Justin Bieber Allegedly Caught Spraying Graffiti in Brazil

 
The website of Brazil's biggest news outlet published photos Wednesday it says show pop star Justin Bieber spray painting graffiti on a wall. And it adds that police want to question him about it.
The O Globo newspaper reported that photographers snapped photos of Bieber as he painted graffiti on a wall of the former Hotel Nacional in Rio de Janeiro Tuesday morning.
Defacing buildings is a crime in Brazil punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine.
O Globo said police went to the mansion Bieber rented in Rio to question him, but he was not there.
Phone calls and emails to the police department for more details went unanswered. Calls and emails to Bieber representatives Melissa Victor, Nick Styne and Aaron Rosenberg were not returned.
According to the Globo TV network Bieber flew out of Brazil Wednesday afternoon on a private jet and went to Paraguay, where he was scheduled to perform.
In the Colombian capital of Bogota, where he performed last week, Bieber upset authorities when he spray-painted graffiti on a wall along one of the capital city's main avenues while being escorted by officers in a police car.

Kanye West Pleads Not Guilty in Battery Case

 

Kanye West has pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor battery and attempted grand theft in a case filed over a scuffle with a celebrity photographer earlier this year.

Attorney Blair Berk entered the plea on the rapper's behalf Thursday in a Los Angeles court. West was charged with two misdemeanors in September over a July altercation with paparazzo Daniel Ramos at Los Angeles International Airport.

Prosecutors declined to file felony charges against West, but decided to pursue the misdemeanors. Each carries a penalty of up to six months in jail or a $1,000 fine.

Ramos claims West punched him in an unprovoked attack and wrestled his camera to the ground on July 19.

West's case is due back in court on Jan. 23.

Obamacare and Miley Cyrus Tweaked at CMAs

 

The CMA Awards addressed a recent outbreak of feuding in Nashville and tweaked Miley Cyrus' twerking, Julianne Hough's blackface scandal and Obamacare's registration woes during a playful opening skit featuring hosts Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood Wednesday night.

CMA Awards 2013: 13 Things You Didn't See on TV

Set to War's "Why Can't We Be Friends," the perennial hosts referenced Zac Brown's comments in September that Luke Bryan's latest hit, "That's My Kind of Night," is "the worst song I've ever heard."

"Luke Bryan and Zac Brown, nobody cares. You both make great records and you're both millionaires!" they sang while Bryan and Brown hugged it out in the crowd. "Kanye hates Kimmel and the Jonas Brothers aren't getting along. Sinead hates Miley and Tom Petty hates us all."

Later in the song, the pair change their tune and decide feuds are cool, enlisting Kellie Pickler to hand out enemy assignments to various attendees. Kenny Rogers is now feuding with Paisley and, in an edgy move, Darius Rucker must trade venom with Julianne Hough, who received backlash last month by donning blackface at a Halloween party.

At some point, Paisley "twerked" his back -- a second reference to Cyrus, who is Dolly Parton's godchild -- and needed to stop the song. Cue the joshing of the glitchy rollout for President Obama's Affordable Care Act (ACA), better known as Obamacare.

"Hey, do you have that Obamacare?" Underwood asked her hurt co-host. "Oh it's great! I started signing up last Thursday and I’m almost done. Let's get you to the website and get you signed up. … This can't be too hard right?"

Set to George Strait's "Amarillo By Morning," the new song took Obamacare's wonky website to task and showed a willingness of producers to get overtly political, but in a way that appeared to safely cater to the traditionally right-leaning country music community.

Obamacare by morning
Why is this taking so long?
I'm going to wind up with hemorrhoids
If I sit here 'til dawn.
We’ll have cataracts and dementia
Oh this is getting on my last nerve.
Obamacare by morning
Over six people served.

The new "hit song" was quickly picked up by a few conservative media outlets, including Town Hall, Power Line and the Heritage Foundation's blog.

Later, Underwood and Paisley parodied Cyrus and Robin Thicke's MTV VMA performance of "Blurred Lines" with a new song called "Duck Blind." They were joined by the Robertson family of "Duck Dynasty" fame. Viewers got an eyeful of Willie twerking on Underwood during the song.

Cyrus was brought up yet again later in the show by Paisley, who gave Taylor Swift props for making it in music "without humping a teddy bear or grinding against Beetlejuice," a reference to Thicke's striped outfit and other elements from the VMAs.

Chris Brown Countersues Man in Frank Ocean Altercation

 
Chris Brown has countersued a man who accused the R&B star's entourage of attacking him outside a recording studio earlier this year.
The singer filed an assault and battery lawsuit Wednesday against Sha'keir Duarte, who claimed in an earlier suit that he was injured when a fight erupted between Brown and Frank Ocean's entourages in January outside a West Hollywood studio.
Duarte sued Brown in August and accused the singer of being the aggressor in the fight. Brown's countersuit however accuses Duarte of instigating the fight by pushing, kicking and punching the R&B singer and threatening to kill him.
Brown, 24, is seeking unspecified damages.
Duarte's attorney Joseph Porter III did not immediately return a phone message seeking comment.
No criminal charges were filed over the fight, but Brown may face criminal penalties after he was arrested last month in Washington, D.C. for allegedly punching a man outside a hotel.
Brown remains on probation for his 2009 attack on then-girlfriend Rihanna and is due for a hearing in Los Angeles on Nov. 20, during which the new case may be addressed. Brown spent a day and a half in custody and faces a misdemeanor battery charge over the incident.
The R&B singer entered rehab for anger management issues on Oct. 29.

