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Michael Jackson Tribute Album in the Works

Vanessa Baker — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 19:28:47 +0000

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.”

Williams said his new studio album will also pay tribute to the late pop star. “It’s all so very sad,” he said. “I couldn’t get a lyric to fit on one of the new songs, so when Michael passed away I rewrote it with him in mind.”

Williams and Houston have been asked to perform some of the dates planned for Jackson’s 50 day run at London’s O2 Arena. A live concert involving the Jackson family and other guests is being planned at the venue for August 29, which would have been the singer’s 51st birthday.

Twista’s Category: F5, A Vicious Vision

Jeremy Singer — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 05:49:01 +0000

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.

But despite all of his accomplishments, the 35-year-old is still confident that there’s room to improve, and has thus named his seventh studio album Category F5, the term for the most severe and dangerous Tornado level known to mankind on the Fujita scale.

“When all is said and done,” Twista tells andPOP, “I want everyone to see Twista as a timeless artist.

“I really want people to see that ‘this n***a came into the game a while back and was blowing away people with his lyrics from the beginning all the way until the end, and still at 35, he’s still competing with some of the hottest n***as in the game now.”

With stakes so high and something planned to be so colossal, the rapper thought it was necessary to be more involved in the production of this record.

“There were a lot of things hands-on this time,” recalls Twista. “I used to have some people do some stuff for me, but this time I really dove into the mixing and listening to the first cuts.

“But this hands-on thing really challenged me, so it was like I was sitting somewhere in the basement going crazy like mad scientist, hard at work, trying to get the album the way I wanted it to sound.”

But hard work isn’t foreign to Twista. Born and bred on Chicago’s West Side, Twista- real name Carl Mitchell -is quite familiar with the feeling of grinding through the ranks, networking, and continuing to push forward. In fact, it’s safe to say that Twista is one of the best networking artists in the entire industry.

Case in show, at the time he released his third album Adrenaline Rush in 1997, Twista’s services as a rapid-tongued lyrical speed-demon were constantly desired by the majority of the biz. Kind of like the way someone requests a special hot sauce to give their food that extra spike, Twista was indeed that secret sauce, and the industry couldn’t get enough of him.

Timbaland, Ludacris, P. Diddy, Kanye West. The list goes on and on.

“Everyone knows I’m happy to help them out anytime,” explains Twista. “I put my heart and soul into everything, and the tracks that they ask me to jump on. So it feels good to know they have my back and can return the favor.”

And the original favor returned was well worth it. His 2004 album Kamikaze attracted, upon many, the likes of longtime Chi-town friend Kanye West and actor/singer Jamie Foxx, who all together created the album’s Grammy nominated star pupil Slow Jamz. The album’s popularity was so hot that it not only reached platinum status, but also earned the No. 1 spot on the U.S. Billboard top 200.

Ever since Kamikaze, however, Twista has yet to generate as much success.

The following two projects, The Day After (2005), and Adrenaline 2007 (2007) did do fairly well- the first going platinum and the second going gold – but somehow their growth was stunted.

It’s one of Twista’s main hopes that F5 will break that trend, and help reclaim his spotlight.

“When people hear this album,” says Twista, “I just want them to see me, and how I’m still a part of what’s going on.”

Helping him hopefully meet that goal are the A-listing cast that he attracted once again- no surprise there. Throwing out big names such as Kanye, Akon, Busta Rhymes, R. Kelly, and longtime friend on the production side, The Legendary Traxster, the cast can only be assessed as simply more fire power for this already machine gun rapper.

“I’m still so phased by it now,” says Twista. “It’s a great group to have in the studio, such top artists all working together to achieve excellence- nothing better than that.”

Dig deeper, and you’ll find that his allegiances with some of the guys go further than just past one-time gigs. Take him and Trax for example. Like peanut butter and jelly, they both go all the way back to when Twista first began spitting out beats on records. Or R. Kelly, who was a guest at Twista’s original release party in 1991. Or even Kanye, who Twista recalls spending tons of time with, at his house, while they were younger.

“Man, I was chilling with him when he was still getting into trouble with his mother,” Twista says laughing. “But overall, I guess I’m just lucky to have a great relationship with everybody.”

F5 also gives Twista a chance to put his career on a path towards “longevity”- a dream and word that he cannot repeat enough throughout the interview. Almost like a four syllable mantra.

“Hip-hop artists’ careers end way too quickly,” says Twista. “It’s sad, and it would be great if they can last as long as the way R&B artists do. Just like James Brown.”

Then he pauses.

“You know what, I wanna be like the Jason Voorhees of rap,” he adds, chuckling, referring to the machete-wielding hockey-masked fictional character in Friday the 13th who just never dies.

And for someone who has seen it all over the years- from the CD to the MP3 era -Twista points out the evolution of his playground, and the current “impure” state of the industry.

“Right now,” he explains, “everyone’s trying to make money off of it. It’s more impure than it has been in a long time.”

“But I think that everything has the potential to do a 360. Like there’s a lot of negatives that have come from the whole technology aspect in the music industry, but there’s also a lot of positives. You’ll hear a lot of raw talent from the internet.”

Adds the rapper, “I guess it’s that I like being a true artist, so I like when a person can really play an instrument, or is really talented to put together a release, or someone who can really rap their ass off. I would like to hear more of that. I’m not against the fans view, because that’s what they love. But I wanna even it out a little bit.”

Theo Tams Crowned Canadian Idol

andPOP Staff — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 09:42:14 +0000

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.

Mariah Carey Set to Perform on Canadian Idol Finale

Irene Ogrodnik — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 08:59:26 +0000

“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.

Female Pop Stars Unite For Charity Single

Eva Lam — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 08:28:39 +0000

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.

Summer Krush Tour To Feature Mariah Carey, Nas

Eva Lam — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:07:08 +0000

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)

Nick Cannon Loves the Married Life

Irene Ogrodnik — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 20:13:38 +0000

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.

Mariah Plans Huge Second Wedding

andPOP Staff — Tue, 20 May 2008 03:39:09 +0000

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.

Mariah Carey Makes First Appearance as Mrs. Cannon

Irene Ogrodnik — Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:54 +0000

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.

Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon Tie The Knot

andPOP Staff — Fri, 02 May 2008 10:25:47 +0000

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.