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Canadians Top Golden Globe Nominations

Stephen Baldwin — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 18:57:16 +0000

James Cameron

Canadian directors James Cameron and Jason Reitman both been nominated for best director and best picture.

Cameron, the Oscar-winning veteran director of Titanic, is nominated for his work on Avatar. The epic science-fiction thriller was not even been publicly released yet and it is already receiving immense critical acclaim.

Reitman, a rising star in Hollywood, directed 2007’s Juno and 2006’s Thank You for Smoking. His newest release, Up in the Air, stars George Clooney (nominated for best actor in a motion picture, drama), and its dialogue and humour have captured the interest of thousands already.

Alongside the Canadians are veteran directors Clint Eastwood and Quentin Tarantino for Invictus and Inglorious Bastards. The two movies are up for best picture, along with several nominations for best acting awards.

The Golden Globes often foreshadow the nominations for the Oscar ceremonies in March, and this year is no different. This year’s movies contained many of the common Hollywood mainstay actors and directors, only involved in movies that were inconsistent with their past work. Nominees include Morgan Freeman, Meryl Streep, Matt Damon, Jeff Bridges, Sandra Bullock, Tobey Maguire, George Clooney, Julia Roberts and many other common stars.

One unknown actress, however, who does threaten to steal the best actress award this year is Gabourey Sidibe. The actress in the tragic, Oprah-produced film Precious has received remarkable praise for her role.

The list of nominees gives the best indication of movies that you should be checking out this month.

Kanye West 7th on Man of the Year List

Stephen Baldwin — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 17:03:40 +0000

Kanye West beat out fellow rappers Drake and Eminem to be voted seventh on MTV News’ Man of the Year list, MTV.com reports.

The Taylor Swift incident halted what had been an incredibly eventful year for West. Tracks from late 2008’s 808s and heartbreak have been playing throughout the year, and the electronic-hip hop mix is becoming a popular trend among both urban and mash-up artists. West kicked of 2009 with a performance at President Obama’s youth inauguration ceremony, and then headlined both the Lollapalooza and Bonnaroo music festivals. He also appeared on popular tracks like Run this Town, Drake’s Forever and Keri Hilson’s Knock You Down. West has also contributed to the rising careers of artists like Kid Cudi, 88 keys, Drake and British singer Mr. Hudson. He is currently working on developing young rapper Soulja Boy’s latest album.

He was also a popular tabloid search. Since the death of his mother Donda in 2007, West has been understandably short-tempered. Earlier this year West had a scuffle with paparazzi that ended with punches being thrown, and his heartless interruption of Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech pissed off plenty of fans and celebrities…including President Obama. The incident led to a teary interview on the Jay Leno Show and then increased suspicion among the media of mental illness.

Entertainment Weekly recently named Kanye West’s early album College Dropout the album of the decade. Maybe the announcement will inspire West to stay off the drama for a while, and get back to the music.

Eminem Raises Hell with Controversial Lyric

Stephen Baldwin — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 16:20:08 +0000

Fans of both Adam Lambert and Eminem have weighed in with MTV on the rapper’s controversial anti-gay lyric from the song “Elevator.”

Eminem, whose new album Relapse: Refill will be officially released on December 21st, has once again revealed his controversial opinion of homosexuality…shocking. But this time there were specific targets:

“Sorry, Lance, Mr. Lambert and Aiken ain’t gonna make it/ They get so mad, when I call them both fake/ It’s all these f—ing voices in my head, I can’t take it/ Someone shut that f—ing baby up, before I shake it.”

Doesn’t seem so harsh until you here the fake/it’s combo, and then you understand that Eminem is still as reckless as always.

There are obviously two sides to the controversy: those who see defamation in music as a cheap, hurtful tool (leave this stuff out of the industry), and those Eminem fans who are all too familiar, and perhaps to accepting, of Eminem’s message (If you don’t like it don’t listen).

If any aspect of this controversy pisses you off, that was the point.

Tiger Woods Dodges The Law

Stephen Baldwin — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 23:51:45 +0000

Amid talks of adultery and romance rumours, Tiger Woods’ biggest concern was the Florida police…that’s no longer the case.

After smashing up his Cadillac Escalade near his Orlando estate, the Florida Highway Patrol is penalizing Woods with a careless driving ticket that will cost him $164. The multi-millionaire golfer spends more than that on a meal.

Florida Police also failed to obtain a search warrant to uncover any alternative causes of the accident, not having sufficient evidence to back it up.

With all the money that Woods has made Florida as the world’s hottest golf attraction, they probably owed him.

Controversy Giants Make Barbara Walters Top 10 List

Stephen Baldwin — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 21:12:21 +0000

Barbara Walters has announced her annual top 10 most fascinating people of the year. It is reported that 2009’s show will include Lady Gage, Sarah Palin, Kate Gosselin and Adam Lambert.

Both Sarah Palin and Lady Gaga have become notable sign of female empowerment world wide. Palin recently released book disclosing the details of her personal and political life – over the course of her book tour she was frequently asked whether she’d be running for president in the next election. Lady Gaga has endured one-hit-wonder and shock value accusations; proving herself as a popular mainstay on the international music scene.

