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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.

Justin Bieber Gives It To andPOP One Time

Robert Ostfield — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 04:39:17 +0000

So where do great singing careers start? Apparently the Statford, Ontario Idol singing competition. That’s where this YouTube sensation got his start, and is now causing a stir on the music scene. Justin spoke with Jenn on a recent trip to Toronto.

Usher Files For Divorce From Tameka Foster-Raymond

Joelle Tomlinson — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 05:20:09 +0000

Usher filed for divorce Friday from his wife of nearly two years, Tameka Foster-Raymond, according to mtvnews.com. The petition, filed at Superior Court in Atlanta, did not give a reason for the split.

The marriage between Usher, 30, and Foster, 38, reportedly has been strained for months now. Sources have said the pair haven’t lived under the same roof for quite some time, as Usher has relocated to Nevada to work on his next solo album. Pictures and video of Usher, alongside Jermaine Dupri and others, partying in Las Vegas have appeared online in recent weeks.

Early this year, Foster suffered cardiac arrest before undergoing plastic surgery in Brazil. Upon learning of her condition, Usher canceled his performance at Clive Davis’ annual pre-Grammy gala and flew to the foreign country be to with her. Davis told the crowd at the party that Usher had to leave town due to a “serious injury in the family.” People’s sources called the event a “brief reunion in an otherwise troubled marriage.” The couple have two sons together, Usher Raymond V, born in November of 2007, and Naviyd Ely Raymond, born last December. Foster has three sons from a previous relationship.

Teenage Triple Threat Mishon Sets Eyes On The Prize

Emma Renda — Tue, 26 May 2009 18:40:44 +0000

It’s not unusual for an actor to release an album, or a musician to star in movies and television. What’s rare is to do both before the age of 16. (And to be a pretty hot dancer, to boot.)

Mishon just became legal to drive in the United States, but he has already starred in three seasons of ABC’s Lincoln Heights and is releasing his second LP, The Yearbook, this fall.

With a two singles circulating the airwaves, “Excuse Me, Mama” and “Just a Kiss,” attention is flying fast and heavy at the budding triple threat. Mishon was taken under the wing of producer extraordinaire Vincent Herbert, who signed the young R&B singer to his new label Streamline Records, a joint venture with Interscope. Herbert, known for working with major pop stars such as Lady GaGa, Destiny’s Child and Toni Braxton, produced The Yearbook alongside Mishon.

“It’s reassuring to know that someone like that is behind you,” Mishon says. “It’s great being around him, he works hard.”

Mishon is no stranger to hard work himself. He has been living the abstract life of a teen pop star since he was 9, when he was picked up by Dynasty Records, which released his first album, Still Mishon, in 2004.

But before Mishon had the chance to settle into his career as a musician, he was cast in a lead role on ABC’s Lincoln Heights. After three seasons playing the kid brother to the leading character, Mishon signed on for another two seasons and is currently on set filming in Los Angeles, incidentally his hometown.

Although television was his first big break into the mainstream, Mishon’s focus lies in music.

“I definitely realized singing first,” Mishon says. “I’ve been singing ever since I was a baby, actually. I’ve been moulding my craft ever since [singing to Dynasty]. It’s been a blessing to have the experience I’ve had so far.”

Citing influences such as Michael Jackson and Usher, Mishon’s calling card has become his R&B ballads like “Excuse Me, Mama.”

“That song was basically about being chivalrous,” Mishon says of the song that details a young guy in a shopping mall swooning over a beautiful girl. Instead of approaching her directly, Mishon sings about being a gentleman and asking her mother’s permission. “Like I could say, ‘Excuse me, mama. Hey, you’re daughter is fine, can I get her number?’”

The song was written by Dwight Watson a.k.a. King Pin, an up-and-coming writer in the biz, according to Mishon. But Mishon has also written songs about his personal experiences, such as another ballad “Sidelines,” which he performed on Lincoln Heights as part of their prom episode.

“It speaks about me liking a girl and she knows it, but she has me on the sideline just waiting for her,” Mishon says. So what happened? “We got together but we broke up like a week later,” he says, with a laugh.

Although Mishon’s music personality is laden with charm and suave, his social life is a low-key one. Because of his packed schedule, Mishon is home-schooled by his mother, Shontay. The closest he ever got to the typical high school experience is on the set of Lincoln Heights, and though his career is something he would never sacrifice, he admits it isn’t easy to live at such an accelerated pace.

His closest friends are his parents, his summers are spent on tour or on set, and instead of going to his own prom, he is hiring himself out in a contest on his website for one lucky lady to win him as a date to their prom.

“I felt like prom is just a big thing for a lot of people,” Mishon says of the contest, which also includes a full shopping spree for the winner.

Increasing his visibility as the release date for The Yearbook approaches is paramount for the fledgling star, hence the contest and the blog and the Twitter account. Plans for a tour later this year are in the works, although no concrete details have been announced. Mishon is even a veteran on tour, as he hit the road last summer with BET’s Black College Tour with Chamillionaire.

“That was crazy, a lot of screaming girls,” Mishon says. “Being on stage and hearing people sing my songs, like ‘Excuse Me,’ the whole song all the way through, is pretty life-changing.”

