Janet Jackson new music video: Make Me
Billboard Top 10 albums (week of Nov. 18)
Billboard Top 10 Albums (week of Nov. 18)
1. The Circle by Bon Jovi – 163,000 copies
2. My Christmas by Andrea Bocelli – 136,000 copies
3. Play On by Carrie Underwood – 128,000 copies
4. This Is It by Michael Jackson – 117,000 copies
5. Fearless by Taylor Swift – 91,000 copies
6. NOW 32 by Various Artists – 68,000 copies
7. Crazy Love by Michael Buble – 56,000 copies
8. Memento Mori by Flyleaf – 56,000 copies
9. Glee soundtrack by Various Artists – 56,000 copies
10. New Moon soundtrack – 53,000 copies
American Idol winner Kris Allen overshadowed by Adam Lambert
American Idol winner Kris Allen during a photo shoot in West Hollwood. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond)
American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert during the premiere of Michael Jackson's movie "This Is It." (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)
The 2009 ”American Idol” champion Kris Allen released his self-titled debut album today (Nov. 17). Many people might not have known he was even releasing an album.
Although Allen was victorious on “American Idol” earlier this year, he didn’t receive a substantial amount of media attention after his win. It wasn’t because he lacked talent. It was because he lacked shock value. Allen is plain, average and simple.
Which explains why he has been overshadowed by Adam Lambert, the “American Idol” runner-up. Lambert appears to be a magnet for the camera.
As a result, numerous magazines were racing to put him on the cover and land interviews with him. Meanwhile, Allen was an after thought. Entertainment journalists ignored him and focused on Lambert because he was more shocking.
Even pop star Lady Gaga came knocking on Lambert’s door wanting to collaborate with him on new music.
I’ll admit, Allen didn’t have the strongest vocals on the show. But the majority of “American Idol” voters chose Allen as their champion, and he deserves to receive some media attention since he was declared the winner.
Allen’s album is in stores now. Lambert’s album “For Your Entertainment” will be released Nov. 23.
Kanye West performs at Beyonce concert
Kanye West signing autographs in Los Angeles in 2007. (AP Photo/Dan Steinberg)
Kanye West made a rare public appearance during the weekend. The scandalous rapper appeared on stage Saturday at the O2 Arena in London during Beyonce’s concert.
West is featured on the remix version of Beyonce’s song titled “Ego,” and he performed his verse during the show. No one booed during West’s performance, according to MTV News.
Maybe that’s a sign people are finally starting to get over that incident with Taylor Swift. The West’s performance is posted below in the sketchy video.
Beyonce and Lady Gaga new music video: Video Phone
LeToya Leckutt & Ludacris new music video: Regret
Faith Hill, Tim McGraw defend Taylor Swift win
Faith Hill and Tim McGraw present Taylor Swift with the entertainer of the year award at the CMA's. (AP photo by Mark Humphrey)
Country singer Wynonna Judd issued an apology to Taylor Swift. Earlier this week (Nov. 12), Judd told USA Today that Swift’s success is “too much of a good thing.” Click here to read her full comment.
Swift made history by becoming the youngest person to win the entertainer of the year award at the CMA’s.
Judd posted this comment on her Web site. “I understand that my comment about Taylor Swift’s Entertainer of the Year nomination came across as a negative statement. My intent was not to take anything away from her talent and contributions to the country music industry…all of which are truly unprecedented for an artist of ANY age. Taylor is a beautiful, hard working young woman that deserves the success she has had and I support her as an artist and as a woman in the business.”
Now, country couple Faith Hill and Tim McGraw are defending Swift’s win.
Hill told People magazine, “I think she worked her tail off the last couple of years, and she deserves to win.”
McGraw told the magazine “I’ve been doing this a long time and she’s got a better head on her shoulders than I do, so I don’t know how anybody could complain about that.”
Country singer Randy Travis also weighed in on the topic. Travis told the magazine, “as a writer, she is a phenomenal talent. When you look at the body of work that she has written at the age when she came into this business, it’s remarkable. It really is. But do I think that entertainer of the year might have been a little early? In my opinion, yes, for whatever that’s worth.”
Personally, I don’t understand why some people are against Swift winning the top awards at a young age. If you don’t think she should win because you don’t like her music, that’s fine.
