Billboard Top Albums
Justin Bieber (AP photo)
Billboard Top Albums (week of April 14)
1. My World 2.0 by Usher – 102,000 copies
2. Raymond v. Raymond by Usher – 92,000 copies
3. Slash by Slash – 60,000 copies
4. Need You Now by Lady Antebellum – 57,000 copies
5. NOW volume 33 by Various Artists – 53,000 copies
6. Still Standing by Monica 38,000 copies
7. The Fame by Lady Gaga – 32,000 copies
8. My World by Justin Bieber – 30,000 copies
9. New Amerykah Part Two by Erykah Badu – less than 30,000 copies
10. Stickey & Sweet Tour by Madonna – 28,000 copies
Toni Braxton music video: Make My Heart
Toni Braxton music video: Make My Heart
Drake new music video: Over
Drake new music video: Over
Essence Music Festival lineup
R&B music lovers can attend the three-day Essence Music Festival during the Fourth of July weekend at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans.
The annual event is considered the biggest soul music concert of the year. Janet Jackson, Alicia Keys and Mary J. Blige will headline the event, and more than 35 musicians will perform.
The festival will be July 2-4. A list of the Essence Music Festival performers is posted below. To purchase tickets, go to www.essencemusicfestival.com.
- Janet Jackson
- Mary J. Blige
- Alicia Keys
- Earth, Wind & Fire
- Keri Hilson
- Gladys Hilson
- Gladys Knight
- LL Cool J
- Monica
- Raphael Saadiq
- Jill Scott
- Trey Songz
- Charlie Wilson
- DJ Soul Sister
- Arrested Development
- Big Sam’s Funky Nation
- Chrisette Michele
- Estelle
- De La Soul
- Hot 8 Brass Band
- Irma Thomas
- Irvin Mayfield and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra
- Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk
- Joe
- Kermit Ruffins and the Barbecue Swingers
- Lalah Hathaway
- Laura Izibor
- Leo Jackson and the Melody Clouds
- Little Freddie King
- Mary Mary
- Melanie Fiona
- Mint Condition
- Rebirth Brass Band
- Sam & Ruby
- Shamarr Allen and the Underdawgs
- Soul Rebels Brass Band
- War
Green Day music video: Last of the American Girls
Green Day music video: Last of the American Girls
Songwriter defends Christina Aguilera against Lady Gaga comparisons
Several music critics and bloggers (myself included) have been making comparisons between pop singers Christina Aguilera and Lady Gaga.
When I posted a blog comparing the two singers, many readers were irritated because I questioned whether Christina can keep up with Lady Gaga. (Click here to read what I said, and what the readers said).
Apparently, Christina’s songwriter is fed up with everyone comparing Christina and Lady Gaga. In an interview with Vibe magazine, songwriter Claude Kelly said:
“That’s crap to me…it’s really bull****. Christina Aguilera has been around for over 10 years now. As far as pop goes, she is the defining voice of today’s music. She can do things with her voice that I haven’t heard anybody else do. She’s constantly reinventing herself. As fans, as soon as an album is done and an artist disappears for a while, we tend to write them off as over or no longer relevant.”
“In the time that she has been gone, Gaga, who I know pretty well, has had an unbelievable run. Christina has an album that’s going to slap people in the face. The music still has her signature, big note vocals and emotions, but the sound is definitely more aggressive, more futuristic than the last album.”
Christina’s new album “Bionic” will be in stores June 8.