Dolly Parton Raps, References Miley During 'Queen Latifah Show' Spot

 
Dolly Parton: singer, amusement park magnate, actress... and rapper?
The country star is putting in an appearance on Queen Latifah's talk show next Monday (Oct. 21) to promote her appearance in a new Christmas film, and according to a preview video clip posted to Latifah's YouTube page today, she's getting in touch with her hip-hop side as well.
Donning an enormous afro and some enormous gold chains, since that's apparently a quintessential aspect of having a rap game, the 67-year-old Parton rhymes her way through a short rap that includes Parton telling Latifah to "stick that in her pipe and smoke it," as well as a quick reference to Miley Cyrus and twerking.
"I'm tweaking," she laughs, "I'm working, I'm twerking. Hey Miley, I've got your wrecking balls right here." One can probably guess what body part to which she's referring.
Parton's "Queen Latifah Show" spot comes ahead of "A Country Christmas Story," the new Lifetime film the country artist is set to star in. On the Monday broadcast, she'll also perform "Miss You Miss Me" from the movie, which premieres Nov. 9.

Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin Among Artists on 'A Very Special Christmas: Icon'

 
The King of Rock 'n' Roll and the Queen of Soul are just two of 11 acts gracing the tracklist of "A Very Special Christmas: Icon," the latest in a long line of compilation discs benefiting the Special Olympics.
The "A Very Special Christmas" holiday series celebrates its 26th year in 2013 with the release of the album, dating back to its first compilation in 1987. The album will see an Oct. 15 release through Universal.
Presley and Franklin are joined by a flurry of artists on the album -- with certain inclusions representing classic hits in the Christmas genre, including Presley's "Blue Christmas," Wham!'s "Last Christmas" and John Lennon & Yoko Ono's "Happy Xmas (War is Over).



"Happy Xmas (War Is Over); was our holiday wish for a more peaceful world, so I am happy it's part of 'A Very Special Christmas,'" Ono said about her song's inclusion in the project. "Special Olympics shows us how a more peaceful world could work, a world in which every person is valued and given the opportunity to live as full a life as possible, with the help and encouragement of a loving community."
Other artists featured on the compilation include Sting, Carrie Underwood, Josh Groban, Rod Stewart, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, Sheryl Crow and Jon Bon Jovi.
Also included in the international release and available digitally is a new recording of "O Holy Night" by former Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger.
"I love sharing my passion for music to support a cause as fantastic as Special Olympics and really enjoyed spending time with Special Olympics athlete Greg Silvester, whose generous spirit is contagious," Scherzinger said. "Special Olympics athletes, like Greg, are the stars… great messengers of love and peace. It is their bright light that shines so strong, for which I am grateful."
Since its inception, the series has raised royalties of $116 million supporting Special Olympics programs, with $38 million in grants for promotion of the games in countries around the world.
A full tracklist is below:
1. John Lennon & Yoko Ono/Plastic Ono Band feat. Harlem Community Choir, "Happy Xmas (War is Over)
2. Rod Stewart, "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!"
3. Sting, "I Saw Three Ships"
4. Aretha Franklin, "Winter Wonderland"
5. Josh Groban, "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear"
6. Jon Bon Jovi, "Please Be Home for Christmas"
7. Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, "Christmas All Over Again"
8. Sheryl Crow, "Run Rudolph Run"
9. Elvis Presley, "Blue Christmas"
10. Carrie Underwood, "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing"
11. Wham!, "Last Christmas"
12. Nicole Scherzinger, "O Holy Night" (International Version, Digitally in U.S.)

'Country Bumpkin' Singer Cal Smith Dies at 81

 

Cal Smith -- who enjoyed a rich country career with some of the biggest hits of the 1960s and 1970s, passed away yesterday at his home near Branson, Missouri. He was 81.

Smith was born Calvin Grant Shofner on April 7, 1932 in Gans, Oklahoma. However, as many did in the Great Depression, Smith's family headed west – settling in Oakland, California. He began his music career by performing at San Francisco's Remember Me Cafe in 1947. Unable to make a steady income as a musician, he also turned to other jobs, such as truck driving and the rodeo.

Smith enlisted in the military in the mid 1950s. Upon his discharge, he returned to the Bay area where he began playing in a local band. Country superstar Ernest Tubb heard the band play one night, and offered Smith a job playing guitar for his Texas Troubadours band. Not only a road band for Tubb, the group also backed him on his Decca recordings, so Smith was working plenty of Tubb's sessions as well.

Smith's vocals were brought to the attention of Kapp Records, who signed him in 1966. His debut single for the label, "I'll Just Go Home," failed to chart, but his second release, "The Only Thing I Want," hit the Billboard Country Singles chart in January 1967 – peaking at No. 58.

Subsequent releases would fare better for Smith, who left the Tubb show in 1969 – the same year he hit the top-40 for the first time with "Drinking Champagne" (later covered by George Strait). He moved to Decca in 1971, and hit the top ten for the first time with a cover of the Free Movement's "I've Found Someone Of My Own," a No. 4 release from the spring of 1972. By years' end, he would release "The Lord Knows I'm Drinking," a song written by Bill Anderson. It would become his first number one record in March 1973.

As big as that record was, it was nothing compared to his next major hit. "Country Bumpkin," a story song in the classic country tradition, was released in early 1974 – hitting the top in May. It netted him a CMA Award for Single Record of the Year, and also won the Song of the Year trophy for writer Don Wayne, as well.