But I don’t think her age should be an issue. Outside of the country music industry, teenage singers frequently win top awards.
When Britney Spears was a teenager, she dominated the award shows. Someone’s age shouldn’t be a factor.
Wynonna Judd says Taylor Swift’s success happening too soon
(AP Photo/Dan Steinberg)
Kanye West isn’t the only entertainer who feels Taylor Swift shouldn’t win the top awards. Country singer Wynonna Judd feels Swift has too much success too soon.
On the red carpet before the Country Music Awards began, when Judd was asked what advice she would give Swift, she replied “You want my honest comment? It’s too much too soon. Time is God’s way of keeping everything from happening at once. It’s just too much of a good thing too soon. My thing is, being a home-school mom, I want kids to earn it, and I think some time cause mom and I rode in a car for the first year of our career to visit radio stations. There was a making of the star, there was a rising up, and the fans went with us. Now it’s over coffee breaks, the success, almost. You have to play catch up. It’s like the girl who wins an Oscar and she’s under 20. What do you do from here?” (according to USA Today).
To be fair, Judd’s comments were made BEFORE 19-year-old Swift won the top award for entetainer of the year. But based on her comments, I think it’s safe to say Judd doesn’t think Swift should have won that award this soon.
Judd never snatched a microphone from Swift, (Like Kanye did) but I’m curious to see if there will be any backlash against Judd for that comment.
Billboard top 25 songs
Owl City performed in Minnesota (AP Photo/Craig Lassig)
Billboard Top 25 songs (week of Nov. 11)
1. Fireflies by Owl City
2. Empire State of Mind by Jay-Z, Alicia Keys
3. Whatcha Say by Jason DeRulo
4. Reply by Iyaz
5. Down by Jay Sean, Lil Wayne
6. Party in the U.S.A. by Miley Cyrus
7. Paparazzi by Lady Gaga
8. Three by Britney Spears
9. Russian Roulette by Rihanna
10. Sweet Dream by Beyonce
11. Run This Town by Jay-Z, Rihanna, Kanye West
12. Sexy Chick by David Guetta, Akon
13. You Belong To Me by Taylor Swift
14. Tik Tok by Kesha
15. Meet Me Halfway by The Black Eyed Peas
16. Forever by Drake, Kanye West, Lil Wayne, Eminem
17. I Gotta Feeling by The Black Eyed Peas
18. Bad Romance by Lady Gaga
19. Already Gone by Kelly Clarkson
20. Use Somebody by Kings of Leon
21. Cowboy Casanova by Carrie Underwood
22. Need You Now by Lady Antebellum
23. I Can Transform Ya by Chris Brown
24. One Time by Justin Beiber
25. Fallin’ For You by Colbie Caillat
Highlights from the CMA’s
Taylor Swift gets emotional as she accepts the entertainer of the year award (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
The Country Music Association Awards (CMA) was held Wednesday night in Nashville. Taylor Swift was the biggest winner (no surprise there).
The full Associated Press story is posted below via NewsOK.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Darius Rucker became the first black singer to win new artist of the year at the Country Music Association Awards, joining Charley Pride as the only African-American to win a major individual award, while Taylor Swift won two awards, including album of the year.
Rucker, whose first country album, “Learn to Live,” sold more than 1 million copies, took the stage Wednesday night to wild cheers from the crowd and shouted, “What a year!”
“First of all, to the fans, thank y’all for accepting me,” the jubilant Rucker said. “And I think most importantly, to country radio, you took a chance on a pop singer from Charleston, S.C. Thank you so much for that!”
Swift, who could become the youngest performer to win entertainer of the year, thanked the fans for their support of “Fearless,” the top-selling album of the year. She also won video of the year for “Love Story.”
“You guys, this album is my diary and so to all the people who voted for me for this is a thank you for saying you love my diary because that’s the nicest compliment,” Swift told the audience.
Lady Antebellum won two awards, emerging as the early leader with two trophies after capturing the vocal group and single of the year categories. The win in vocal group ended Rascal Flatts’ six-year dominance in that category.
“Rascal Flatts, you’ve inspired us for such a long time,” Lady Antebellum singer Charles Kelly said. “Thank you so much for letting us be up here.”
