Bon Jovi fundraiser; O’Reilly ratings bump; Michelle on ‘Ellen’; Samuel L. fundraiser September 8, 2008

Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama put in face time at a fundraiser held Friday by Jon Bon Jovi at the rocker’s home in New Jersey. “We’re not going to be bullied, we’re not going to be smeared, we’re not going to be lied about. I don’t believe in coming in second,” Obama told the guests, who each paid $30,800 for the privilege of meeting the nominee. “The American people can’t afford for us to come in second. We’ve got to win this thing, and we’re going to win it with your help.”

 

       *Obama’s interview with Fox News Channel’s Bill O’Reilly Thursday night brought “The O’Reilly Factor” the second-highest ratings in its history. The show averaged 6.6 million viewers, Nielsen Media Research said Friday, bested only by the March 19, 2003, “O’Reilly Factor” that led into President Bush’s nationally televised speech about the beginning of the Iraq War. O’Reilly will have more excerpts from the interview today, Tuesday and Wednesday.

 

       *Obama’s wife Michelle appears on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” today as the first guest of the show’s sixth season. Among other issues, she’ll discuss the drama surrounding Republican vice presidential candidate Gov. Sarah Palin and her pregnant 17-year-old daughter.  She tells Ellen “one of the reasons why I’m proud of my husband” is his silence about Palin’s family issues. “I know that they care about their kids, and we should let them deal with this issue,” said Mrs. Obama, 44, the mother of two young daughters. “This shouldn’t be an issue for political discussion.”

 

       *In other Michelle Obama news, she attended a fundraiser with celebs Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Denzel Washington and Barbra Streisand at the Hollywood Hills home of Samuel L. Jackson. Washington showed up late because he was watching the acceptance speech of Republican VP nominee Sarah Palin. Streisand, once an avid Hillary Clinton supporter, was reportedly listed as a VIP, which means she must have donated a minimum $28,500 to the presidential nominee, reports FoxNews.com. The evening raised more than $1 million for Obama’s campaign.

‘Kind’ B.B.; Timbaland/Cornell’s ‘Scream’; Essence’s ‘Summit’: Tiger’s water; Hamilton’s Doll; Stoute honored; ServiceNation taps Ursh; ‘Soul Men’ trailer

B.B. King’s new album, “One Kind Favor,” is now the highest-debuting solo album of his career after debuting at No. 37 on the Billboard 200 last week. It also ranks as his highest-charting solo set since “Live in Cook County Jail” went to No. 25 in 1971. “Favor” is King’s 33rd chart entry. Although he has been recording since 1949, he didn’t appear on the Billboard album chart until 1968, when “Lucille” became his first chart entry. King, who still tours regularly, turns 83 on September 16.      

       *Rock vet Chris Cornell will release his new Timbaland-produced album, “Scream,” on Oct. 14, reports Billboard. The first single, “Long Gone,” can be sampled on Cornell’s MySpace page. A second track, “Ground Zero,” hits digital retail on Sept. 9, while an excerpt of a third, “Watch Out,” is streaming on MySpace. According to Billboard, “Scream” moves Cornell “in a much more R&B-oriented direction, with busy drum machine beats, buffed-up chorus vocals and string samples filling the nooks and crannies.”

 

       *Essence magazine will empower hundreds of women to connect to success during its fifth annual Women Who Are Shaping the World Leadership Summit taking place at the Marriott Marquis in New York City on Friday, Oct. 24, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.  The one-day event will help women advance in their careers, control their financial destiny and transform their business ideas into reality. Speakers include: Star Jones, Suzanne de Passe, Dr. Juanita Bynum, Roland Martin, Michelle Singletary, Lynn Whitfield, Tasha Smith and Finesse Mitchell. Essence magazine Editor-in-Chief Angela Burt-Murray will serve as the event’s host. More information can be found on www.essence.com.   

 

       *Florida residents Tiger Woods, Grant Hill and Dwight Howard have been called out by the Orlando Sentinel as among the state’s biggest users of water. In the midst of a state water shortage, Woods’ home on Jupiter Island near Palm Beach uses 129,000 gallons each month. The average is reportedly 10,000 per month. NBA star Hill used 263,000 gallons in May. The Magic’s Howard spilled 189,000 gallons in July alone.

 

       *Racing driver Lewis Hamilton may join his girlfriend, Pussycat Dolls star Nicole Scherzinger, on her upcoming tour with the group, reports WENN. The singer has been dating the British Formula One star, 23, since they met at the MTV Awards last year. She says: “We’re private and keep to ourselves. We’re just two normal people who are passionate about what we do and we’re both living our dream, so we are very blessed. It’s hard to have a relationship in this industry, so we’re taking things one step at a time and living moment to moment. As long as the other girls are OK about it, I hope he’ll come on the road with us when we tour.”