His next tour will only mean bigger audiences and, well, more screaming girls if things keep up the way they’re going.

“I think over the past five or six years I’ve had ups and downs but I think that this time I’m really gonna do it,” Mishon says. “Like I say, I’ve got Interscope behind me working hard. It’s all about focus. As long as you stay focussed, you’ll reach your goal.

“I love music, I love to dance. It’s just in my heart, and if you love something, why not pursue it?”

Usher Preps New Album, Films Movie Cameo

Eva Lam — Sat, 23 May 2009 16:03:09 +0000

Usher is keeping busy these days – both in the recording studio and on a movie set.

On the musical end of things, the R&B singer has been working on his sixth studio album and recently revealed that it will be called “Monster.”

The Grammy winner, who is recording the follow-up to 2008’s “Here I Stand” in Las Vegas and Atlanta, has even brought in producer Jermaine Dupri for the project, according to People.

The album is slated for release this autumn via Jive Records.

The multi-talented artist also revealed via Twitter that he recently shot a cameo in the upcoming thriller “Five Killers,” starring Ashton Kutcher and Katherine Heigl.

“Here on the set of Five Killers,” he wrote. “I’m headed in now for my first scene with Ashton and Katherine.”

Usher’s previous film credits include “The Faculty,” “Light It Up” and “Texas Rangers.”

Usher’s Wife Out Of Hospital

Ilan Mester — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 00:37:27 +0000

Usher’s wife Tameka Raymond was released form Sírio-Libanês Hospital in São Paulo, Brazil on Monday according to E! Online, after an 11-day stay recuperating from a liposuction surgery. Usher had to cancel his Grammy appearance to see his wife in Brazil.

During her Surgery, Raymond suffered both cardiac and respiratory arrest when she was anesthetized for the liposuction procedure. This prompted doctors to place her in an induced coma for approximately 24 hours in order to avoid “unnecessary complications.”

Although Raymond is no longer in the Sírio-Libanês Hospital, it still isn’t clear if she is staying in Brazil or whether she is on route to the United States.

Usher, 30, and Raymond, 37, have yet to release any details regarding Raymond’s condition. The couple recently welcomed their second son in December.

Usher’s Wife In Stable Condition

Talia Ricci — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 18:50:50 +0000

Tameka Foster was rushed to hospital recently due to complications with a routine surgery. The operation took place in Brazil. Husband Usher Raymond was forced to cancel his performances at the Recording Academy and Clive Davis’s pre-Grammy Gala. The family is asking for privary during this hard time. However a spokesperson for Usher told PEOPLE that “Tameka Foster is in stable condition after suffering complications from routine surgery in Brazil.” Usher and Tameka have two children and have been married since August of 2007. Our thoughts are with the family.

Usher’s Family Woes

Jeremy Singer — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 23:36:03 +0000

It’s true, the Grammy Awards included a star studded lineup. But unfortunately, Usher, who was set to perform as well, canceled out last minute.

According to E! News, the artist is dealing with a family crisis- possibly to do with his wife’s plastic surgery operation.

His wife Tameka Foster, 37, apparently suffered complications from a cosmetic procedure in Brazil.

Davis, president of Usher’s J Records label, announced that the entertainer and his mother phoned earlier in the day to cancel his rehearsal and subsequent performance at the Beverly Hilton because of a “serious illness in the family.”

The couple have been married since August 2007 and have two children. Foster formerly worked as Usher’s stylist.

Usher Holds Contest For Aspiring Directors

Ilan Mester — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 00:10:47 +0000

Teenagers will direct Usher’s new video. The singer will let young directors between the ages of thirteen to eighteen shoot his latest video.

For those interested, just log onto Got-Noise.com and apply for the contest, which is sponsored by the Body by Milk campaign. Those who are selected by the contest will have the chance to go to Los Angeles to work in one of two teams in March.

Both teams will have to come up with an original concept for Usher’s video within one week. And in case you were wondering, Usher will be there, offering his advice to each team.

Usher said in a statement, “I am so excited to be the first artist involved with the Body by Milk/ Got Noise music video program, as it gives me another way to give back, inspire young people and also reinvent music videos.”

The two videos will debut in April, when fans will vote on the winner. The winning team will receive prizes including tickets to an Usher concert, Apple laptops and editing software.

Usher to Medina: ‘You’re Fired. Mom, You’re Hired.’

andPOP Staff — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 21:07:06 +0000

Usher has rehired his mother, Jonnetta Patton, as his manager, the pair told People.com.

Usher’s mother replaces Benny Medina, who replaced her back in May 2007. An unknown source told People Usher felt that he had “really poor management” and wanted his mother back to manage him professionally.

Usher has enjoyed success with his latest album, “Here I Stand,” with his debut single “Love In This Club” hitting #1 on the Billboard charts this year. However, he has not enjoyed the same amount of success as he did with his 2004 album “Confessions.” None of the other singles off the most recent album have cracked the Billboard top 10.

Medina defended his role as Usher’s manager by telling People in a statement: “With an artist like Usher, the bar is set really high. Whether it was management, marketing or the music, we achieved a #1 single and a #1 album,” he said. “It is a completely new day and time in music now.”