Grammy award winning singer and actress Whitney Houston, who has sold over 170 million albums worldwide, died today at age 48 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Though her publicist Kristen Foster confirmed the death, she did not reveal the cause. She was pronounced dead at 6:55 pm E.T. despite resuscitation efforts. A police spokesperson said there appears to be no obvious signs of criminal intent, though it will still be investigated. Her death comes on the eve before the Grammy Awards, where she dominated as one of the top pop/R&B singers for decades, starting in the mid 1980s.

Houston’s private life was often made public. She battled a drug addiction for years and had a tumultuous marriage with ex-husband Bobby Brown, with whom she has a daughter. She staged a comeback in 2009, though she didn’t achieve the success she experienced at her peak.

She recently filmed Sparkle with Jordin Sparks, which is set to arrive in theatres on Aug. 10. The film is a remake of the 1976 hit.

The social media world erupted with reactions to her death. Music producer Russell Simmons wrote he was “deeply saddened by the death of Whitney Houston.” Quincy Jones, said he was “absolutely heartbroken” and that “she was a true original and a talent beyond compare.”

Over the span of her career, the music legend won six Grammy Awards, two Emmy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards and 22 American Music awards. She also claims the first female album to debut at #1 on Billboard.

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They may have been beat out by Taylor Swift for the Album of the Year Grammy Award, but the Dave Matthews Band are still aware of what’s really important.

In an effort to help the ongoing devastation in Haiti, The Dave Matthews Band has put together a special EP that they called The Haiti Relief Project, reports perezhilton.com.

The CD contains five previously unreleased songs and costs only $5 (U.S.). All proceeds from sales will go towards the fund that the band has set up, called the Bama Works Haiti Relief Fund. As shown on their website, the band is also selling a $20 (U.S.) Haiti Relief Project t-shirt featuring the album cover art for The Haiti Relief ProjectEP. All proceeds from t-shirt sales will also go to the Bama Works Haiti Relief Fund.

Both items can be purchased on the band’s website, www.davematthewsband.com.

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Having sold over 24.3 million digital tracks, Taylor Swift has become the highest-selling digital artist in music history, according to sales figures released yesterday by Nielsen SoundScan.

In addition, her most recent album, Fearless, was 2009’s top-seller, with an excess of 3.2 million copies sold.

Swift also claimed both the first and second positions on Nielsen’s Top 10 Most Played Songs chart, with “You Belong With Me” at #1, and “Love Story,” at #2.

After a successful night at the People’s Choice Awards last week, where she took home the Favourite Female Artist Award, Swift looks to take her success to the Grammy’s on Jan. 31, where she is nominated for eight awards, and scheduled to perform.

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Next week’s Grammy Awards just got bigger.

U2, Kid Rock, Rihanna and Robert Plant and Alison Krauss have joined the lineup of performers for the awards show, which will take place at Los Angeles’ Staples Center on Feb. 8.

Previously announced performers include Kenny Chesney, Coldplay, Jennifer Hudson, Jonas Brothers, Lil Wayne, Paul McCartney (with Dave Grohl on drums), Katy Perry, Radiohead, T.I. and Justin Timberlake, Carrie Underwood, and Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, T.I. and Kanye West.

The lineup of presenters is equally star-studded, with Jack Black, Duffy, Samuel L. Jackson and Gwyneth Paltrow among those set to make appearances.

The 51st Grammy Awards will broadcast live on Global and CBS beginning at 8 p.m ET/PT.

Lil Wayne leads the field of nominees this year with eight nods, followed by Coldplay with seven.

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It was announced on Monday (January 26) that Radiohead would perform on the Grammy Awards show taking place on February 8. The band is up for five Grammys.

The performance at this year’s 51st annual Grammy Awards will mark Radiohead’s first live TV performance in the U.S. since 2000, not to mention the first time the band plays on the award show.

With Radiohead added to the list, three nominees for Album of the Year are set to perform at the award show. However, both Robert Plant and Alison Krauss who are nominated for their collaboration “Raising Sand,” and Ne-Yo have not been confirmed as performers.

Justin Timberlake and T.I. will also be performing at the awards. T.I. will be joining Jay-Z, Lil Wayne and Kanye West to perform their hit “Swagga Like Us.”

Other acts for the night include Katy Perry – who lends her song “I Kissed A Girl” for this year’s My Grammy Moment – Coldplay, Jennifer Hudson, the Jonas Brothers, Lil Wayne, Carrie Underwood, among other performers.

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Brothers Joe, Nick and Kevin Jonas have been added to the list of performers for the 51st Grammy Awards on February 8.

The Jonas Brothers will also be headlining Disney’s Kid’s Inaugural concert on Monday (January 19). As if that wasn’t enough, the boys are also runner-ups for the Best New Artist Award at the Grammys.