Billboard Hot 100 (top 50 songs)
Rihanna (AP photo)
Billboard Hot 100 (top 50 songs)
- Rude Boy by Rihanna
- Nothin’ On You by B.o.B and Bruno Mars
- Hey, Soul Sister by Train
- Need You Now by Lady Antebellum
- Telephone by Lady Gaga and Beyonce
- Break Your Heart by Taio Cruz and Ludacris
- Imma Be by The Black Eyed Peas
- Baby by Justin Bieber and Ludacris
- In My Head by Jason Derulo
- BedRock Young Money and Lloyd
- Say Aah by Trey Songz and Fabolous
- Tik Tok by Ke$ha
- Carry Out by Timbaland and Justin Timberlake
- OMG by Usher and Will.I.Am
- Breakeven by The Script
- When I Look At You by Miley Cyrus
- Bad Romance by Lady Gaga
- My Chick Bad by Ludacris and Nicki Minaj
- All The Right Moves by OneRepublic
- How Low by Ludacris
- Young Forever by Jay-Z and Mr. Hudson
- Blah Blah Blah by Ke$ha and 3OH!3
- Whataya Want From Me by Adam Lambert
- Over by Drake
- Hey Daddy (Daddy’s Home) by Usher and Plies
- Live Like We’re Dying by Kris Allen
- Say Something by Timbaland and Drake
- According To You by Orianthi
- I Made It by Kevin Rudolf, Birdman, Jay Sean and Lil Wayne
- Haven’t Met You Yet by Michael Buble
- Sexy Chick by David Guetta and Akon
- Your Love Is My Drug by Ke$ha
- Eenie Meenie by Sean Kingston and Justin Bieber
- Hello Good Morning by Diddy, Dirty Money and T.I.
- American Honey by Lady Antebellum
- I Gotta Feeling by The Black Eyed Peas
- Tie Me Down by New Boyz and Ray J
- Today Was A Fairytale by Taylor Swift
- Replay by Iyaz
- Naturally by Selena Gomez and The Scene
- Heartbreak Warfare by John Mayer
- Solo by Iyaz
- Lil Freak by Usher and Nicki Minaj
- Highway 20 Ride by Zac Brown Band
- I’m Awesome by Spose
- Life After You by Daughtry
- Empire State Of Mind by Jay-Z, Kanye West and Rihanna
- Down by Jay Sean and Lil Wayne
- Gimmie That Girl by Joe Nichols
- You Belong To Me by Taylor Swift
Whitney Houston says she is feeling great
(AP photo)
Pop music superstar Whitney Houston announced she is postponing some concerts on her European tour.
Tabloids and celebrity magazines immediately speculated and printed that she is having drug-related health issues again, and that’s why she postponed those shows.
Houston responded to those allegation during an interview with People magazine. She said
“I’m feeling great. I’m just ready to move on and continue my world tour. At this point, I just don’t respond. I don’t even read it. My health is terrific, but this is a time when I get a lot of allergies.”
I hope Whitney really is fine. I’ve seen some concert footage on YouTube from her recent shows, and she doesn’t look or sound too good whatsoever.
Hopefully, she will bounce back.
Justin Bieber music video: Never Let Go
Justin Bieber music video: Never Let Go
Adam Lambert to mentor on American Idol
Adam Lambert (AP photo)
Adam Lambert will be the next celebrity to serve as a mentor to the contestants on “American Idol.”
The rock singer will be the mentor on the April 13 episode.
Lambert placed second on the 2009 season of “American Idol.” He was edged out by Kris Allen.
Billboard Top Albums
Billboard Top Albums (week of April 7)
1. Raymond v. Raymond by Usher (329,000 copies)
2. My World 2.0 by Justin Bieber (291,000 copies)
3. NOW Volume 33 by Various Artists (123,000 copies)
4. New Amerykah Part Two by Erykah Badu (110,000 copies)
5. Need You Now by Lady Antebellum (87,000 copies)
6. Still Standing by Monica (81,000 copies)
7. Freight Train by Alan Jackson (72,000 copies)
8. My World by Justin Bieber (63,000 copies)
9. The Fame by Lady Gaga (49,000 copies)
10. The E.N.D. by Black Eyed Peas – 43,000 copies
Rihanna tour dates
Rihanna is going on tour to support her latest album titled “Rated R.” The summer tour will kick off July 2 in Seattle, and it will conclude Aug. 25 in Chicago.
Rihanna’s opening act was supposed to be rapper Nicki Minaj. But Minaj decided to drop out of the tour so she can focus on her creating her debut album.
The tour will now feature Rihanna and pop singer Ke$ha.
The tour dates are posted below.
