Wyclef Jean and Philadelphia 76ers Join for Day of Service at West Philadelphia High School
November 20, 2009
In connection with VILLA’s Big Serve community initiative, the area’s leading fashion retailer teamed up today with The Timberland Company, NBA Cares, The School District of Philadelphia and multiple Grammy Award-winning musician and humanitarian Wyclef Jean for a day of community service and school renovations at West Philadelphia High School. Through this unique partnership, West Philadelphia High students were invited to spend time with Wyclef, and basketball players and coaches from the Philadelphia 76ers in inspirational sessions about leadership, the power of sports to effect positive social change and community activism.
Beyonce is the Big Winner at the 2009 MTV Europe Music Awards
November 20, 2009
Beyonce was the big winner at the 2009 MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs), held at the O2 World in Berlin, Germany tonight. The global music icon walked away with three of the night’s biggest awards — Best Female, Best Song, (”Halo”) and Best Video, (”Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)”). She had been nominated for four EMAs, including Best Live Act. The win for Best Video repeats her win at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), held in New York last September 13. Beyonce used the occasion in Berlin to thank her husband, Jay-Z for “putting a ring on it.”
Wyclef Jean to Receive RFK Center for Justice & Human Rights’ Ripple of Hope Award
November 20, 2009
The Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights today announced that Bono and Wyclef Jean will receive the organization’s 2009 Ripple of Hope Award. The award, which will be presented at the Center’s annual dinner on November 18th, recognizes the bold leadership demonstrated by the two honorees on humanitarian issues.
“As champions of justice, Bono and Wyclef have brought the national spotlight to human rights violations, empowered local activists, and transformed the lives of millions of people living in poverty from Port-Au-Prince to Darfur,” said Kerry Kennedy, founder of the RFK Center for Justice and Human Rights. “Their efforts evoke the spirit of my father and we are honored to recognize them.”
JAY-Z BP3 Confirms 2010 North American Tour Dates
November 18, 2009
In the midst of his first college tour, promoting his latest #1 album The Blueprint 3 and his recently released video game sensation “DJ Hero: Renegade Edition,” the unstoppable JAY-Z confirms North American tour dates for 2010’s BP3 tour. The second leg of the Live Nation-produced tour will begin on February 22nd in Houston, Texas at the Toyota Center with more dates to be announced soon. JAY-Z will be joined by Grammy-nominated rapper Young Jeezy who will open all dates on the tour. Tickets go on sale beginning November 13th at LiveNation.com in select markets.
Soundtrack to the highly anticipated movie “Precious” set to be released
November 18, 2009
Lionsgate Music, the music arm of Lionsgate the leading next generation studio, in association with Matriarch/Geffen Records, will release the official soundtrack for Lee Daniels’ highly anticipated, prize-winning film PRECIOUS: BASED ON THE NOVEL “PUSH” BY SAPPHIRE. The soundtrack will be available online November 3rd and in stores November 23rd. It was produced by Daniels along with Mary J. Blige, whose new song “I Can See In Color” will be the first single. The track has already garnered raves, with Rolling Stone extolling it as “…a knockout song…expressing the goal of Precious to see the world in color.” Other artists featured on the star-studded soundtrack include Queen Latifah, Mahalia Jackson and Grace Hightower. According to Daniels, these artists were selected because they “resonate not only in Precious’ world, but speak to your soul no matter who you are.”
Michael Jackson Hits No. 1 On Billboard 200 With ‘This Is It’
November 18, 2009
To the surprise of probably nobody, Michael Jackson’s “This Is It” will debut atop the Billboard 200 albums chart released today (Nov. 4) with an eye-popping 373,000 copies according to Nielsen SoundScan — the fifth-best sales week for an album in the U.S. this year.
The companion album to the musical documentary film of the same name is Jackson’s sixth No. 1 on the tally and it arrives with his best sales frame for an album since 1995’s “HIStory” started atop the Billboard 200 with 391,000 copies.
FUTURE Grammy STARS Produced by OCTANE-Records-Music.com
November 15, 2009
Hear the difference at Octane Records with signed Recording Artists that now include the following New Artists: Aziel, Jailbird, HUD, Heath, Mr. Rakafela, Maggot Brain, and Octane featuring Shock G, Humpty Hump, Snoop Dogg, and produced By Brent DeRocher for Octane Records.
Most people will never forget Aziel for his chart-topping hit “Fall In Love Again.” The day it hit KCCN FM 100, Hawaii’s premier radio station, it immediately made its way onto the daily “Top 5 at 5,” becoming the number-one most requested song for six weeks. Another hit followed – a remake of Stevie Wonder’s “Ribbon In The Sky.” Listeners couldn’t get enough of Aziel’s silky R&B voice. Aziel is currently seeking full radio rotation on all mainstream USA radio stations for his album “Take You Away” that features music-writing and production by multi-platinum legendary songwriter LeRoy Martez Bell, and music writer Linton Weems. With several hit songs and “GROUNDBREAKING” industry sound, this project commands a space within the R&B community.
Glamour Magazine Honors Rihanna as 2009 Glamour Woman of the Year
November 15, 2009
In her first interview of the year, Rihanna opens up about the past year, how it inspired her new album and her message to girls. For her courageous comeback and philanthropy, the magazine will honor Rihanna as a Glamour Woman of the Year at its gala awards ceremony at Carnegie Hall on Monday, November 9.
For Glamour’s December issue, Rihanna joins 11 other inspiring Women of the Year winners featured in the magazine, on newsstands November 10. Known mostly for her iconic style and original sound, Rihanna also talks about her passion working on the Believe Foundation, a fund she started in 2006 to provide educational and medical supplies to needy children.
“Rihanna’s clearly a superstar for her music and style alone — but in breaking her silence about what she calls the ‘big secret’ of domestic violence, she’s also sending an important message to young women that they too can move on, and succeed, after personal challenges,” says Glamour editor-in-chief Cindi Leive.
Hip-Hop Group Audio Push Hit the Road With Chris Brown and Release Their Soundcheck Mixtape
November 10, 2009
Roz Music/Geffen recording artists Audio Push has it all under control. Having gained recognition through their song and video for “Teach Me How To Jerk,” the young (18 & 19 yrs old) group has been given a platform to show that they are more than just a jerk group. They rap, dance, sing, and write all their material. Hailing from the Inland Empire, these two emcees may be young-guns in the hip hop game, but they are approaching their career and success with ease and confidence. Their video for “Teach Me How To Jerk” won the Freshmen contest on MTVU and was later added into rotation. You can also catch the video on MTV Jams and BET. Read more
Hip Hop Artist Travis McCoy Explores His Life-changing Journey in Support of HIV/AIDS Campaign
November 4, 2009
Staying Alive, MTV Networks International’s global HIV and AIDS prevention and awareness campaign, has produced a new TV documentary, Travis McCoy’s Unbeaten Track, which shows first hand how young people are fighting back against the spread of HIV within their communities in South Africa, the Philippines and India.
The special will air on MTV’s global networks of 64 channels, reaching 632 million households on World AIDS Day December 1, 2009 (check local listings for times). It will also be made available rights and cost free to broadcasters around the world. Read more