Other performers this year include Coldplay, Lil Wayne, Katy Perry, who is set to perform in the “My Grammy Moment” segment, among others.

Usually, artists nominated for album of the year are asked to perform on the show, but it has not been announced if the other nominees which include Radiohead, Alison Krauss and Robert Plant, and Ne-Yo will perform at this year’s Grammys.

Meanwhile, the Jonas Brothers are up against Duffy, Adele, R&B singer Jazmine Sullivan and Lady Antebellum for the Best New Artist Award.

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Do you think you have what it takes to top Katy Perry’s performance of her hit song “I Kissed a Girl”?

Fans can now upload videos and have a chance to appear in the Grammy telecast singing “I Kissed a Girl” with Katy Perry through their video submissions.

“I am very excited to be a first-time Grammy nominee and new Recording Academy member this year, and even more thrilled to perform on music’s biggest stage in February,” said Perry to MTV News.

Fans can upload a video between 30 and 60 seconds long of themselves singing Perry’s song. People will later vote on the three best videos and those that win will be announced during the Grammy broadcast.

Viewers can select their favourite videos to determine the Top Fan Video in addition to the three videos that will make it to the live telecast.

Those who are interested in being considered for the live telecast as well as the CBS.com Top Fan Video Contest must have their videos submitted and uploaded by January 22 to www.cbs.com.grammys.

The videos can be uploaded to CBS.com from January 6 to February 6.

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Both Coldplay and Lil Wayne scored top nominations for the 51st annual Grammy Awards.

This year the nominees were announced in a slightly different way – through a televised concert featuring Christina Aguilera, Celine Dion, John Mayer and other artists.

Chris Martin and the rest of the guys from Coldplay garnered an Album of the Year nod for “Viva la Vida,” as did Lil Wayne for “Tha Carter III ,“ Neo for “Year of the Gentleman,” and Alison Krauss and Robert Plant for “Raising Sand.” Lastly, Radiohead also received a nomination in the category for the album “In Rainbows.”

Brothers Joe, Nick and Kevin Jonas received a Best New Artist nomination. They’re up against Duffy, Adele, R&B singer Jazmine Sullivan and Lady Antebellum .

Record of the Year nominations went to Adele for “Chasing Pavements,” Leona Lewis for “Bleeding Love,” M.I.A. For “Paper Planes,” Robert Plant & Alison Krauss for “Please Read The Letter,” and Coldplay for “Viva La Vida”.

For more Grammy nominees check out www.grammy.com

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The inaugural Grammy Nominations Concert will feature performances from the Foo Fighters, John Mayer and B.B. King.

The lineup boosts the star power of the Dec. 3 event, which will take place at L.A.’s Nokia Theatre and air on CBS.

Mariah Carey, LL Cool J and Taylor Swift have been tapped to co-host the proceedings, in which nominees in several as-yet-unspecified Grammy categories will be announced.

The event also coincides with the grand opening of the Grammy Museum in the downtown L.A. entertainment complex where the Grammys are held each year.

Proceeds from tickets sales wil go toward the museum.

The 51st Annual Grammy Awards will take place on Feb. 8, 2009.

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Grammy-winning star Natalie Cole was admitted to a NYC hospital earlier today, reports E! News.

According to the entertainment website, the singer has been suffering a setback stemming from her grueling chemotherapy treatment for hepatitis C.

“She’s been under treatment for hep C, which has been laying dormant in her system from years ago,” publicist Maureen O’Connor tells E! News.

“It’s a pretty hefty treatment and she’s dealing with the side effects.”

As a result, the 58-year-old had to cancel all her October promotional stops and performances. Cole was also forced to cancel an appearance at Midtown Border to plug her latest album.

“I wanted to express my sincerest apologies as I was excited to greet my fans tonight, but my illness got the best of me,” Cole said in a statement. “I look forward to seeing you all very soon.”

Cole will remain in the hospital for a few more days before flying back to her home in Los Angeles, where she’ll spend the next month recuperating.

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andPOP’s Live Grammy Blog

Starting at 6 p.m. ET tonight, andPOP will be blogging the Grammys live. From the red carpet to the podium, andPOP’s music guru Adam Gonshor will be sharing his thoughts. The funny moments, the serious moments and the surprises; you’ll want to keep coming back to andPOP every few minutes. Adam will also be sharing his personal stories about the Grammy nominees that he has met and interviewed over the past few years.

And do you have any comments or questions while you’re watching? We’ll include those too. Just email adamATandpopDOTcom so you can be included in andPOP’s live Grammy blog.

3:46 p.m. Hello to anyone who is reading this. The live andPOP Grammy blog was an idea I had a few months ago. I hope this will be the first of many “live” andPOP blogs. Since this is the first, I must assume that I will have a low readership, but that’s ok… I’m prepared to watch this idea grow.

