NICKI ANNOUNCES RELEASE DATE FOR DEBUT ALBUM
After appearing as a feature on multiple songs for numerous artists, Nicki Minaj is prepared to stand alone on her untitled debut album. The leading lady of Young Money just announced on Twitter that her upcoming disc will be
available on November 23rd. Led by her number one single “Your Love,” the project will receive contributions from mega producer Swizz Beatz. The hitmaker recently told MTV News, “Nicki is an amazing writer. She wrote her
own choruses, and she’s doing some amazing things.” <WM>
* Nicki recently told MTV that she intends to introduce her alter ego, “Roman Zolanski,” on the project.
EMINEM NUMBER ONE ON DIGITAL SONGS CHART
Eminem’s “Love The Way You Lie” featuring Rihanna stays on top of the
Digital Songs chart for a second straight week with over 280-thosuand
downloads, according to Nielsen SoundScan figures. The biggest gainer on
the tally is Taio Cruz’s “Dynamite,” which shoots up seven spots to number
three, shifting over 189-thousand downloads. Kanye West scores the highest
new entry on the chart with “Power” bowing at number 14, selling 80-thosuand
copies. <JC>
THE DREAM GRABS NUMBER FOUR ON BILLBOARD
The Dream’s third studio album, Love King, debuted at the number four spot on the Billboard 200 chart. The disc, which is rumored to be his final effort, managed to sell over 58-thousand copies in its opening week. When we
last spoke with the “Makeup Bag” crooner, he told us why people gravitate towards his music. Be sure to pick up Love King in stores now. <WM>
* The R&B singer’s previous Love Vs Money effort opened with
151-thousand – almost three times the sales of Love King.
50 CENT DISSES DIDDY, DIRTY MONEY AND CASSIE?
Never the one to back down, 50 Cent continues to beef with Diddy. During a
recent interview, 50 took aim at Dirty Money and stated, “Puffy is a bitch.
He wanted to be the hot bitch in his group… You know how an ugly bitch
surrounds herself with pretty girls? Well, he is the pretty bitch with the
other girls around him.” The G-Unit leader also sent photos of Cassie with
another man just to piss Diddy off. This comes just weeks after the mogul
fired warning shots at Fif during the post show for the BET Awards, telling
him to watch what he says. <WM>
JANELLE MONAE ADDRESSES GAY RUMORS
Similar to Queen Latifah, Janelle Monae has become the latest artist whose
sexuality is being questioned. While promoting The ArchAndroid album, the
“Tightrope” singer told Rolling Stone, “The lesbian community has tried to
claim me. But I only date androids. Nothing like an android-they don’t cheat
on you.” She failed to give a clear answer to if she prefers men or women.
Visit RollingStone.com to learn why she wears certain clothes and wants to
inspire young women. <WM>
BUN B RECALLS DRAKE IN-STUDIO SESSION
If you’ve seen Bun B’s tracklisting for his upcoming Trill O.G. album, you probably noticed that Drake is the only artist who appears twice. We caught up with the rap legend to talk about what it was like recording with Drizzy
in studio. Here’s what he told us:
“He’s a good dude, man. He’s a great spirit and, he’s definitely an incredible artist. As a writer I already know he’s going to really come with some top notch lyrics. And, he knows that I’m going to come with some topnotch lyrics so we kind of step each other’s game up so to speak. That’s why it’s always good to be around each other because we bring the best out of each other, I think. It’s a good chemistry. It’s a good thing to have.“
Trill O.G. also received contributions from T-Pain, Young Jeezy, Trey Songz, Raekwon and production from The Neptunes. The LP is set to arrive on August 10th. <WM>
NICKI SPEAKS ON NUMBER ONE BILLBOARD SINGLE
After learning that her “Your Love” single topped Billboard’s Rap Chart, Nicki Minaj told MTV News she was shocked. The fem-cee revealed she wasn’t “planning on putting the song out at all” and was initially “upset” that it
leaked without being mixed or finished. Nevertheless, the song is the first to reach number one by a female lyricist since Missy Elliott’s “Work It” in 2002 – which spent 12 weeks at number one. Congrats! Fans can expect a video
for “Your Love” soon! <WM>
* FACT! The song samples “No More ‘I Love You’s'” by Annie Lennox.
That track hit number 23 on Billboard’s Hot 100 in 1995.