Jamey Johnson, along with James Otto and Lee Thomas Miller, won song of the year for “In Color.”
“I never thought you guys would even let me come to things like this,” Johnson, the country outlaw with the scruffy beard, said jokingly as the audience at the Sommet Center laughed.
The biggest question on the red carpet Wednesday evening was whether Swift – this year’s top-selling music artist in all genres outside of Michael Jackson – can end Kenny Chesney’s reign and become the first female solo artist to win the category since 1999.
“I think that you can’t help but talk about Taylor Swift when you talk about modern country music,” Otto said. “People talk about pop country or country pop. Whatever brings more fans to country music I’m all for.”
Swift was up four CMA awards with Zac Brown, George Strait and Johnson. Brad Paisley was the leading nominee, up for the biggest awards of the evening, including entertainer, male vocalist and album of the year. He won event of the year for the duet “Start a Band” with Keith Urban, up for five awards.
The entertainer of the year category has been fairly predictable the last five years, with Chesney winning four out of five times. But there seems to be plenty of chatter around Swift, who can also end Carrie Underwood’s streak. Swift is competing with her for female vocalist of the year, an award that Underwood has won three straight years.
While there seemed to be a groundswell of support for Swift, longtime watchers wonder whether she’ll actually win entertainer of the year.
“Just watching the awards for so many years, I would be surprised if Taylor wins,” Vince Gill said as he made his way up the red carpet with Daughtry. “I know people are probably speculating it’s too early to win. But that’s the beauty of having the ability to vote. You can’t got wrong with any of them.”
Swift was a favorite with the fans, though, kicking off the show with a playful version of her song, “Forever & Again,” throwing a chair off a raised podium, sliding down a poll and dropping to her knees to the delighted cheers of the crowd.
It was the Zac Brown Band that set the room on fire, though, with their high-rev version of Charlie Daniels’ “The Devil Went Down to Georgia.” The fan favorite had the crowd screaming throughout the performance.
Brooks & Dunn, who announced their split earlier this year, teamed with ZZ Top guitarist Billy Gibbons on a scorching version of “Honky Tonk Stomp” in their last performance as a duo at the awards.
Co-hosts Paisley and Underwood opened the show with a few new songs of their own, skewering Kanye West for his interruption of Swift’s MTV Video Music Awards win – “Mama don’t let your babies grow up to be Kanye” – and lamenting the break up of Brooks & Dunn.
Later in the show, telecast on ABC, country novelty singer Little Jimmy Dickens interrupted Paisley after Underwood told him that “Welcome to the Future” was one her favorite videos.
“Excuse me sir, excuse me. I’ll let you finish later. Now, Brad Paisley, I know you had a nice video, but … Taylor Swift made the best video in her time. You go girl,” the diminutive Dickens said, goofing on West, who famously took the stage during Swift’s acceptance speech to say that Beyonce deserved Swift’s prize.
Billboard Top 10 Albums (Nov. 11)
Billboard Top 10 Albums (week of Nov. 11)
1. Play On by Carrie Underwood – 318,000 copies
2. This Is It by Michael Jackson – 196,000 copies
3. My Christmas by Andrea Bocelli – 149,000 copies
4. Glee Soundtrack by Various Artists – 113,000 copies
5. NOW volume 32 by Various Artists – 102,000 copies
6. Fearless by Taylor Swift – 70,000 copies
7. Raditude by Weezer – 66,000 copies
8. Crazy Love by Michael Buble – more than 59,000 copies
9. If On A Winter’s Night by Sting – 59,000 copies
10. New Moon Soundtrack by Various Artists – 52,000 copies
Lady Gaga new music video: Bad Romance
Celebrity briefs (Nov. 8)
The 2009 "American Idol" winner Kris Allen
–After six months of going through the legal system, Usher’s divorce from Tameka Foster Raymond was finalized this week.
–Susan Boyle will perform next week on “Dancing With The Stars.”
–Actor Dennis Hopper was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
–”American Idol” champion Kris Allen’s new video premiered this week. Click here to watch it.
–John Mayer recorded a duet with Taylor Swift. The song “Half of my Heart” will appear on his upcoming album “Battle Studies.”
–Dolly Parton, Kid Rock, Charlie Daniels and Ernest Tubb will be inducted to the Music City Walk of Fame Nov. 8 in Nashville.