 

       *Hip Hop exec Steve Stoute will be inducted into the American Advertising Federation’s Advertising Hall of Fame on Nov. 18, reports Allhiphop.com. Stoute is the co-founder of Translation, a joint advertising firm run with fellow mogul and rapper, Jay-Z. The company has brokered deals with Beyonce (Tommy Hilfiger), Chris Brown (Double Mint Gum), Justin Timberlake (McDonalds), Gwen Stefani (Hewlett-Packard), and Jadakiss (Reebok). “Getting accepted into the advertising hall is something that I proudly accept on behalf of the entire Hip-Hop community,” Stoute told AllHipHop.com. “This will open up doors for diversity in general market advertising which the industry definitely needs.”

       *Usher has been appointed Youth Chair of ServiceNation, a service campaign committed to uniting Americans in common cause, tackling social challenges and encouraging citizens to give back to community and country. At the ServiceNation Summit on Sept. 11 and 12, the artist will represent young people from around the country who are committed to giving back to their communities by raising awareness about the importance of national and community service.

 

       *The official trailer of “Soul Men,” starring Samuel L. Jackson and the late Bernie Mac, has been released from Dimension Films/MGM. The actors play the lone surviving members of popular ’70s soul band, The Real Deal. The bickering singers take a road trip to the Apollo Theater for a musical tribute to their recently deceased front man.  Co-star Isaac Hayes, who died last month, also appears in the trailer.  “Soul Men” opens Nov 7. View trailer below:

 

KANYE WEST PLOTTING NEW CD BY YEAR’S END?: Management claims artist is seriously considering release of fourth album in coming months

A new Kanye West album may be in stores by New Year’s Eve, according to Billboard magazine. The rapper’s management is said to be mulling over the prospect of releasing his fourth album for Def Jam by year’s end.

 

      In recent weeks, the artist has been performing a new track called “Love Lockdown,” which is rumored to be his first single and to be hitting iTunes in a matter of days.

 

      In past interviews, West has said his fourth album would be titled “Good Ass Job,” which follows the thread of his first three: “College Dropout,” “Late Registration” and “Graduation.” However, an official title has yet to be confirmed.

 

       West is currently producing tracks for Jay-Z’s upcoming album, “Blueprint III.”

BEYONCE FINALLY SHOWS OFF WEDDING RING: Plus, singer tells UK’s Marie Claire ‘I want to be iconic

Beyonce has worn her wedding ring in public for the first time ever. The $5 million, 18 carat flawless diamond by Lorraine Schwartz was photographed on the singer during the red carpet madness for Fashion Rocks at New York’s Radio City Music Hall.    

       The singer, who married rapper Jay-Z in April, took off the ring during a duet with Justin Timberlake, but slipped it back on when she donned a short, blonde wig to sing a tribute to blues singer Etta James, whom she portrays in the upcoming movie “Cadillac Records.”      

       Meanwhile, the singer was asked about her superstardom in the October issue of Marie Claire’s U.K. edition.        

       She said: “There is a time limit on being a pop star, yes. Being a legend, an icon? Absolutely not. I’m over being a pop star. I don’t wanna be a hot girl – I wanna be iconic.”       

       The artist also admitted that fame comes with its challenges: “There are responsibilities that come along with this life … trying to have a romantic meal without someone sneaking in to film the whole thing,” she said. “I have to work really hard and it’s fine because I like it, I love it, but it’s a lot of sacrifice.”       

       As for being a woman of color in Hollywood, Beyoncé says she hopes to be an inspiration to future generations of singers: “I think I’m opening doors for more black women, just like Halle Berry and Diana Ross opened doors for me.”

MC BREED NEEDS KIDNEY TRANSPLANT: Rapper was put on life support after collapsing during basketball game

Rapper MC Breed was rushed to an Atlanta hospital with kidney failure and is said to be in desperate need of a transplant.

 

       The 36-year-old artist, best known for his hit “Ain’t No Future in Yo Frontin’,” was playing a game of pickup basketball Friday evening when he collapsed and lost consciousness.

 

       “He had to be revived three times,” his manager Darryl Morris told AllHipHop.com. “He had to be rushed to the hospital where they diagnosed him and told him his kidneys have failed.”       

       He was placed on life support, but was taken off sometime on Sunday, reports TMZ.com.  He’ll remain in the Atlanta hospital for at least another week under observation, according to the Web site. His kidneys are only 30 percent functional.      

       Morris told Allhiphop.com that a number of rappers are being contacted to participate in a benefit concert for Breed that will take place in Michigan.

ROBIN THICKE CALLS OUT VIBE ON RACE: Singer says magazine won’t put whites on cover; editor doesn’t deny it

During an interview with Billboard magazine to promote his new album “Something Else,” (due today), Robin Thicke mentioned that he was denied the cover of Vibe magazine because he is white.

