andPOP - Pop Culture With Substance

Madonna, Mariah Carey, Beyonce and Robbie Williams are just a few of the superstars planning to record numbers for an upcoming Michael Jackson tribute album, reports the Daily Star. Whitney Houston, Usher and 12-year-old Shaheen Jafargholi of Britain’s Got Talent will also reportedly be featured alongside legends like Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross and Lionel Richie.

“The idea came from the memorial concert,” said a source. “Many fans asked if cover versions would be released and it seemed a wonderful idea. Some of the biggest stars in the world have indicated they’d like to take part to pay their own respects and tribute to the King of Pop. This cover album is sure to be a massive worldwide hit with fans and could raise a fortune for Michael’s favourite charities.”

Jafargholi, who performed “Who’s Loving You” at the memorial held for Jackson in Los Angeles, will record that track, as well as the song “Ben.” Carey will be singing “I’ll Be There,” while Williams will perform “Man in the Mirror.”

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In life (and in the hip-hop industry especially), there’s an unwritten code: as you approach the veteran years of your career, you’re expected to lose a step in your game.

Twista did not get that memo.

In fact, with 18 years of experience in the business so far, the Chicago hip-hop legend doesn’t see a career decline anytime soon. Nope, on the contrary. He says that some of his best work is yet to come.

Think about that for a moment.

This is coming from the guy who’s had two of his past six studio albums go platinum and crack the top ten list on the U.S. Billboard top 200, collaborations with some of the music industry’s finest talent including Kanye West, Snoop Dogg, Mariah Carey, T-Pain, Lil Wayne, T.I, and Akon, and not to mention, this is also the former Guinness World Record holder for the fastest rapper in the world.

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After a seemingly never ending two hour finale, Theo Tams of Lethbridge, AB was crowned the sixth Canadian Idol.

Theo was named the winner after a nationwide vote, with Mitch MacDonald of Port Hood, NS named runner-up.

The evening was filled with over-the-top performances from the Idol castoffs and revisiting of old favourites (Theo performed “Sweet One” and Mitch sang “I Love This Town” again).

Jully Black was finally given her rightful praise after being a sidekick to Ben Mulroney all year. She performed for the first time on the show, easily the best of the night.

To top the night off, musical heavyweights John Legend and Mariah Carey also performed. After the confetti had fallen, Theo fought back tears after being announced the winner. “I want to thank Mitch who has become a great friend. Thanks so much,” said Theo.

Theo Tams’ first single “Sing” will be heard soon enough across Canadian airwaves.

“Touch My Body” singer and music legend Mariah Carey is set to heat up the Canadian Idol stage, reports the Canadian Press.

The five time Grammy winner is scheduled to perform on the Sept 10 finale which will crown the season’s winner alongside five-time Grammy winner John Legend, Hedley and last year’s Canadian Idol winner Brain Melo.

Other stars who have already appeared on the show were former Bush singer and Gwen Stefani hubby Gavin Rossdale, Tom Jones and Simple Plan.

Prior to the finale, other big names set to appear are legendary singer Anne Murray and Bryan Adams.

Rihanna, Mariah Carey, Beyonce, Carrie Underwood and Miley Cyrus are teaming up through song to combat cancer.

The pop powerhouses are among a who’s who collective of female singers — 15 in all – who appear on the track “Just Stand Up,” conceived by producer Antonio “L.A.” Reid.

The song will be released to radio and on iTunes Sept. 2 and will benefit Stand Up For Cancer, an organization formed in 2007 to raise money for cancer research.

All of the singers — rounded out by Mary J. Blige, Fergie, Sheryl Crow, Melissa Etheridge, Ashanti, Natasha Bedingfield, Keyshia Cole, Ciara, Leona Lewis and LeAnn Rimes – will then perform the track during the “Stand Up to Cancer” telethon on Sept. 5.

The benefit, to be aired on ABC, CBS and NBC, will also feature appearances by a host of celebrities including Jennifer Aniston, Katie Couric, Meryl Streep and Forest Whitaker.