–Lady Gaga will perform her new song “Bad Romance” Nov. 16 during an episode of the tv show “Gossip Girl.”
–During the 2009 MTV Europe Music Awards this week, Beyonce thanked husband Jay-Z for putting a ring on it. This is a big deal because its the first time they have shown verbal affection toward each other in front of the cameras. From day one they’ve made a vow to refrain from discussing their relationship publicly.
Kris Allen new music video: Live Like We’re Dying
Mariah Carey New Year’s Eve concert
Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon arrived at the premiere of her new film titled "Precious." ((AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Unlike many celebrities, Mariah Carey won’t be ringing in the new year sipping on crystal or Belvedere vodka.
Instead, she will be performing a show for her fans. Carey will host a concert the night of New Year’s Eve at Madison Square Garden.
Carey made the announcement on her Web site. Tickets will go on sale Nov. 9 for members of her fan club and Nov. 14 for the general public.
Carey also recently completed filming a music video for her new song titled “H.A.T.U.” The song appears on her album “Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel.”
Jay-Z announces additional tour dates
Jay-Z performed during a music festival in New Jersey (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)
Jay-Z announced new tour dates for the second leg of his North American tour. The second leg begins Feb. 22 in Houston and concludes March 26 in Los Angeles.
Young Jeezy will be the opening act. Tickets go on sale Nov. 13. The tour schedule for the second leg is posted below.
Feb. 22 Houston @ Toyota Center
Feb. 23 Dallas @ American Airlines Center
Feb. 25 New Orleans @ New Orleans Arena
Feb. 27 Atlanta @ Philips Arena
Feb. 28 Greensboro, North Carolina @ Greensboro Coliseum Complex
March 3 Washington, DC @ Verizon Center
March 7 Norfolk, Virginia @ Scope Arena
March 11 Boston @ TD Garden
March 16 Pittsburgh @ Mellon Arena
March 19 St. Louis @ Scottrade Center
March 20 Indianapolis @ Conseco Fieldhouse
March 22 Denver @ Pepsi Center
March 24 San Jose, California @ HP Pavilion
March 26 Los Angeles @ Staples Center
Highlights from the Latin Grammy’s
Alicia Keys and Alejandro Sans performed at the Latin Grammy's (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)
The 10th annual Latin Grammy awards were held Thursday in Las Vegas. Highlights from the show are posted in the Associated Press story below.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Only a few minutes into the Latin Grammys awards show, Puerto Rican duo Calle 13 already led the competition with four gold gramophones Thursday night in Las Vegas.
The reggaeton group snapped up both best urban album for the politically charged “Los de Atras Vienen Conmigo” and best alternative song, for “No Hay Nadie Como Tu,” their lyrically complex collaboration with Mexico City rockers Cafe Tacvba.
The half brothers, Rene Perez, who is known as “Residente,” and Eduardo Cabra, or “Visitante,” posed for cameras on the carpet with their mother and Panamanian salsa legend Ruben Blades, who collaborated with them on “La Perla,” an ode to a seaside slum in San Juan.
"Desperate Housewives" star Eva Longoria Parker at the Latin Grammy's. (AP Photo/Eric Jamison)
While women in sequined gowns rubbed shoulders with Mexican regional groups in identical suits and cowboy hats on the carpet, Residente ran past the bleachers high-fiving the fans and signed autographs.
Most of the 49 awards in a variety of categories befitting the diverse musical traditions of the Americas, including best albums in Christian, grupero and Brazilian sertaneja music, were handed out during a pre-show ceremony.
“To all the people who make music in this moment of independent music, to hell with record labels! This is the moment for those of us who make real music,” Residente said after receiving the award for best alternative song.
Later, during the live telecast, the outspoken rapper dedicated the Latin Grammy for record of the year to government workers who lost their jobs in Puerto Rico.
The Latin Recording Academy honored Mexico’s prolific singer-songwriter Juan Gabriel with its person of the year award.
“For Mexico!” said the “Divo of Juarez,” as he kissed his statuette.
Mexican rock band Jaguares won for best rock album by a duo or group for “45″ and lead singer Saul Hernandez won best rock song for “Entre tus Jardines.”
Hernandez composed the song for his wife, he said, because “Men aren’t always right.”