 

       “When I did a recent interview with Vibe Magazine I asked, ‘Why can’t I get the cover? This is a magazine I love. If there’s one magazine that I’d want to be on the cover of, it’s Vibe,” Thicke told Billboard. “Their response was they don’t have white artists on the cover; that the only white artist they’ve had on the cover was Eminem. I guess if that’s what it is, it is what it is.”

 

      Thicke, who discusses the issue of race within the pages of Vibe’s October issue, continued to Billboard:  “I respect that because I live in a house with a black woman. I won’t use the word racism. I will say it’s a tough — but rewarding — fight.”

 

       In a statement responding to Thicke’s comments, Vibe’s vice president and editorial director Danyel Smith does not deny the singer’s allegations.

 

       “We have a great deal of respect for Robin Thicke and his music, and we remain flattered by his desire to be on a Vibe cover,” said Smith. “A Vibe cover is a huge milestone in any artist’s career. Recent cover stars include Young Jeezy, Mariah Carey, 50 Cent, Usher, Senator Barack Obama, Eminem, Lil Wayne, and Robert De Niro, to say nothing of our 15-year history. We wish Thicke the best, and were glad he discusses his thoughts on race and R&B in the new October 2008 issue of Vibe.”

MICHAEL AND JERMAINE MISSING AT BMI JACKSONS TRIBUTE: Janet gets emotional honoring big bros; T-Pain collects multiple awards

All of the Jackson brothers except Michael and Jermaine showed up to the BMI Urban Awards ceremony Thursday night, where the singing brothers were honored with the prestigious Icon award.

 

       Although T-Pain’s was the big winner during the 8th annual ceremony, which took place at the Wilshire Theatre in Beverly Hills, headlines from the evening were focused on Michael Jackson’s big no-show.   

 

      Parents Katherine and Joseph Jackson were on hand, as were sisters LaToya, Rebbie and Janet, who got choked up while introducing her brothers Tito, Randy, Jackie and Marlon as they received their Icon award.

 

       “Family is the most important commodity that all of us have,” she said. “I am so proud to be able to salute my brothers.”      

Janet Jackson and her brothers (minus Michael) at 2008 BMI Urban Awards

        According to People magazine, Janet called off the names of each brother and said, “I salute you for your talent and your musical gifts you’ve given the world. I tell you that every time we speak. I’m so excited to salute you!”        

       While Michael didn’t make it to the event, his brothers offered their support for him and his upcoming album. “We haven’t heard it, but we’ve heard about it,” Randy told reporters. “It’s going to be great.”       

       Earlier in the evening, T-Pain earned the coveted Songwriter of the Year crown and shared the Producer of the Year trophy with crossover king Jonathan “J.R.” Rotem and hip-hop star Kanye West. Song of the Year honors went to Beyoncé’s “Irreplaceable,” co-written by Ne-Yo, Amund Bjøerklund and Espen Lind, while Universal Music Publishing Group secured the Publisher of the Year title.            

       Throughout the ceremony, the audience also enjoyed live performances of many of the award-winning songs by music’s biggest stars including Rick Ross, T-Pain, Lil’ Wayne, Ray J, Lloyd, Mario, JoJo, Keri Hilson and Yung Berg.

GARY COLEMAN HITS FAN WITH TRUCK: Two sides offer different accounts of incident outside Utah bowling alley

A nice night at the bowling alley for Gary Coleman and his wife ended up with the actor nearly running over a fan with his truck.       

       Utah’s ABC 4 News reports that the incident took place at South County Bowling Lanes in Payson, where Coleman is a regular patron. The actor and his wife were finishing their game when 24-year-old fan Colt Rushton asked to take a picture of him with his cell phone, according to Coleman’s bodyguard, who didn’t want to be identified.      

        When the former “Diff’rent Strokes” star said no, Rushton got aggressive, said the bodyguard.      

       “He asked the kid not to take pictures. Why can’t he be an adult and respect his [Coleman’s] privacy,” said his bodyguard, adding that the harassment continued outside as Coleman and his wife tried to leave. “This kid would not back off—he would not back off.”       

       Police say Coleman’s truck struck Rushton and hit a car that had pulled up behind Coleman’s truck. The bodyguard says Rushton ran to the back of Coleman’s pickup as the actor was backing out. “The kid was way careless. He was reckless.  Who runs out on somebody that’s turning?”       

       Rushton, meanwhile, says Coleman’s wife took his cell phone, and Coleman threw several punches at him before getting behind the wheel of his truck.  Rushton says he was trying to get his cell phone from Coleman when the actor put his truck in gear and struck Rushton, knocking him to the ground.        

       “He did not intentionally hit this kid,” argued Coleman’s bodyguard, “[Coleman] was just trying to get out of here.”        

       Police say no one has been arrested or cited and say there’s some indication alcohol was a factor.