The lineup for the second annual Samsung AT&T Summer Krush has been announced.

Mariah Carey, Gavin Rossdale, Nelly, Nas and LeAnn Rimes will perform as part of the free concert series, which is designed to promote Samsung’s BlackJack II cell phone.

The tour kicks off July 31 in Los Angeles with Carey, who will give a 35-minute performance at the Hollywood & Highland Center. “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” will broadcast part of the show later that night.

The concert series will then move on to other cities throughout the U.S., featuring a different artist in each location.

Three additional artists who will be announced shortly will play as part of Summer Krush in mid-September.

Samsung BlackJack II mobile phones will be on display at each show, during which concertgoers can learn about the phone and its music capabilities.

A limited number of free concert tickets will be available via the Summer Krush website, as well as radio promotions, fan clubs and street teams.

Last summer’s inaugural Summer Krush featured performances from Ludacris, the Bravery and the All-American Rejects, among others.

Here is the lineup so far for this year’s Summer Krush tour:
- July 31 – Los Angeles, Hollywood & Highland Center (Mariah Carey)
- Aug. 7 – Seattle, Showbox (Gavin Rossdale)
- Aug. 13 – Dallas, Gilley’s (Le Ann Rimes)
- Aug. 19 – Atlanta, Tabernacle (Nelly)
- Aug. 27 – New York, Webster Hall (Nas)

Many people may be surprised to hear that Nick Cannon and Mariah Carey are still married but, although the honeymoon may be over, Cannon is really enjoying life as Mr. Carey.

According to People magazine, Cannon said his marriage is “amazing.” Although Carey was not in Las Vegas with her husband at the opening of Las Vegas’s Christian Audigier The Nightclub Friday, Cannon still beamed about his married life.

“It’s the best thing that ever happened to me,” said Cannon.

Carey and Cannon met on the set of her video “Bye Bye,” and married just a few short weeks after in May.

It was only a matter of time before the Diva had her day.

Mariah Carey isn’t satisfied with the quick ceremony she and husband Nick Cannon shared recently. MSNBC reports that she is currently planning an extravagant second wedding.

“It’s going to be held in New York City in the next six weeks,” a source confessed. “Picture a wedding on the scale of Liza Minnelli’s (to David Gest) and you’ll be on the right track.”

Carey reportedly plans to invite 2,000 guests, including a minimum of 14 bridesmaids.

Nick Cannon and Mariah Carey made their first public appearance as husband and wife at Time magazine’s “100 Most Influential People in the World” event Thursday night.

Carey, 38, and Cannon, 27, have told People magazine that they got tattoos to mark the special occasion. “One thing [few people] knew was we got tattoos a few weeks earlier. So anyone who saw my tattoo wasn’t surprised,” said Carey.

Cannon added, “To me rings are special and exciting, but tattoos mean more than anything. They’re forever and ever. They professed our love.” Apparently, Carey has the words “Mrs. Cannon” tattooed on the back of her neck.
Carey said that about a dozen guests attended the sunset wedding, where they celebrated with Maine lobster and Dom Perignon champagne. It is believed the couple began dating in late March on the set of Carey’s new video. “Bye Bye,” in which Cannon was cast as the singer’s love interest. A few short weeks later on April 30th, the couple wed at Carey’s Bahamian estate.

No, it’s not another celebrity publicity stunt: Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon really did get hitched.

The couple tied the knot the yesterday at Carey’s new home in the Bahamas.

“Yes, we know,” confirmed Linda Cannon, a relative to the groom. “He called us and told us all about it. We are happy for him. If that is what he wants then we are happy for him.”

A rep for Jacob & Co. also confirmed yesterday that Cannon dished out $2.5 million for Carey’s 17-carat ring.

This is Carey’s second marriage. The platinum-selling diva, 39, split from Tommy Mottola in 1998 after only five years of marriage.

Cannon, 27, was once engaged to model Selita Ebanks, but this is his first trip down the aisle.