BEYONCE, BRODY DISCUSS ‘CADILLAC’ KISS December 4, 2008

 

Darnell Martin, the writer/director of “Cadillac Records,” admitted at Monday’s premiere that she took some “dramatic license” in creating a make-out scene between Etta James and the head of her label, Leonard Chess.      

       But, Adrien Brody, who plays Mr. Chess, said he had no problem with the historical inaccuracy of kissing James, who is played in the film by Beyonce Knowles.

 

       “Let’s just say it wasn’t a deal breaker,” the grinning actor told the New York Daily News. “When I met Etta [the real one], she told me, ‘Leonard and I did not do those things!’ So, yes, it was somewhat embellished. But what’s wonderful is the truth Beyonce brings to that moment. That justified it.”      

       Beyonce, who came to the premiere with husband Jay-Z, said she didn’t find the intimacy repellent.      

       “It wasn’t so bad,” she said. “I remember when he kissed Halle Berry. He’s not shy! Not at all.”      

       Meanwhile, Cedric the Entertainer, who plays bluesman Willie Dixon, said he was upset that “they wrote me out of a scene with Beyonce.”      

       Following the premiere, cast members Mos Def, Gabrielle Union and Emmanuelle Chriqui hit the after-party at Marquee with guests Leonardo DiCaprio, Diddy, Ne-Yo, John Legend, Kevin Connolly, Akon and Russell Simmons.

Watch the trailer for “Cadillac Records”:

LIL WAYNE COPS SEVEN GRAMMY NOMS December 4, 2008

To say Lil Wayne is having a big year is an understatement. And to underscore how big a year he’s having, Wednesday evening the diminutive rapper from New Orleans was nominated for a whopping 8 Grammys, including album of he year for “Tha Carter III.” Rock band Cold Play was close behind, scoring seven nods.

 

     This year the announcements of the 51st Grammy nominations were made public within a new format. They were part of an hourlong live prime-time CBS concert special hosted by LL Cool J and Taylor Swift.

 

     While Lil Wayne’s “Tha Carter III” was not regarded by critics as his greatest CD, it was the album that made him a pop superstar, thanks to massive hits like “Lollipop” and “A Milli,” noted AP writer Sandy Cohen. it also got a lot of attention because it was the only record this year to sell 1 million copies in its first week.

 

     Meanwhile, artist and songwriter/producer Ne-Yo didn’t do too badly either. When all was said and done, he wound up with six nominations for his “Year of the Gentleman.”

 

     “When I was putting it together, I was trying to do something that everybody could get into, as opposed to just my pop and R&B core group,” Ne-Yo said after the ceremony. “I was trying to do something that the world could enjoy and I think that the Grammy people paid attention to that.”

 

     Also nominated was new singer-songwriter Jazmine Sullivan, who has drawn comparisons to Lauryn Hill with her hit “I Need You Bad.” She scored an impressive five nominations.

     Other multiple nominees included Jay-z and Kanye West, who had six each.

 

     For a complete list of nominees, visit the Grammy Awards website: www.grammy.com.

 

     Normally the nominations are announced during a morning news conference. But because award shows in general are losing their edge, NARAS, the organization behind the Grammys and CBS decided to put on the prime-time event.

 

     The show kicked off with past Grammy winner Mariah Carey singing a song from her classic Christmas album, decked out in a short red minidress to give some holiday cheer. Held at the Nokia Theatre, the show also celebrated the Saturday opening of the new Grammy Museum next door.

 

     The Grammy Awards telecast itself will be held on CBS on Feb 8 from the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles next door to the Nokia Theater.

NE-YO, LATIFAH TO SALUTE STREISAND? November 28, 2008

 

E! Online is reporting that Ne-Yo has been added to the lineup of artists scheduled to perform for the Barbara Streisand tribute next month at the Kennedy Center Honors.

 

       Beyoncé recently confirmed that she’ll be singing Streisand’s signature tune “The Way We Were” during the segment, and Queen Latifah is reportedly in talks to join the Streisand bill as well.       

       Knowles and Latifah performed at the Kennedy Centers Honors three years ago for honoree Tina Turner.

 

       Streisand, Morgan Freeman, choreographer Twyla Tharp and Pete Townsend and Roger Daltrey of the Who will be honored at the 31st annual gala in Washington, D.C. on Dec. 7.       

       The star-studded affair, hosted by Caroline Kennedy, airs on CBS on Dec. 30.

MARIAH CAREY TO SING AT AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS November 11, 2008

 

Mariah Carey has been added to the list of performers for the American Music Awards, set for Nov. 23.

 

      The songstress joins previously announced artists the Jonas Brothers, Rihanna, Taylor Swift, Ne-Yo, Pink, the Pussycat Dolls and the reunited New Kids on the Block.

 

       Alicia Keys leads the nominations with five. Coldplay and The Eagles are up for four each, while Lil’ Wayne and Chris Brown received three nods apiece. All five are up for Artist of the Year honors, the night’s biggest award.       