EMINEM TOPS BILLBOARD ALBUM CHART
Eminem’s Recovery tops the Billboard album chart for the second straight week, selling 313-thousand copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The album has sold over 1.1-million copies in the U-S in just two weeks. It marks the
first release to sell in excess of 300-thosuand for multiple weeks since Susan Boyle’s I Dreamed a Dream racked up five 300-thousand-plus weeks last December. Drake’s Thank Me Later remains at number two, selling
105-thousand copies. The Twilight Saga: Eclipse soundtrack leaps seven spots to number three, following the release of the highly anticipated film. The-Dream’s Love King bows at number four, the Now 34 compilation holds at
number five and Justin Bieber’s My World 2.0 climbs two spots to number six. 3Oh!3′s Streets of Gold debuts at number seven, Jack Johnson’s To The Sea falls one spot to number eight, Miley Cyrus’ Can’t Be Tamed drops six
notches to number nine and Lady Antebellum’s Need You Now rises two spots to number ten. <JC>
KANYE SUED FOR ALLEGEDLY STEALING “STRONGER”
We’ve just learned an aspiring artist named Vincent Peters has reportedly filed a lawsuit against Kanye West. The up- and-coming Virginia rapper claims ‘Ye stole “Stronger” from him back in 2006. Peters is seeking an
unspecified amount for damages and provides samples of the similarities between both songs. Visit BallerStatus.com to learn more. <WM>
DMX RELEASED FROM ARIZONA PRISON
After serving four months of his six-month sentence, Earl “DMX” Simmons has officially been released early from prison. The troubled rapper’s jail time stems from violating his probation on five different occasions. Within one
day of being released, DMX has already jumped on Busta Rhyme’s latest remix, “Stop The Party,” which also features Ghostface, T.I., and Cam’ron. <WM>
KELLY ROWLAND OPENS UP ON BREAST IMPLANTS
Kelly Rowland told the BBC that she’s happy about not rushing to have breast enhancement surgery. After wanting the procedure at 17 years old, the former Destiny’s Child singer says she is “really proud of myself that I waited.
That’s 10 years I waited. That’s 10 years I was like, ‘I hate this top. It does not fit. I hate this top.’” At this day and age, Kelly feels there is no reason to lie about going from an A-cup to B-cup. We’ve compiled a long list of celebrities who are also vocal about their implants. <WM>
CELEBRITIES ON THEIR IMPLANTS
Kourtney Kardashian was quite open about her breast implants in a recent interview with E!, stating, “I have had breast implants, but it’s so funny ’cause it’s not a secret, I couldn’t care less.”
Dolly Parton told StarPulse.com, “I’m in showbiz. I look at my boobs like they’re show horses or show dogs. You’ve got to keep them groomed.”
According to Exposay.com, Tara Reid responded to speculation of her many surgeries, “Everyone does it. I don’t know why I’m the one who gets so much attention?” Reid recently opened up about her botched breast implants and
warns young girls to wait before wanting it.
Hills star Heidi Montag told People.com, “It sounds crazy, but once you get a certain size boob, you always want bigger. Bigger is better.” Heidi recently had a controversial ten surgeries in one day, including a second
breast augmentation.
Holly Madison, Huge Heffner’s former girlfriend, got breast implants shortly after moving into the Playboy Mansion in 2001. According to UsMagazine.com, Madison justifies the enhancement by saying that “Plastic surgery made it
easier for me to get things I wanted in my career”.
Facts about Celebrity Implants compiled with the help of CelebrityCosmeticSurgery.Blogspot.com, StarPulse.com,
CIARA REMIXES SOULJA BOY’S “PRETTY BOY SWAG”
Ciara has hopped on the official remix to Soulja Boy’s “Pretty Boy Swag.” This is the second track the “Ride” singer has remixed; she previously laid verses down on Waka Flocka Flame’s “Hard in the Paint.” Head over to YouTube
now to hear Ci Ci’s “Pretty Boy (Girl) Swag.” Ciara’s forthcoming Basic Instinct album drops on August 17th. <WM>
And speaking of Ciara…
NEW MUSIC FROM CIARA!