The song was a favorite of many -- including a young Garth Brooks. During a mid 1990s appearance on TNN's "Music City Tonight," the singer said that "Country Bumpkin" was his favorite country song – prompting Smith to give Brooks the CMA trophy he won for the song.

Another fan of Smith's was Loretta Lynn. In her 2002 autobiography "Still Woman Enough," the singer admitted to having a crush on Smith during her stint as duet partner with Ernest Tubb – claiming that husband Mooney would sometimes get jealous of the singer.

Cal Smith topped the charts for a third and final time with 1975's "It's Time To Pay The Fiddler," yet remained on the charts throughout the 1970s. One of his last major hits was his original version of "I Just Came Home To Count The Memories," a No. 15 hit from 1977 that helped put John Anderson on the map five years later. His last appearance on the charts was 1986's "King Lear," which peaked at No. 75 on the Step One label.

Smith is survived by wife Darlene, five children, and fifteen grandchildren

Will.i.am: 'Work Bitch' Reflects Britney Spears More Than Her New Album

 

"We felt that song needed to come out to keep the foundation on what Britney represents," the Black Eyed Peas frontman tells Paduamusicals.

Britney Spears' latest single "Work Bitch" flies back into the Top 20 of the Hot 100 this week -- thanks, in part, to the debut of its steamy music video. The kinetic dance single precedes Spears' eighth studio album, due out Dec. 3, but executive producer Will.i.am tells paduamusicals that the new full-length doesn't necessarily take all of its cues from the vibe of "Work Bitch."
"That song is a reflection of Britney moreso than the album," Will.i.am told paduamusicals on Thursday morning (Oct. 10) after helping to announce the American Music Award nominations in New York. "The album is what the album is, but we felt that song needed to come out to keep the foundation on what Britney represents. But it shouldn't reflect the album -- an album is a body of work as a collective. If we had to pick a song like, 'Oh, what song fits every color of the record,' you shouldn't do that… We felt that song represents 'Piece of Me,' that Britney oomph."
"Work Bitch" jumps to No. 13 on this week's Hot 100 chart and re-enters the Streaming Songs chart at No. 10… but compared to her last lead single, the "Femme Fatale" burner "Hold It Against Me," the new track is lagging a bit behind on the charts. When asked about the fan response to his work with Spears (including their Top 5 collaboration "Scream & Shout"), Will.i.am said that, while he respects the pop icon's army of fans, he also hopes to challenge her creatively and explore new avenues for her music.

Pop Shop Podcast: Britney Spears' Latest Hot 100 Moves Explained

"You can't always be dictated by what the fan base demands, because it means that the artist probably won't grow," says Will.i.am. "You have to have one foot in 'I want to honor the fan base,' and then the other foot in 'Let's see this potential where we can go.' And hopefully, the fans -- if we mind the chatter -- will accept and appreciate where we ended up."
Since debuting online last week, the official "Work Bitch" clip has garnered 25 million VEVO views. Spears' 'Piece of Me' Las Vegas residency kicks off on Dec. 27 at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino.

Vixen Guitarist Jan Kuehnemund Dead at 51

 

Jan Kuehnemund, the founding member and lead guitarist for the all-female glam metal band Vixen, passed away on Thursday, Oct. 10 after a long battle with cancer. She was 51. An official statement has not been released.

Kuehnemund was born on November 18, 1961 in St. Paul, Minnesota and formed Vixen in high school. She and singer Janet Gardner moved the band to Los Angeles in 1985 and, within two years, the classic lineup was formed with Roxy Petrucci on drums and Share Pedersen on bass. The band was later signed to EMI.

Vixen's self-titled debut was released in 1988 and spawned two hit singles, "Cryin'" and "Edge of a Broken Heart." The group appeared in the Penelope Spheerisfilm, The Decline of Western Civilization II: The Metal Years, and its videos were featured heavily on MTV.

Vixen followed up their breakout success with Rev It Up in 1990, which yielded two singles, "Love Is A Killer" and "How Much Love." The album did not have the same impact as the band's debut, however, and they were dropped shortly after. 

Vixen disbanded for several years but reformed with various new members until Kuehnemund returned in 2001. The band had a brief reunion of the classic lineup for VH1's Bands Reunited in 2004, but soon went their separate ways. Kuehnemund continued as Vixen with new members and Gardner, Petrucci and Pedersen formed JanetShareRoxyGina (aka JSRG) with new guitarist Gina Stile.

Miley Cyrus, Robin Thicke, Macklemore to Headline Inaugural Jingle Ball National Tour

 

The celebration of all things pop and Christmas will hit 12 U.S. cities -- and the CW Network -- in December.

