Archive for September, 2011

Mary J. Blige blessed PAPER’s 7th Annual Nightlife Awards with a royal performance. The Queen of Hip-Hop Soul grooved with her band on classics (“Real Love”) and future classics (“25/8″) before a packed house at Hiro Ballroom at the Maritime Hotel in New York City last night, gazing into the crowd of familiar faces including Swizz Beatz, Estelle, Wendy Williams, and Anderson Cooper. MJB is gearing up for the release of her new album My Life II… The Journey Continues (Act I), arriving November 21.

Justin Bieber has “How to Love” fever. The teen idol puts his spin on Lil Wayne’s Carter IV smash, stripping it down into a pleasing acoustic jam, while singing the original lyrics and adding his own rap verse. “Happy birthday @LilTunechi,” wrote Biebs, who will release his Christmas album on November 1.

Fans just couldn’t get enough of J. Cole, who celebrated the long-awaited release of his debut Cole World: The Sideline Story with a packed day of promotion in New York City. The North Carolina MC rose bright and early for a chat on Livestream, discussing which artists he’d like to collaborate with (Alicia Keys, Nas, and André 3000) and facing off with Blink-182 on the charts. A few lucky individuals received personal phone calls from a grateful Cole, who thanked them for their support.

Later in the day, he stopped by J&R Music and Computer World for an album signing, as fans bombarded the store to get a picture and autograph. Cole also caught up with Angie Martinez on her Hot 97 show, where he addressed his rumored sex tape with Rihanna. When asked how his longtime girlfriend handled the rumors, Cole said, “Like a champ!”

The 26-year-old rapper received a hero’s welcome on “106 & Park,” which dedicated the entire program to hip-hop’s breakout star. He answered Twitter questions and played a game of “In a Cole World…,” describing what he would do if he ruled the world. The show concluded with a mini-concert of favorites including “Who Dat,” “Can’t Get Enough,” and “Work Out.”

Celebrities such as Keri Hilson, Drake, and Rihanna tweeted messages of support to the Roc Nation signee. “Overwhelming. Thank you!” wrote an exhausted Cole at the end of his hectic day. Relive the highlights below.

Bow Wow says I’m Better Than You on his latest mixtape, which he claims will be his last before his Cash Money debut Underrated drops on December 6. He sprinkles the 11 tracks with collaborations with Chris Brown (“2 Young 2 Give a Fuck”) and Jermaine Dupri (“Lame”), and dedicates “I Love Pussy” and “Mary Jane” to his two favorite vices. And if you think he’s run out of steam, cue up “70 Bars and No Hook.”

The Weeknd lends his production skills to the official remix to British outfit Florence + The Machine’s new single “Shake It Out.” The Canadian R&B prodigy chops up the original tune into a slow grooving beast. Unfortunately, no new vocals have been added, but it still has his stamp all over it.

Before J. Cole’s debut album Cole World arrived in stores today, an injured Cole returned to his old stomping grounds of Union Square in New York City to perform his new single “Can’t Get Enough” for VEVO’s Go Show. Sitting on a stair rail with just a mic, the Roc Nation MC entertained the crowd as they gathered around him and breakdancers showed off their moves.

“I’m most excited for people to hear it, that’s it. Of course, I want to see how it sells and I want to see how it does the next week, and two months after I want to see Grammys, if they recognize,” said Cole in an interview with VEVO. “I’ve been making this album for a long time and I got concepts and topics that other rappers really haven’t touched on.”

Rihanna turned up the volume on the second day of her video shoot for “We Found Love” in Northern Ireland on Tuesday (Sept. 27). Wearing a denim bra, skirt, and torn stockings, the pop siren got on the megaphone and commanded the crowd. Fans lined the streets of Belfast to get a glimpse of the action, as RiRi ran on the pavement and performed scenes with a white vintage sports car. The shoot continued at night at a fish and chips shop.

The day before, a scantily-clad RiRi shot scenes in an open field, wearing a bandana top and baggy jeans. According to PEOPLE, an Irish farmer who had given her crew permission to use his field, shut down the production and chided the pop star for her “inappropriate” wardrobe.

“I wish no ill will against Rihanna and her friends,” he said. “Perhaps they could acquaint themselves with a greater God.”

Janet Jackson was by her family’s side for the opening statements of the Michael Jackson manslaughter case today in Los Angeles. The mood was somber as the youngest Jackson, dressed demurely in black with sunglasses, walked hand in hand into the L.A. courtroom with her older brother Randy. Her parents, Katherine and Joe, and siblings were also in attendance for the start of the trial of Dr. Conrad Murray, who is charged with involuntary manslaughter in the June 2009 death of the pop legend.

Bow Wow drops two new songs off his upcoming mixtape I’m Better Than You, hitting the Internet at 12 a.m. EST tonight. On the soulful first single “Heaven,” he addresses bloggers, his father, and haters who want to know who he’s dating. “Lame,” produced by frequent collaborator Jermaine Dupri, boasts pompous rhymes about stuntin’ in the club. The 11-track mixtape will also include his latest collaboration with Chris Brown, “2 Young to Give a Fuck.”

Artist:  N.O.R.E. feat. Lil Wayne, Pharrell
Song: Finito
Year: 2011
Genre: Hip-Hop – Rap