3:49 p.m. Come back around 6 p.m. because that’s when the red carpet on E! begins, which is when I will start blogging.

6:02 p.m. We’re two minutes into the red carpet on E! and Ryan Seacrest has already made me uncomfortable.

6:03 p.m. It’s two hours away from the show, which means the people who are getting interviewed are either very nice to the media or desperate for attention. 10 bucks says Brooke Hogan will appear any time now.

6:05 p.m. Wyclef! He’s not desperate, for the record. “I get to perform and stare at Shakira’s hips.” Oh Wyclef.

6:06 p.m. Leann Rimes just joked about her lack of breast size. The Grammy red carpet has officially started!

6:07 p.m. Brother Bram has pointed out that the carpet is not green this year. Guess they couldn’t secure a sponsor. Or Red Bull decided not to be creative.

6:10 p.m. Another awkward moment as Giuliana just sang Over My Head to the Fray. Matisyahu is on the red carpet. Still strange to see my rabbi walking next to Jamie Foxx.

6:14 p.m. Imogen Heap looks like she’s ready to plant her hat in my garden.

6:15 p.m. “Is this blog just going to be you making fun of people?” asks Bram.
“I said something nice about Wyclef.”
“Well, obviously.”

6:21 p.m. This is an actual moment from the red carpet.
John Mayer to Ryan Seacrest: “You’re like the Anderson cooper of E”
Ryan: “Who are you wearing?”

6:25 My pizza is ordered. They have 45 minutes or it’s free.

6:34 p.m. I will say that Ryan is smooth on the red carpet. He knows how to improvise and doesn’t miss a beat.

6:43 p.m. Wow. OK Go are wearing some sort of red suits, and their faces are covered in red and I can’t explain it but look for a photo somewhere. And Lionel Richie is with his kids… well, minus one.

6:44 p.m. Thought I just saw Shaggy but I know that cannot be.

Giuliana has just pointed out how “cheers” is a strange thing to say when exiting a conversation. Has society become so alcohol-obsessed that even innocent conversations need to end with “cheers?”

6:50 p.m. I was right. There’s Brooke Hogan. With only 70 minutes to promote herself.

6:54 p.m. Breaking news: Brooke designed the dress she is wearing. It doesn’t even look that bad. I’ll let Perez rip her apart.

6:57 p.m. Pizza’s here. Made it by 10 minutes. It’s not free.

7 p.m. Dixie Chicks: “It’s fun to hate us.” They are actually the only country artists I like.

7:03 p.m. Good to see James Blunt decided to shave and put on a nice suit. Nope, scratch that. Unshaven and a t-shirt! Respect.

7:08 p.m. 10 minute break to eat. Come back soon.

7:21 p.m. Apparently the Red Hot Chili Peppers don’t like Ryan.

7:31 Why did I keep typing p.m.?

7:32 Entertainment Tonight Canada is now airing their pre-show and I think I’ll stick with Ryan.

7:35 Mandy Moore looks like she’s wearing something a barbarian would wear 100s of years ago. She won’t talk about her personal life, but should probably should or Ryan might ask abut her barbarian suit.

7:37 Paula Abdul is on the red carpet! Silence in the room!

7:38 She didn’t say anything strange! Damn.

7:40 I have a list of Grammy winners so far (from the non-televised portion) and am proud to say here are the artists that have won that andPOP has interviewed (this is my shameless part of the blog): Lewis Black, John Legend, Joss Stone, Carrie Underwood.

7:50 Paula’s on ET Canada and has another chance to say something strange. Damn nothing.

Head over to part 2 of the Grammy blog now!

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MARY J BLIGE and LUDACRIS will team up with funk legends EARTH WIND & FIRE to fill the final performance slot at the Grammy Awards on Sunday.

The three acts will join forces to present a tribute to funk and hip-hop at the star-studded show, which will also feature collaborations between SHAKIRA and WYCLEF JEAN, LIONEL RICHIE, CHRIS BROWN and SMOKEY ROBINSON and CARRIE UNDERWOOD and RASCAL FLATTS.

Also new to the Grammys line-up is JAMES BLUNT and rapper T.I., who will join the likes of JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE, the DIXIE CHICKS, CHRISTINA AGUILERA and reunited THE POLICE among the night’s performers.

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The 49th annual Grammy Awards will be handed out this Sunday night in Los Angeles.

While andPOP watches the show, we’ll be “blogging” in our first ever Grammy blog.

Every time something happens, we’ll be posting about it. Every time someone messes up, we’ll post. Surprises? We’ll post. Awful performances? We’ll let you know.

We’ll be voicing our opinions, and giving you the facts. Plus, if you have comments of your own or questions for our music guru Adam Gonshor, send those in during the Grammys and we’ll include those in our blog as well.

So join Adam as he blogs the Grammys, this Sunday starting at 6 p.m. on andPOP.

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