Jingle Ball, the annual Christmas celebration hosted by such pop stations as New York's Z100 and Los Angeles' KIIS-FM, is taking its superstar lineup on the road.
As first announced by Clear Channel in September, the radio giant, via its high-priority iHeartRadio app, will host a series of Jingle Ball concerts in Dallas, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Seattle, Chicago, Minneapolis, Atlanta, New York, Boston, Washington D.C., Tampa and Miami.
Topping the bill at for these major market shows are the likes of Miley Cyrus, Robin Thicke, Ariana Grande, Austin Mahone, Flo Rida, Selena Gomez, Enrique Iglesias, Jason Derulo, Fifth Harmony, and One Republic. In addition, the Z100 concert will be featured on the CW Network as a two-hour special airing Dec. 18.
See the full Jingle Ball Tour schedule below:
Dallas, Texas ­
Monday, Dec. 2 at American Airlines Center
On the bill: Robin Thicke, Ariana Grande, Austin Mahone, Flo Rida, Selena Gomez, Enrique Iglesias, Jason Derulo, Fifth Harmony, One Republic (www.1061kissfm.com)
Philadelphia, Penn.
Wednesday, Dec. 4 at Wells Fargo Center
On the bill: Robin Thicke, Flo Rida, Fall Out Boy, Austin Mahone, Paramore, Avril Lavigne, Fifth Harmony, Jason Derulo, Icona Pop (www.q102.com)
Los Angeles, Calif.
­ Friday, Dec. 6, at Staples Center
On the bill: Miley Cyrus, Mackelmore & Ryan Lewis, Selena Gomez, Enrique Iglesias, Robin Thicke, Ariana Grande, Austin Mahone, Jason Derulo, Fifth Harmony, Travie McCoy, Chris Brown (www.kiisfm.com)
Seattle, Wash.
­ Sunday, Dec. 8, at Comcast Arena
On the bill: Selena Gomez, Flo Rida, Fall Out Boy, Icona Pop, Fifth Harmony, Travie McCoy, New Politics, Austin Mahone (www.kissfmseattle.com)
Chicago, Ill. ­
Monday, Dec. 9 at United Center
On the bill: Robin Thicke, Chris Brown, Enrique Iglesias, Flo Rida, Icona Pop, Avril Lavigne, Travie McCoy, Fifth Harmony (www.1035KISSFM.com)
Minneapolis, Minn. ­
Tuesday, Dec. 10 at Xcel Energy Center
On the bill: Robin Thicke, Miley Cyrus, Enrique Iglesias, Flo Rida, Fall Out Boy, Ariana Grande, Austin Mahone, Fifth Harmony (www.kdwb.com)
Atlanta, Georgia
­ Wednesday, Dec. 11 at Philips Arena
On the bill: Robin Thicke, Miley Cyrus, Pitbull, Flo Rida, Travie McCoy, Fifth Harmony, Armin Van Buuren, Bonnie McKee (www.power961.com)
New York City
­ Friday, Dec. 13 at Madison Square Garden
On the bill: Miley Cyrus, Robin Thicke, Pitbull, Enrique Iglesias, Fall Out Boy, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Selena Gomez, Fifth Harmony, Ariana Grande, Jason Derulo, Austin Mahone (www.z100.com)
Boston
­ Saturday, Dec. 14 at TD Bank Garden
On the bill: Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez, Fall Out Boy, Enrique Iglesias, Robin Thicke, Fifth Harmony, Flo Rida (www.kiss108.com)
Washington, D.C. ­
Monday, Dec. 16, at Verizon Center
On the bill: Miley Cyrus, Austin Mahone, Robin Thicke, Enrique Iglesias, Fall Out Boy, Paramore, Jason Derulo, Fifth Harmony, Flo Rida (www.hot995.com)
Tampa Bay, Fla. ­
Wednesday, Dec. 18 at Tampa Bay Times Forum
On the bill: Miley Cyrus, Robin Thicke, Enrique Iglesias, Flo Rida, Paramore, Austin Mahone, Ariana Grande, Jason Derulo, Fifth Harmony, Travie McCoy (www.933flz.com)
Miami
Friday, Dec. 20, at BB&T Center
On the bill: Miley Cyrus, Avril Lavigne, Ariana Grande, Robin Thicke, Demi Lovato, Armin Van Buuren, Enrique Iglesias, Fall Out Boy, Flo Rida, Austin Mahone, Jason Derulo, Fifth Harmony

Pharrell Williams Marries Longtime Girlfriend In Miami

Pharrell Williams has capped off an incredible professional year with a momentous personal moment. The 40-year-old producer, songwriter and performer married his longtime girlfriend, model/designer Helen Lasichanh, at a Miami ceremony on Saturday (Oct. 12).
The "Get Lucky" singer hosted several famous pals at the wedding, including Busta Rhymes and Usher; according to Us Weekly, the rapper and R&B star performed a "mini-concert" during the reception. A handful of Williams-helmed hits were also played throughout the ceremony.

Pharrell Williams' Resume: The History of a N.E.R.D.

Williams and Lasichanh already share a son, 4-year-old Rocket, who was born in November 2008. The producer wrote the song "Rocket's Theme" for the 2010 "Despicable Me" soundtrack in honor of his son.
The veteran producer scored a pair of massive hits this summer with Daft Punk's "Get Lucky," which peaked at No. 2 on the Hot 100 chart, and Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines," which topped Billboard's Song of the Summer chart. Pharrell recently scored credits on Miley Cyrus' "Bangerz" album and Pusha T's solo debut "My Name Is My Name."

Rihanna's Tweets Lead to Arrest at Thai Sex Show

Thai authorities have arrested a bar owner in connection with a lewd sex show mentioned in racy tweets by pop star Rihanna during her recent trip to Thailand, officials said Monday, two weeks after an Instagram photo of Rihanna with a protected primate led to the arrest of two other men.

Officials on the island of Phuket, 420 miles south of Bangkok, said Monday the bar owner faced charges of obscenity and operating an entertainment venue without a permit.

Rihanna's tweets, published on Sept. 21, described a bizarre scene at the bar:

Local district chief Weera Kerdsirimongkon said the man was arrested Saturday as part of a crackdown on shows featuring naked dancers.

"Authorities found out about this bar the morning after Rihanna tweeted about it, but we were not able to catch them violating the law until Saturday night,” Weera said. “We had been waiting for them and finally caught them red-handed."

Weera said the bar owner could face up to one month's imprisonment and a fine of up to 60,000 baht ($1,900).