- Jul 02 Seattle White River Amphitheatre
- Jul 04 Vancouver General Motors Place
- Jul 06 Calgary Pengrowth Saddeldome
- Jul 09 Sacramento ARCO Arena
- Jul 10 Mountain View Shoreline Amphitheatre at Mountain View
- Jul 14 Albuquerque Hard Rock Casino Albuquerque presents The Pavilion
- Jul 15 Denver Comfort Dental Amphitheatre
- Jul 17 Las Vegas Mandalay Bay Events Center
- Jul 21 Los Angeles Staples Center
- Jul 22 Phoenix Cricket Wireless Pavilion
- Jul 28 Atlanta Philips Arena
- Jul 30 Tampa Ford Amphitheatre
- Jul 31 Miami American Airlines Center
- Aug 03 Indianapolis Verizon Wireless Music Center
- Aug 05 Toronto Molson Canadian Amphitheatre
- Aug 07 Montreal Bell Centre
- Aug 08 Boston Comcast Center
- Aug 11 Uncasville Mohegan Sun Arena
- Aug 12 New York Madison Square Garden
- Aug 15 Wantagh Nikon at Jones Beach Theater
- Aug 18 Camden Susquehanna Bank Center
- Aug 20 Bristow Jiffy Lube Live
- Aug 21 Hershey Hersheypark Stadium
- Aug 22 Detroit DTE Energy Music Theatre
- Aug 25 Chicago United Center
Rihanna will be on American Idol
R&B singer Rihanna will be the latest celebrity to make a stop on “American Idol.”
On Wednesday’s episode (April 7), Rihanna will perform her new song titled “Te Amo.”
Meanwhile, on Tuesday’s episode, the contestants will perform songs by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Rihanna will not be serving as the mentor.
Usher’s “OMG” music video
Usher’s “OMG” music video
Janet Jackson new music video: Nothing
Janet Jackson new music video: “Nothing”
From the “Why Did I Get Married Too” soundtrack
Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken tour dates
Clay Aiken, left, and Ruben Studdard during the 2003 finale of "American Idol." (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken were competitors during season two of “American Idol” in 2003.
Studdard and Clay competed for “American Idol” title when both of them advanced to the finale. Studdard beat Clay for the title, but they are now teaming up for a joint tour.
The 17-city tour will kick off July 23 in North Carolina, and it will conclude Aug. 14 in Mississippi. The tour schedule is posted below.
- Fri., July 23: Biltmore Estates, Asheville, N.C.
- Sat., July 24: Florida Theater, Jacksonville, Fla.
- Sun. Jul. 25: King Center for Arts, Melbourne, Fla.
- Mon., July 26: Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater, Fla.
- Thurs., July 29: Casino—Mountain View Plaza, Snoqualmie, Wash.
- Sat., July 31: Silver Legacy Casino, Reno, Nev.
- Sun., Aug. 1: Club Nokia, Los Angeles, Calif.
- Tues., Aug. 3: Potowanami Casino, Milwaukee, Wisc.
- Thurs., Aug. 5: Caesar’s Windsor, Ontario
- Fri. Aug. 6: Chautauqua Institution Amphitheatre, Chautauqua, N.Y.
- Sat., Aug. 7: MGM Grand Foxwoods, Mashantucket, Conn.
- Sun., Aug. 8: American Music Theater, Lancaster, Penn.
- Tues., Aug. 10: HB Casino, Hampton Beach, N.H.
- Wed., Aug. 11: Hammerstein Ballroom, New York, N.Y.
- Fri., Aug. 13: Horseshoe, Hammond, Ind.
- Sat., Aug. 14: Beau Rivage, Biloxi, Miss
Can Christina Aguilera keep up with Lady Gaga?
(AP photo by Chris Pizzello)
Pop singer Christina Aguilera has come out of hiding and released a new song.
The new song titled “Not Myself Tonight” was released on her Web site and some radio stations added it their rotation shortly afterward.
The song is okay, but it’s definitely not going to be a number one hit. It’s not as catchy as other songs that are on the radio.
