of Destiny's Child of having released a duet, "Bonnie And Clyde," as the first single from the rapper's forthcoming album, Blueprint II: The Gift And The Curse (due November 5). R&B star Toni Braxton maintains that she recorded a similar version of the song first and played it for a friend who works at Def Jam Records, the distributor of Jay-Z's Roc-A-Fella Records. Toni Braxton affirms that some months ago, she herself made a repris of it Me And My Boyfriend. It also planned to include it in the tracklist of its next album. The plaintiff estimates that the duet borrowed certain melodies and used the samples in a similar way... Of course the Jay-Z clan denies these charges.
A disconcerting thing remains: in the refrain of Bonnie & Clyde, Beyonce Knowles includes several times the sentence "me and my boyfriend". Simple coincidence?
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Luther Vandross-Luther Vandross- LaBelle, Levert...
 Luther Vandross- LaBelle, Levert, Evans pays hommage to Luther Vandross at the "Essence Music Festival" |
Luther Vandross |
Luther Vandross was slated to perform at the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans during the Fourth of July weekend (July 4-6) but the singer remains in a coma in a New York hospital. Patti LaBelle, the Luther Vandross Band, Gerald Levert, Faith Evans, Ashanti, and Kelly Price will perform an all-star tribute on July 4 to honor the singer. Vandross has been unconscious in the intensive care unit of the Weill Cornell Medical Center of New York-Presbyterian Hospital ever since suffering a stroke in his Manhattan apartment on April 16. The singer's fifteenth album, Dance With My Father, was released on Tuesday (June 10). Previously announced performers--P. Diddy, Babyface, New Edition, Carl Thomas, and Loon--will NOT appear at the Essence Music Festival, but LL Cool J, Mo'Nique, and the Gap Band have been added. Some of the other artists slated to perform during the festival are: Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu, Jamie Foxx, Yolanda Adams, Chaka Khan, Jaheim, Maze, Anita Baker, Smokey Robinson, Heather Headley, Keith Sweat, Dianne Reeves, Third World, Amel Larrieux, Jaguar Wright, Dwele, Biz Markie & Doug E. Fresh, S.O.S Band, Kindred, Will Downing, and Nappy Roots.
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Keith Sweat
R&B singers Gerald Levert, Keith Sweat, and Johnny Gill have reunited after six years to release a follow-up to the trio's platinum 1997 album, Levert-Sweat-Gill.The new set, LSG-2, is scheduled for release on June 24 and features the production of Mike City, Stephen Russell, and Darrell "Delite" Allamby. The first single from the set is "Just Friends" featuring Loon.
In related news, Gill has also recorded new material with New Edition. The group is now signed to Sean "P. Diddy" Combs's Bad Boy Entertainment and is slated to release a new album this year in conjunction with its 20th anniversary.
Albums en écoute
-Didn't See Me Coming 24 Nov 2000
-Get Up On It - 24 juin 1994
-Levert, Sweat, Gill LSG-7 Nov 1997
-I'll Give All My Love To You 25/6/90
-Keith Sweat -13 juin 1996
-Rebirth -27 Aout 2002
-Still In The Game-17 Sept 1998
-Just A Touch[Import]
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