For Lambert and Gosselin, though, it’s a different story. Gosselin’s popularity arose out of marital controversy with her husband that very conveniently played out during her reality TV show, Jon and Kate plus Eight. Lambert had minor success after American Idol, but his popularity skyrocketed when he controversially made out with a male band member during the American Music Awards and then mocked oral sex with another male on stage.

Gaga’s songs are sexual in nature, but they are often artistically driven. Lambert, gay or not, stepped across a line that made his performance strictly shock value – it in no way enhanced the performance.

Barbara Walters is on the verge of condoning cheap entertainment.

Chris Bosh to Release In-depth DVD

Stephen Baldwin — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:35:35 +0000

Six-year NBA veteran Chris Bosh is releasing a DVD on December 15th. “Chris Bosh Presents: First Ink” will include an in-depth look into the Raptor’s summer training, side projects and experiences with the NBA’s elite.

“First Ink” is a 30 minute video documenting Bosh’s training over the 2009 preseason, and his new training regimen.

The DVD will also include five of Bosh’s comedic CBTV side projects, including his Used Car Salesman skit during his campaign for All Star votes.

Bonus features on the DVD will include highlights from Bosh’s high school career, more original skits, and interviews with Bosh that cover his experiences in the NBA from playing alongside Vince Carter, to facing off with Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal.

The DVD a perfect gift for Raptor’s fans that have been followin Bosh’s so-far career season.

Tommy Lee Back in Business

Stephen Baldwin — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:39:59 +0000

The rock star turned tattooed porn star spectacle is getting back to music with his new project, Beserk, CHARTattack.com reports.

The nu-metal group will include the drummers from Velvet Revolver, Incubus and The Red Hot Chili Peppers, along with Godsmack singer Sully Erna.

Bezerk will perform on January 8th at the Guitar Center Drum-Off ‘09 Grand Finals at Los Angeles’ Wiltern Theatre.
The group will highlight the $40,000 drum-off including five undiscovered drummers who will battle for money and respect through the approval of a judging panel.

P. Diddy Celebrates His 40th Birthday

Stephen Baldwin — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:38:03 +0000

Sean “P. Diddy’”Combs finally found a noble excuse to get rid of $3 million that he had lying around.

The rap mogul celebrated his 40th birthday in New York alongside a diverse guest list that included Bono, Kim Kardashian, Jimmy Fallon, Nelly and even Martha Stewart. The celebrity crew represented Combs’ widespread contribution to the entertainment industry.

Apparently the money was well worth it. His Twitter this morning read: “I haven’t had a hangover in five years but I have one now.”

Jacksoul’s Haydain Neale Dead at 39

Stephen Baldwin — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:01:50 +0000

If you haven’t heard Jacksoul’s 2000 hit, “Can’t Stop”, you should stop reading this and listen check it out, because it really is among the greatest Canadian songs in modern music history.

Jacksoul Singer and Songwriter Haydain Neale died Sunday morning at Toronto’s Mount Sinai hospital after a seven month struggle with Lung cancer. By his side was his daughter, friends, brother-in-law and wife, who said, ““Through all these challenges, Haydain’s sense of humour and love of music were ever-present. He constantly brightened the room with his singing and his smile. His joyful presence and beautiful voice will be missed by us all.”

It was an untimely death for a gifted contributor to the Canadian music industry. “Can’t Stop” was the most played track in Canada for four straight weeks in 2000, and “Still Believe in Love”, released in 2004, was one of the most popular tracks of the year. He won a Canadian Urban Music Award that same year, and R&B Song of the Year at the 2005 SOCAN awards, for the track Shady Days.

Jacksoul’s soulful R&B sound was somehow both original and classic. “Can’t Stop” and “Still Believe in Love” are among the timeless songs of Neale’s generation– they have that indefinable quality that can translate to every age group.

Urban music in Canada right now is in a severe dry spell, and Haydain Neale’s passing is a major blow. Maybe the sudden loss will send a message to the industry. RIP. andPOP wishes to express our condolences to Haydain’s family and friends.

Travis McCoy Back to Business

Stephen Baldwin — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:49:19 +0000

Gym Class Heroes rapper Travis McCoy will be releasing several different projects over the next year, according to Billboard.com.

With an upcoming solo project, McCoy is eager to escape the image of, “That dude who sings the song about his girlfriend,” in his group’s most popular song, Cupid’s Chokehold. “With this record, I feel like people are going to take me more seriously as a rapper and hopefully, as a singer as well.”

McCoy will also be releasing a documentary on MTV December 1st. “Travis McCoy’s Unbeaten Track,” will Chronicle the artist’s experiences while travelling with MTV’s Staying Alive foundation to South Africa, India and the Philippines. It will be accompanied by his charity single, One at a Time. “since it is a charity track, I wanted to keep the cheese factor to a bare minimum and make sure it’s sincere and from the heart,” said McCoy.

His fourth solo album, The Lazarus Project, will include the rapping and singing of McCoy, along with appearances by Cee-Lo and Chester French. “I tried to keep the guest appearances at a bare minimum because this is my first effort away from Gym Class Heroes, so I didn’t want it to be super appearance-driven,” he said.

But this in no way spells the end for Gym Class Heroes. Expect the group’s fourth album late next year, after his solo drops in Spring.