Rihanna Takes Selfie With Protected Primate in Thailand

This isn’t the first arrest triggered by Rihanna’s postings on social media. A photo of her with a slow loris, a squirrel-like animal with big eyes, on Instagram led local police to arrest a 20-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy, who could face charges of possession of protected animals. The charge carries a penalty of up to four years in prison and a 40,000 baht ($1,300) fine.

Rick Ross Talks Reebok Partnership, Jay-Z & 'Self Made 3' Album

 
Even though Rick Ross lost his deal with Reebok this year, the Miami-based rapper continues to sport and promote the sneaker brand.
"I'm still supporting Reebok. I'm still wearing Reebok," he said in an interview last week. "It's nothing more than that. I've been wearing Reebok my whole life. ...Still got nothing but love for Reebok."
The burly, husky-voiced Ross became known for his colorful and heavy lyrics, rapping about the grimy street life, money, luxury cars and women. But the Grammy-nominated performer took things too far on Rocko's song, "U.O.E.N.O," where he raps about giving a woman the drug MDMA, known as Molly, and having his way with her. Petitions were issued by women's groups and rape victims.

Opinion: Rick Ross' 'U.O.E.N.O.' Lyric Condones Rape Despite Denial

Reebok terminated its contract with Ross in April following the heavy criticism.
But Ross says he has moved on and learned from the setback. In a recent interview with The Associated Press, the 37-year-old talked about Reebok, his acting career — he appears in the Starz drama "Magic City" — his relationship with Jay-Z and his compilation album, "Rick Ross Presents: Self Made 3," released Tuesday.
____
AP: What did you learn from your setback with Reebok?
Ross: You live and you learn. I think the most unfortunate thing about the whole situation was just the fact that my lyrics offended some ladies, especially dealing with the topic of rape. It was interpreted as rape. I really wanted to make sure that I apologize to any woman that I offended in that way. I just wanted to make that clear. When I make music and I'm talking on records, it's like I'm painting a picture. In my mind, I'm seeing a film. I apologize.
How did the women close to you feel about the situation?
They know where I stand as far as women. They know the level of respect I have for women. With my mother being the most beautiful woman in the world, she knows where I'm coming from.
Jay-Z has supported you since he signed you to Def Jam in 2006. How has he helped you through your maturation?
He's been a part of pretty much every project I've put together as a solo artist. He's always been there any time I've made a call. It's just an array of things I've learned from him outside of music, like handling business and money. ...I come from down South where I want the music, bass and the beats that shake the walls. Hov talked to me about performing (and) what live music brings to the table.
This is your label's third compilation album and it mainly features you, Wale and Meek Mill. Why do you think it's beneficial to release a compilation album?
When you see compilations like this, you see longevity. With us, we have people who are on top of their game. But we want to bring more artists into the fold, and give young artists an opportunity to be on the same playing field with us. That in itself speaks volumes to someone at home chasing their dreams.
What was going through your mind when you first saw yourself on "Magic City" as the character Butterball?
Honestly, when I saw myself come out from around that corner, I was really amazed by how handsome I looked. It's like I got to see myself outside of seeing myself. I said to myself, 'Wow, that's an attractive (expletive) there. Not to mention, he's rich.' I just kind of laughed at myself. All the calls I had coming in, everybody was (messing) with me, picking at me and saying how I charged out to the car. They said I was talking like I was not me. I told them, 'So what ... I'm a boss.'
Do you want to act more?
I think it's super cool when you're able to act, but I'm really exciting if it's something I'm a fan of. There are a lot of films that I see and like today, but it doesn't necessarily make me want to be a part of it. Even if I had the opportunity or the offers, I could pass. I've passed on many films and lost checks, but that's not what drives me to act. On "Magic City," in particular, it's a show pertaining to my city (Miami). Once I began watching it, I became a fan.

Kendrick Lamar In the Running for Six Soul Train Awards

 
Kendrick Lamar is the top nominee for the Soul Train Awards.
The rapper is up for six awards, including album of the year for "good kid, m.A.A.d city" and song and video of the year for "Poetic Justice." R&B singers Justin Timberlake, Miguel, Robin Thicke, Chris Brown and Tamar Braxton follow with five nominations each.
The latest albums from Lamar, Timberlake and Miguel will battle efforts from Jay-Z, Rihanna and Fantasia for album of the year. Lamar's other nominations include best new artist, hip-hop song of the year and collaboration.
The Soul Train Awards will be presented Nov. 8 at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. The awards will air Dec. 1 on BET and Centric.
Actor-comedian Anthony Anderson will host the show.
See a complete list of nominees below:
Best New Artist
Bridget Kelly
K. Michelle
Kendrick Lamar
Tamar Braxton
TGT

Centric Certified Award
Joss Stone
Luke James
Lyfe Jennings
Solange
Stacy Barthe
Talib Kweli

Best Gospel/Inspirational Performance
Break Every Chain - Tasha Cobbs
Confessions- Lecrae
Every Praise - Hezekiah Walker
God Will Make Away - Shirley Caesar
If He Did It Before…Same God - Tye Tribbett
Life & Favor - John P. Kee & New Life

Best Hip-Hop Song of the Year
Bad - Wale feat. Tiara Thomas
High School - Nicki Minaj feat. Lil Wayne
Holy Grail - Jay Z feat. Justin Timberlake
Poetic Justice - Kendrick Lamar feat. Drake
Power Trip - J. Cole feat. Miguel
Started From the Bottom - Drake

The Chaka Khan Best R&B/Soul Female Artist
Alicia Keys
Chrisette Michele
Fantasia
Janelle Monáe
Kelly Rowland
Tamar Braxton