Rap-Up.com has gotten a hold of a new song from Ciara called “Gimme That.” The hard-hitting, up-tempo track is said to be included on Ci Ci’s upcoming Basic Instinct album. Get ready to dance come August 17th! <WM>
Click here to hear Ciara’s “Gimmie That”
MELANIE FIONA READIES SOPHOMORE ALBUM
While recalling the success of “It Kills Me” off her debut album, Melanie Fiona told us why the record will still be played ten years from now. As she prepares her sophomore effort, titled The MF Life, the singer explained why she aims to provide songs that will speak to her fans. The disc will include a collaboration with John Legend and will be available sometime later this year. <WM>
SNOOP DOGG TO MARKET LANDY CONGNAC!
Snoop Dogg has been tapped to help promote an affordable and upscale liquor called Landy Cognac. Snoop teamed with W.J. Deutsch Sprits LLC to assist the brand in gaining a large urban following. With this new partnership, Snoop
is expected to make appearances at several LANDY events and also serve the premium Cognac at his industry parties. The rapper is the latest artist to land an endorsement in the alcohol industry, joining T.I., Young Jeezy,
Ludacris and others. <WM>
FANTASIA LOVES JAZMINE SULLIVAN!
Jazmine Sullivan’s new single, “Holding You Down (Going In Circles)” is an undeniable hit. After the heavily-sampled song surfaced last week, we asked fellow soul singer Fantasia if she’s heard it and what she thinks about the
GRAMMY-nominated singer.
“Jazmine Sullivan is my favorite! Somebody hit me up and I need to
get to a computer so I can hear it. I love her, she’s just talented, she’s
soul. She reminds me so much of myself, we can hang, we can kick it Jas.”
The two singers share a common friendship with Missy Elliot – perhaps this dream collaboration could come to fruition. <WM>
* Fantasia’s forthcoming Back To Me album will arrive on August 10th. In addition, fans can expect Sullivan’s untitled sophomore effort to land this fall.
M.I.A. STREAMING ENTIRE ALBUM ON MYSPACE
M.I.A. is streaming her entire new album on MySpace.com/MIA now. The tracks have the same throbbing beat from her previous discs, as well as an abundance of sound effects from everyday life. The disc hits stores and is
available for download on Tuesday. Take a listen to it now at MySpace.com/MIA. <AZ>
And…
M.I.A. SHOTS VIDEO WITH FLIP CAM
Hype Williams directed M.I.A.’s video for her new single “XXXO,” but the Sri Lankan singer is putting her own twist on the clip. According to Rap-Up.com, M.I.A. is splicing footage she took using her Flip camera with the footage
Hype directed for the single. She said once her editing is finished, she’ll release the video. As for when fans will get to see it, she said it’ll be available “really soon.” <AZ>
NEW GIRLICIOUS SONG
According to ThatGrapeJuice.net, Girlicious have surfaced with a new single
called “Drank,” which is on MTV’s Jersey Shore 2 soundtrack. The song
features the ladies singing about how much they need a drink, a perfect
match for the Jersey Shore crowd! <JC>
Check it out: Girlicious “Drank”
“I LOVE this record!” – Jeff J: KDLW OMG 97.7 Abq, NM
GAGA DOES MADISON SQUARE GARDEN
Lady Gaga performed what may have been the biggest concert of her life on Tuesday night, as she played the first of three sold-out shows at Madison Square Garden in her hometown of New York City. According to
ContactMusic.com, the “Bad Romance” singer told the crowd, “My name is Lady Gaga and I used to sit right over there, way far in the back and way up top… I used to stare at this side of the room, and I used to think, ‘I’m gonna be up there.’ Every second you watch me on this stage, you remember, I was sitting where you are.” Gaga plays her final MSG show tomorrow. <ZS>
And…
LADY GAGA CHANGES GRAMMY RULES
Lady Gaga’s exclusion from the Best New Artist category at this year’s GRAMMYS has caused the Recording Academy to change eligibility requirements for the next ceremony. Although Lady Gaga was one of the most popular new
artists of 2009, she was ineligible for a best new artist nomination because her hit “Just Dance” had been nominated for Best Dance Recording in 2008. The rules stated that once an artist is nominated for a GRAMMY, they cannot
be nominated for Best New Artists the following year. Recording Academy President Neil Portnow told us that there would be changes so that this situation would not repeat itself. The rule change allows previous GRAMMY
nominees to be eligible, as long as the artist hasn’t released an entire album and hasn’t won a GRAMMY. <JC>
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lol.” This seemed to be a subliminal call to Christina Aguilera’s hit single. Looks like we’ll have to wait and see.