Aguilera is a talented singer with strong vocal ability. No one doubts her talent. Aguilera has been away from the music scene for a while because she took some time off to give birth to her child and to experience motherhood.
But while she was away, some major things happened in the music industry.
A hurricane by the name of Lady Gaga swooped in to dominate the music scene during the past year-and-a-half.
Gaga also has a good voice, but she stands out because of her edginess, her wild wardrobe and her ability to push the envelope like she did with her controversial video titled “Telephone.”
If Aguilera wants to return to the top, she has to come with something stronger than “Not Myself Tonight.”
She also needs to do something to make herself stand out. Otherwise, the spotlight will continue to be on Gaga and Aguilera will fade into the background.
Aguilera’s new song is posted below. Her new album titled “Bionic” will be in stores June 8.
Billboard Hot 100 (Top 25 Songs)
Rihanna performed at the Kid's Choice Awards. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)
Billboard Hot 100 (top 25 songs)
- Rude Boy by Rihanna
- Nothin’ On You by B.o.B and Bruno Mars
- Hey, Soul Sister by Train
- Need You Now by Lady Antebellum
- Telephone by Lady Gaga and Beyonce
- Break Your Heart by Taio Cruz and Ludacris
- Imma Be by Black Eyed Peas
- Baby by Justin Bieber and Ludacris
- BedRock by Young Money and Lloyd
- Tik Tok by Ke$ha
- In My Head by Jason Derulo
- Carry Out by Timbaland and Justin Timberlake
- Say Aah by Trey Songz and Fabolous
- Bad Romane by Lady Gaga
- Breakeven by The Script
- Blah Blah Blah by Ke$ha and 3OH!3
- How Low by Ludacris
- All The Right Moves by OneRepublic
- According To You by Orianthi
- Whataya Want From Me by Adam Lambert
- My Chick Bad by Ludacris and Nicki Minaj
- Over by Drake
- Live Like We’re Dyng by Kris Allen
- Sexy Chick by David Guetta and Akon
- When I Look At You by Miley Cyrus
Billboard Top Albums
Billboard Top Albums (week of March 31)
1. My World 2.0 by Justin Bieber (283,000 copies)
2. Still Standing by Monica (184,000 copies)
3. Now That’s What I Call Music vol. 33 by Various Artists (135,000 copies)
4. Need You Now by Lady Antebellum (78,000 copies)
5. My World by Justin Bieber (50,000 copies)
6. Volume Two by She & Him (47,000 copies)
7. Battle of the Sexes by Ludacris – 45,000 copies
8. The Fame by Lady Gaga – 41,000 copies
9. Here I Am by Marvin Sapp – 39,000 copies
10. The E.N.D. by Black Eyed Peas – 34,000 copies
Usher blog day
R&B singer Usher released his new album today (March 30) titled “Raymond v. Raymond.” In recognition of Usher’s album release, I’m posting several Usher-related blogs today.
So, be sure to check back here frequently throughout the day.
(AP photo)
Usher’s television appearances
(AP photo)
To promote his new album “Raymond v. Raymond,” R&B singer Usher is making several television appearances this week.
He will be a mentor on “American Idol” on March 30, and he will perform on the show April 1. Meanwhile, he will appear on Ellen DeGeneres’ show April 1 and “Lopez Tonight” on April 2.
Also, the April 7 episode of “E! True Hollywood Story” will focus on the life and career of Usher.
Usher performs “There Goes My Baby” on Good Morning America
Usher performs new song “There Goes My Baby” on Good Morning America.
Usher’s interview on Good Morning America
R&B singer Usher gave an interview on “Good Morning America” on Monday (March 29) to promote his new album titled “Raymond v. Raymond.”
During the interview, he discusses his divorce, why his mother is no longer his manager, his music, his protege Justin Bieber and the death of his mentor Michael Jackson.
The interview is posted in the video clip below.
Poll: What is your favorite Usher album?
Usher’s new videos: Hey Daddy (Daddy’s Home) and Lil Freak
Usher’s new video: Hey Daddy (Daddy’s Home) featuring Plies
Usher’s new video: Lil Freak