Best R&B/Soul Male Artist
Bruno Mars
Charlie Wilson
Chris Brown
John Legend
Miguel
Robin Thicke

Album of the Year
20/20 Experience, The – Justin Timberlake
Good Kid, m.A.A.d City – Kendrick Lamar
Kaleidoscope Dream - Miguel
Magna Carta… Holy Grail – Jay Z
The Side Effects of You - Fantasia
Unapologetic - Rihanna

Song of the Year
Blurred Lines – Robin Thicke feat. Pharrell & T.I.
Diamonds -Rihanna
Fine China – Chris Brown
Love and War – Tamar Braxton
Poetic Justice – Kendrick Lamar feat. Drake
Suit & Tie – Justin Timberlake feat. Jay Z

The Ashford and Simpson Songwriter’s Award
Crooked Smile – J.Cole (Jermaine Cole, Meleni Smith)
Fire We Make – Alicia Keys feat. Maxwell (Gary Clark Jr., Warren Felder, Alicia Keys, Andrew Wansel)
Lose to Win – Fantasia (Francine Golde, Dennis Lambert, Andrea Martin, Walter Orange, Harmony Samuels)
Love & War – Tamar Braxton (Tamar Braxton, Darhyl Camper Jr., LaShawn Daniels, Makeba Riddick)
Mirrors – Justin Timberlake (James Fauntleroy, Jerome Harmon, Timothy Mosley, Justin Timberlake)
Q.U.E.E.N. – Janelle Monae feat. Erykah Badu (Roman GianArthur Irvin , Dr. Nathaniel Irvin III, Charles Joseph II, Janelle Monáe Robinson, Kellis Parker Jr.)

Best Dance Performance
Blurred Lines – Robin Thicke
Body Party - Ciara
Fine China – Chris Brown
Q.U.E.E.N. – Janelle Monáe feat. Erykah Badu
Suit & Tie – Justin Timberlake feat. Jay Z
Treasure – Bruno Mars

Video of the Year
Blurred Lines – Robin Thicke feat. Pharrell & T.I. (Diane Martel)
Fine China – Chris Brown (Chris Brown, Sylvain White)
Love & War – Tamar Braxton (Walid Azami)
Poetic Justice – Kendrick Lamar feat. Drake (The Lil Homie, Dave Free, and Dangeroo Kipawaa)
Q.U.E.E.N. – Janelle Monae feat. Erykah Badu (Alan Ferguson)
Started from the Bottom – Drake (Director X)

Best Collaboration
Alicia Keys feat. Maxwell – Fire We Make
Brandy feat. Chris Brown – Put It Down
J.Cole feat. Miguel – Power Trip
Janelle Monae feat. Erykah Badu – Q.U.E.E.N.
Miguel feat. Kendrick Lamar – How Many Drinks
Robin Thicke feat. Pharrell & T.I. – Blurred Lines
Wale feat. Sam Dew – LoveHate Thing

Best International Performance (CENTRICTV.com)
Differentology - Bunji Garlin
The Fog - Machel Montano
Next To Me - Emeli Sande
Personally - P-Square
Ur Waist – Iyanya

Best Traditional Jazz Performance (CENTRICTV.com)
George Benson feat. Wynton Marsalis – Unforgettable
Jeffrey Osborne feat. Chaka Khan – Baby it’s Cold Outside
Tony Bennett feat. Marc Anthony – For Once In My Life
Nicole Henry – Waiting In Vain
Terence Blanchard – Pet Step Sister’s Theme Song

Best Contemporary Jazz Performance (CENTRICTV.com)
Jose James - Trouble
Boney James feat. Rick Braun – Batucada (The Beat)
Michael Bublé – It’s A Beautiful Day
Dave Koz – Got To Get You Into My Life
George Duke – Missing You
 
Best Independent R&B/Soul Performance (CENTRICTV.com)
Ashanti - Never Should Have
Brian McKnight - Sweeter
Kenny Lattimore - Find A Way
Maysa - Love Me Good
Raheem DeVaughn - Love Connection
Ronald Isley – Dinner And A Movie

Drake Reschedules 'Would You Like A Tour?' Dates

 

Drake is rescheduling some dates on his North American tour, Would You Like A Tour?

The reschedule changes are  "due to an intense rehearsal schedule and technical production requirements that will be part of the show," his reps say via press release.

Drake's Family Message: How 'Nothing Was the Same' Inspired Personal Reflection (Opinion)