Mercedes Sosa, who died in October, won in the folklore category for her album of duets, “Cantora 1.” Her longtime pianist and musical director, Popi Spatocco, accepted the award on her behalf.
Chucho and Bebo Valdes, father and son from Cuba, won best jazz album for “Juntos para Siempre.”
Performances from the MTV Europe Music Awards
Beyonce
Jay-Z
U2 and Jay-Z
Shakira
Leona Lewis
Green Day
Katy Perry
Tokio Hotel
Foo Fighters
Photo gallery of the MTV Europe Music Awards
Janet Jackson to discuss Michael’s death in tv interview
Janet Jackson at the MTV Video Music Awards during a tribute performance to Michael Jackson (AP Photo by Jason DeCrow)
Janet Jackson has kept a low profile since the death of her brother Michael Jackson.
Now, she’s ready to talk in front of the cameras. Janet will appear on ABC for a one-hour interview with journalist Robin Roberts. The interview will air Nov. 18, the network announced.
Janet will promote her upcoming greatest hits album, and she will answer questions about Michael.
The two-disc greatest hits package will be in stores Nov. 17, and it will feature Janet’s biggest hits throughout her career and a few new songs.
Janet is also set to reprise her role as Patricia Agnew in the Tyler Perry Film “Why Did I Get Married Too.” The movie will be in theaters April 2.
Billboard top 25 songs
Billboard top 25 songs (week of Nov. 4)
1. Whatcha Say by Jason DeRulo
2. Fireflies by Owl City
3. Empire State of Mind by Jay-Z, Alicia Keys
4. Down by Jay Sean, Lil Wayne
5. Party in the U.S.A. by Miley Cyrus
6. Paparazzi by Lady Gaga
7. Run This Town by Jay-Z, Rihanna, Kanye West
8. Three by Britney Spears
9. Bad Romance by Lady Gaga
10. Jump The Fall by Taylor Swift
11. Sweet Dreams by Beyonce
12. Meet Me Halfway by Black Eyed Peas
13. Replay by Iyaz
14. You Belong To Me by Taylor Swift
15. I Gotta Feeling by Black Eyed Peas
16. Forever by Drake, Kanye West, Lil Wayne, Eminem
17. Tik Tok by Kesha
18. Sexy Chick by David Guetta, Akon
19. Untouchable by Taylor Swift
20. Use Somebody by Kings of Leon
21. Already Gone by Kelly Clarkson
22. The Other Side of the Door by Taylor Swift
23. Need You Now by Lady Antebellum
24. I Can Transform Ya by Chris Brown, Lil Wayne, Swizz Beatz
25. One Time by Justin Bieber
Billboard Top 10 Albums
A Michael Jackson impersonator poses in front of "This Is It" movie posters in South Korea (AP Photo by Ahn Young-joon)
Billboard Top 10 Albums (week of Nov. 4)
1. This Is It by Michael Jackson – 373,000 copies
2. Full Circle by Creed – 110,000 copies
3. Fearless by Taylor Swift – 109,000 copies
4. Soulbook by Rod Stewart – 84,000 copies
5. Night Castle by Trans-Siberian Orchestra
6. If On A Winter’s Night by Sting – 80,000 copies
7. Crazy Love by Michael Buble – 71,000 copies
8. New Moon Soundtrack by Various Artists – 69,000 copies
9. Southern Voice by Tim McGraw – 59,000 copies
10. The Blueprint 3 by Jay-Z – 41,000 copies
Beyonce’s new DVD, duet with Lady Gaga, TV special
Beyonce is probably the hardest working woman in the music industry.
During the past year-and-a-half, she’s promoted her latest CD, filmed seven music videos, embarked on a world tour, starred in a movie and made countless television appearances around the world.
You would think she needed a vacation right? Not so. She still has a host of projects on her plate before the year ends.
Beyonce is releasing a DVD on Nov. 23 titled “I Am…Yours” An Intimate Performance at Wynn Las Vegas.” Also, on Nov. 23, the “I Am…Sasha Fierce: Deluxe Edition” will be in stores.
The deluxe edition features two new songs including “Video Phone,” which is a duet with Lady Gaga. The video will be released Thursday (Nov. 5).
She also has a Thanksgiving special that will air Nov. 26 on ABC.