       Paris Hilton, Kate Walsh and Akon will also be presenters at the telecast, which airs live on ABC.  Tickets to the event, which will be hosted by Jimmy Kimmel from the Nokia Theater LA Live!, are still available to the public. Click here for more infhttp://dickclarkproductions.com/  

LIONEL RICHIE TAPS AKON, NE-YO FOR NEW CD November 5, 2008

 

Lionel Richie has enlisted Akon and Ne-Yo as co-writers on his upcoming album “Just Go,” due Feb. 17 from Island.

 

      “Just Go” is the follow-up to 2006’s “Coming Home,” which has sold 444,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.      

      The set’s first single, “Good Morning,” was just shipped to urban adult-contemporary radio stations, reports Billboard.com.      

      Richie, the father of socialite Nicole Richie, was due to perform last night on ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars” and Dec. 31 on Dick Clark’s “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.” A world tour begins March 13 in Dublin.

BEYONCE’S ‘SASHA’ INTERRUPTS JAY-Z SET October 30, 2008

 

While Lil Wayne, Jay-Z and Ne-Yo rocked the crowd at Power 105’s Powerhouse concert Tuesday night in New Jersey, all three were upstaged by a surprise appearance from Beyonce.

 

       The singer entered the stage during her husband Jay-Z’s set and with two background dancers performed the choreography from her new song, “Single Ladies.”       

       Without saying or singing one word, she performed the dance routine from the video in black stretch pants and a black turtleneck, then ended the set by flashing her huge wedding ring before walking off.

 

       The other headline of the night was an anticipated joint performance that never happened.  Many fans thought that Jay-Z would join Wayne for their duet “Mr. Carter,” but Weezy rapped alone on the track.       

       Jay-Z was the evening’s last performer and ended his set by reminding the crowd to vote on Nov. 4.      

       “This is the most important election ever,” he said. “Rosa sat so Martin could walk, Martin walked so Obama could run and Obama is running so we all could fly.”

Lil Wayne Pulls No Show At Boston Show, Jay-Z Fills In October 29, 2008

Lil Wayne pulled a no show for the JAM’N 94.5 Monster Jam in Boston last night (10/28), according to the Boston Herald.

Weezy, who was scheduled to co-headlined the concert with Jay-Z reportedly refused to go through the Banknorth Garden security and left the venue without taking the stage. To make up for Wayne’s absence, the God MC took the stage earlier complete with his nine-piece band and Cleveland Cavalier Lebron James standing in the background. Jigga even treated fans to a few encores long after his set was over.

Other performers on the bill included Ne-Yo, who brought out Jadakiss, Yung Berg, Brandy, who surprised the crowd with an appearance from her brother Ray J.

This doesn’t mark the first time Weezy pulls a no show. The rapper also refused to go through security and skipped his performance at a Fashion Rocks Show this past September.

NE-YO FLAUNTS OBAMA SIGN BEFORE MCCAIN October 28, 2008

 

Barack Obama supporter Ne-Yo says he was all too happy to be in the presence of Republican presidential nominee John McCain when both appeared last week on the “Late Show with David Letterman.” 

 

       “I had a big Barack Obama sign on the back of my jacket,” the singer-songwriter told the New York Daily News. “I’m sure he saw it, but I didn’t go over and introduce myself or anything. I have nothing to say to that guy.”

 

      As previously reported, Ne-Yo is set to star in, executive produce and write the soundtrack for Fox Atomic’s romantic feature “Venice Beach.”      

       The film centers on an 18-year-old Manhattan Beach woman who, after her talented older sister dies in a car accident, represses her own singing talent until she meets a gifted musician-singer (Ne-Yo) from Venice Beach. A budding romance between the two turns into a quest for musical careers, which meets resistance from his friends and her family.

NE-YO TO STORM ‘VENICE BEACH’ October 20, 2008

R&B singer-songwriter Ne-Yo will bring his talent to the big screen in the Fox Atomic film “Venice Beach” as star and executive producer, confirms the Hollywood Reporter.

 

      The chart topper will also write the soundtrack to the film, which follows an 18-year-old Manhattan Beach woman who, after her talented older sister dies in a car accident, represses her own singing talent until she meets a gifted musician-singer (Ne-Yo) from Venice Beach.

 

       A budding romance between the two turns into a quest for musical careers, which meets resistance from his friends and her family.      

       The music-driven screenplay is being written by Duane Adler, whose credits include “Step Up” as well as “Save the Last Dance” and its 2006 sequel, in which Ne-Yo appeared.      

       Paul Hunter is in talks to direct the film. He is best known for helming music videos for Eminem, Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears and Marilyn Manson.

T.I.’S ‘PAPER TRAIL’ STILL NO. 1 October 16, 2008

T.I.’s new album “Paper Trail” survived a 69% drop-off in sales to remain at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album chart for a second week.

 

       The Grand Hustle/Atlantic set sold 177,000 copies in the U.S., according to Nielsen SoundScan, after debuting last week with 568,000.      

       Elsewhere on the chart, Jennifer Hudson’s self-titled Arista debut fall 2-4 on a 71% sales decrease to 63,000, and Ne-Yo’s “Year of the Gentleman” (Def Jam) continues its decline, falling 6-8 with 47,000.