The 39-city arena tour will now kick off October 18 in Pittsburgh, PA. Stops in Saskatoon, Winnipeg and Cleveland have been canceled due to the rescheduling. Refunds for the cancelled dates are available.
Before embarking on the tour, alongside Miguel and Future, Drake will perform at iHeartRadio Music Festival on Saturday (Sept. 21) in Vegas, perform on "The Ellen Degeneres Show" on Friday (Sept. 20) and be a guest on "Cheslea Lately" on Monday (Sept. 23).
On Sept. 24, the day his album, 'Nothing Was the Same," hits shelves and iTunes, Drake will make an in-store appearance at NYC Best Buy at 622 Broadway.
Below, check out the full list of Would You LIke A Tour? dates:
Oct 18 Pittsburgh, PA Consol Energy Center
Oct 19 Philadelphia, PAWells Fargo Center
Oct 21 Montreal, QC Bell Centre
Oct 22 Ottawa, ON Canadian Tire Centre
Oct 24 Toronto, ON Air Canada Centre
Oct 26 Hartford, CT XL Center
Oct 27 Newark, NJ Prudential Center
Oct 28 Brooklyn, NY Barclays Center
Oct 30 Boston, MA TD Garden
Oct 31 Washington, DC Verizon Center
Nov 2 Charlotte, NC Time Warner Cable Arena
Nov 3 Raleigh, NC PNC Arena
Nov 5 Miami, FL American Airlines Arena
Nov 6 Tampa, FL Tampa Bay Times Forum
Nov 7 Atlanta, GA Philips Arena
Nov 9 New Orleans, LA New Orleans Arena
Nov 10 Dallas. TX American Airlines Center
Nov 12 San Antonio, TX AT&T Center
Nov 13 Houston, TX Toyota Center
Nov 16 Phoenix, AZ US Airways Center
Nov 18 Sacramento, CA Sleep Train Arena
Nov 19 Oakland, CA Oracle Arena
Nov 21 Anaheim, CA Honda Center
Nov 22 Las Vegas, NV MGM Grand Hotel
Nov 24 San Diego, CA Viejas Arena
Nov 25 Los Angeles, CA STAPLES Center
Nov 28 Vancouver, BC Rogers Arena (Rescheduled date)
Nov 30 Calgary, AB Scotiabank Saddledome (Rescheduled date)
Dec 1 Edmonton, AB Rexall Place (Rescheduled date)
Dec 3 Portland, OR Rose Garden Arena (Rescheduled date)
Dec 4 Tacoma, WATacoma Dome (Rescheduled date)
Dec 7 Kansas City, MO Sprint Center (Rescheduled date)
Dec 8 Minneapolis, MN Target Center (Rescheduled date)
Dec 9 Indianapolis, IN Bankers Life Fieldhouse (Rescheduled date)
Dec 11 Saint Louis, MO Scottrade Center (Rescheduled date)
Dec 12 Chicago United Center (Rescheduled date)
Dec 13 Columbus, OH Nationwide Arena (Rescheduled date)
Dec 15 Buffalo, NY First Niagara Center (Rescheduled date)
Dec 16 Auburn Hills, MI The Palace of Auburn Hills (Rescheduled date)

Rihanna Takes Selfie With Protected Primate in Thailand; Animal Keepers Arrested

 
Pop star Rihanna spent a weekend at the beach in Thailand, leaving behind a trail of racy tweets and incriminating Instagram photographs that led police to arrest two people for allegedly peddling protected primates.
On a break from her Diamonds World Tour, Rihanna stopped in Thailand to visit the island of Phuket, where she befriended some local wildlife. She posted a link on Twitter to an Instagram photo that showed her in sunglasses snuggling up to a furry primate called the slow loris, and tweeted Friday: "Look who was talkin dirty to me!"
The slow loris, a squirrel-like animal with big eyes, is native to Southeast Asia and is listed as a protected species.
"Phuket authorities were alerted to the picture (of Rihanna), and last night police arrested the two individuals who brought out the loris as a photo opportunity for tourists," a Phuket district chief, Weera Kerdsirimongkon, said by telephone Sunday.
Police confiscated two lorises from the pair — a 20-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy — who could face charges of possession of protected animals. The charge carries a penalty of up to four years in prison and a 40,000 baht ($1,300) fine.
Weera said authorities have tried for years to crack down on the problem of vendors exploiting wildlife, particularly in popular tourist areas where people pay to pose for pictures with elephants, orangutans and other animals.
"It's like a cat-and-mouse game. But this time it's bigger because a celebrity like Rihanna posted the picture, and there were more than 200,000 'likes' from around the world," he said.
Rihanna also posted pictures of herself playing with a herd of elephants in the street Friday night, after which she tweeted: "They all hail Empress when She walk by."
On the same night, she tweeted a few unprintable comments about what she apparently witnessed at an adult show in one of Phuket's red-light districts.
Saturday's tweets were devoted to the beach and photographs of the singer in a black bikini on a boat surrounded by turquoise water with limestone cliffs in the distance.
Before leaving Thailand on Sunday, she tweeted from the airport: "Gave the immigration guy my passport and he handed me this in return without a word. Lol." It was a picture of the singer that said "I love Rihanna."
Her next stop was Singapore before heading to Australia and New Zealand

Common: 'We Got To Do More' About Chicago Violence

 

The hip-hop star is pushing for educational efforts and wants rappers to join the cause.

Grammy-award winning hip hop artist Common, who has openly worried about the violence in Chicago, was in his hometown Friday to help celebrate the city's music scene when he was confronted with a brutal reminder of what he's been talking about: a story about a hail of gunfire that wounded 13 people.
"It makes me think I got to do more; we got to do more," he said in an interview with The Associated Press after giving a speech as the keynote speaker at the Chicago Music Summit, a conference to help local musicians and music professionals with their careers.
Police say Thursday night's shooting appears to be gang related. For the 41-year-old Common, that underscores concerns that the edgy rap music of the generation of rappers that came behind him is not only providing the soundtrack for gangs, but might just be helping to fuel the fire of gang violence.
"To decide to take someone's life, I don't think they let a rap song determine that," he said, adding that rap artists simply reflect of the violence of the streets, and don't cause it. At the same time, he said, fans of young rappers, whose music provides a window into a violent lifestyle, are "influenced by that energy and take it the wrong way."
Common has thought about it enough to once suggest a "peace summit" with Chief Keef, a younger Chicago rapper whose music includes references to weapons and who was arrested after pointing a gun at police officers and after a video showed him firing a semi-automatic rifle at a gun range.
In fact, rap music made its way into Thursday's shooting. A relative of a 3-year-old boy who was shot in the face said the child's uncle was an aspiring rapper who was fatally shot in Chicago this month.
Such a link is not surprising to Grammy-winning rap artist, Che "Rhymefest" Smith. He said he believes that at the very least aspiring rappers who are living in poor neighborhoods see the display of a violent gang lifestyle as their route to riches and fame.
"What you get with a lot of young artists is if they gang bang on YouTube, pull guns and threaten someone else, this will give them a million YouTube views or 80,000 Twitter followers overnight," said Rhymefest, a Chicago resident who once ran for a seat on the City Council. "They see it as a check, a way to get paid and this way out of poverty."
Common said the key to ending the cycle of violence that rap music has been linked to for years is more educational programs and other initiatives, and that rap artists should help those programs in any way they can.
At the same time, Common, who has his own foundation that exposes disadvantaged young people to the creative arts, said that while he still believes a "peace summit" would be effective, it is only a first step.
"There has to be a consistent follow through," he said. "Young people ... some of them may not be in a place where they can say, `OK, I'm going to stop (violent behavior)'" he said. "It may be a process. You have to deal with that."

Testimony Ends in Michael Jackson Civil Trial

 

Closing arguments are expected to begin Tuesday as the case over the King of Pop's death heads for a conclusion.

Testimony ended Friday in a long-running lawsuit claiming the promoter of Michael Jackson's planned comeback concerts was negligent in hiring the doctor convicted of causing the death of the superstar.
Closing arguments were expected to begin on Tuesday, with the case possibly going to jurors later next week.
Lawyers for Katherine Jackson, who filed the suit involving her son, concluded testimony in the 21-week case after jurors heard from Michael Jackson's longtime personal physician, Dr. Allan Metzger, and his attorney.
Metzger testified about Jackson's skin conditions, burns and other injuries that required medical care by a variety of doctors. He also described Jackson's generosity.
Jackson died in 2009 at his rented mansion in Los Angeles while preparing for the "This Is It" shows in London. Dr. Conrad Murray was later convicted of involuntary manslaughter for giving him an overdose of the anesthetic propofol, a drug Jackson took to help him sleep.
Metzger considered Jackson a close friend and served as best man at the singer's wedding to Debbie Rowe.
Metzger said over two days of testimony that he thought Jackson engaged in some doctor shopping but only used prescription medications to treat legitimate pain.
"He needed it," Metzger said. "He didn't take it for joy."
The doctor was among more than 50 witnesses in the case that began on April 29 with opening statements.
Both sides introduced testimony from Metzger. Lawyers for AEG Live, the target of the lawsuit, played his videotaped testimony detailing Jackson's use of multiple doctors and his close friendship with the singer.
Attorneys for Jackson's mother called Metzger as a rebuttal witness to remind the jury about Jackson's generosity toward charities and the enormous pain he endured after his scalp was burned during a Pepsi commercial shoot in 1984.
In a twist, Metzger's attorney Eric George was the final witness and testified about how he came to represent the doctor after previously working for Rowe in the case.
George said he agreed to represent Metzger for a reduced rate after the doctor contacted him. He also said there was no conflict with his previous representation of Rowe.
AEG Live denies it hired Murray or bears any responsibility for the singer's death.
Also on Friday, Judge Yvettte Palazuelos ruled that Katherine Jackson was financially dependent to at least some extent on her son for necessities of life, and the family matriarch is entitled to damages if jurors find AEG Live liable for her son's death.

Michael Jackson Statue To Be Pulled From English Soccer Stadium

 
A divisive statue of Michael Jackson outside an English professional soccer club’s homeground is to be removed.
Businessman Mohamed Al Fayed commissioned the statue following Jackson's death in June 2009, with the intention for it to find a home at his Harrods store in London. Al Fayed sold Harrods in 2010, and the statue was erected outside the grounds of his Fulham Football Club.
At the time, Al Fayed told fans they could "go to hell" if they didn’t appreciate the gloved Jackson statue. Al Fayed insists Jackson was a fan of the club, and the artist attended a match in 1999.
Despite his best intentions, fans of the club didn’t warm to the Jackson tribute.
Al Fayed sold his stake in Fulham FC over the summer, and now the statue will be returned to him.
The club’s new owner has issued a statement explaining the decision, which was made after two months of dialog with the club’s fans. The removal of the statue at Craven Cottage stadium “is the right thing for Fulham Football Club,” the team’s new chairman Shahid Khan says.

It’s not the only time a larger-than-life likeness of Jackson has been a big talking point in London. In 1995, to promote the “HIStory” album, a giant statue of Jackson was floated down the Thames river.
The Tower Bridge was raised to let the 30-foot high statue pass through.

John Legend Marries Chrissy Teigen in Italy

After an engagement of nearly two years, John Legend has married his fiancee, supermodel Chrissy Teigen.
According to Us Weekly, the couple was wed Saturday (Sept. 14) at an intimate ceremony in Lake Como, a popular tourist retreat in northern Italy.
Legend and Teigen were joined by a slew of celebrity guests at the wedding, including Kanye West -- who executive produced Legend's newest album -- and Brooklyn Decker. The latter served as one of Teigen's bridesmaids.
The couple became engaged during a vacation in the Maldives in December 2011 after a four-year dating period.
His wedding caps off a solid few weeks for the R&B singer from Ohio. "Love in the Future," Legend's fourth studio album, was released last week to modest acclaim. The album debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200, selling 68,000 copies in its first week, according to data from Nielsen SoundScan.