2012 CMA Winners

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

Kelly Clarkson
Miranda Lambert – Winner
Martina McBride
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Eric Church
Blake Shelton – Winner
Keith Urban

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR

Eli Young Band
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town – Winner
The Band Perry
Zac Brown Band

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

Jason Aldean
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
Blake Shelton – WINNER
Taylor Swift

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

“Chief” – Eric Church – WINNER
“Four the Record” – Miranda Lambert
“Home” – Dierks Bentley
“Own the Night” – Lady Antebellum
“Tailgates and Tanlines” – Luke Bryan

Music Video

Come Over – Kenny Chesney – Directed by Shaun Silva
Over You – Miranda Lambert – Directed by Trey Fanjoy
Pontoon Little Big Town – Directed by Declan Whitebloom
Red Solo Cup – Toby Keith – Directed by Michael Salomon – Winner
Springsteen – Eric Church – Directed by Peter Zavadil

Musician

Sam Bush – Mandolin
Paul Franklin – Steel Guitar
Danny Huff – Guitar
Brent Mason – Guitar
Mac McAnally – Guitar – Winner

Single of the Year

Dirt Road Anthem – Jason Aldean
God Gave Me You – Blake Shelton
Home – Dierks Bentley
Pontoon – Little Big Town – WINNER
Springsteen – Eric Church

Song of the Year

Even If it Breaks Your Heart – Eli Young Band – Will Hoge and Eric Paslay
God Gave Me You – Blake Shelton – Dave Barnes
Home – Dierks Bentley – Dan Wilson, Brett Beavers, and Dierks Bentley
Over You – Miranda Lambert – Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton – WINNER
Springsteen – Eric Church – Eric Church, Ryan Tyndell, and Jeff Hyde

Musical Event Of The Year

Dixie Highway – Zac Brown Band and Alan Jackson
Feel Like a Rock Star – Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw – WINNER
Roll Me Up And Smoke Me When I Die – Willie Nelson, Snoop Dogg, Jamey Johnson, and Kris Kristofferson
Safe and Sound – Taylor Swift and The Civil Wars
Stuck On You – Lionel Richie and Darius Rucker

Vocal Duo Of The Year

Big and Rich
Love and Theft
Sugarland
Civil Wars
Thompson Square – WINNER

New Artist

Lee Bryce
Brantley Gilbert
Love and Theft
Thompson Square
Hunter Hayes – WINNER

Christina's New Billboard Interview

Christina Aguilera sees her upcoming breather from NBC's hit "The Voice" as an opportune time to spend time with family, reconnect with fans and, she says, play some tour dates in support of her new album "Lotus."

"It's very interesting, because it won't really in time be that much of a break," she told Billboard's Bill Werde backstage at last week's Film & TV Music Conference. "It'll barely allow me to sort of get back to my fans, maybe see them on the road, have some tour dates possibly."

She added that she's hoping "throw in a vacation" as a well during that time and be "able to have a moment to myself which is so important, and for my family, my son."

As previously reported by Billboard, Aguilera and fellow coach CeeLo Green are being replaced by Usher and Shakira for the fourth season of "The Voice" airing in the spring. After that, she'll be back in the big red chair for round 5 of the hit singing competition.

"It's a much-needed time though, because being out on the road and experiencing my fans, I'll also be able to come back a stronger coach," she said.

In the meantime, Aguilera is revving up to focus on "Lotus," which hits stores and digital on Nov. 13. She has bigger intentions than to just put out a good set of songs, however.

"I wrote and recorded a lot on this record that was made to hopefully inspire the next generation of vocalists," she told us. "Songs like 'Sing for Me.' Songs like 'Army of Me,' which is like a 2.0 'Fighter' if you will."

Aguilera makes special note of a new track called "Blank Page," which she describes as an "amazing ballad that reminds me of the emotional vulnerability yet empowerment feeling that you get from listening to say a 'Beautiful' from previous records."

She added, "My experience as a coach on 'The Voice' has really helped me dig deeper to find new inspiration because I almost feel like it's my responsibility to uphold a certain vocal standard."

Speaking of emotional artistry, Aguilera said she likes what she's heard by R&B newcomer Frank Ocean.

"He has more of a subtle record than most out there," she said. "I love his song Bad Religion. It's beautiful. It's one of those you're jealous it's not your song."




Source & Video: http://www.billboard.com/news/christina-aguilera-talks-voice-rest-lotus-1007997252.story#/news/christina-aguilera-talks-voice-rest-lotus-1007997252.story

Very Impressive Rihanna

Diamonds Deluxe Edition Box (US$79.00)

Diamonds Box
Deluxe Edition in Unibox
Release and Ship: November 19, 2012

A unisex shirt featuring a stunning Michael Muller photo of Rihanna taken during her Unapologetic album photo shoots spanning several weeks. Printed on a black 100% soft cotton shirt.

A limited edition genuine, conflict-free diamond bracelet in celebration of "Diamonds, " Rihanna's anthemic first single from Unapologetic. Hand-chosen by Rihanna for her navy, this "Diamonds" inspired bracelet features a black leather band with a brass disc and 1pt diamond packaged in a signature R logo card and plastic wrap. This custom piece is truly amazing!

7 Laptop stickers featuring artwork by Mario Hugo, Unapologetic album and "Diamonds" single artwork, and additional Rihanna surprises.

Unapologetic Deluxe CD version with a 28-page photo and art booklet featuring Michael Muller and Melissa T. Forde photography and a 20 minute DVD featuring never-before-released footage, a First Look from Rihanna's sold-out Loud Tour performance Live from London's O2 arena.

A Fan Mosaic poster featuring members of Rihanna's Navy and one of Rihanna's breathtaking Unapologetic images.

Diamonds Executive Platinum Box (US$250.00)

DIAMONDS EXECUTIVE PLATINUM BOX
Premium Deluxe Edition in Collar Box with Trap Doors
Release and Ship: December 11, 2012

The Diamonds Executive Platinum box is a limited edition art piece for a true collector. This premium offering is numbered and includes a special edition collectible colored "Diamonds" remixes vinyl. Due to limited copies, don't miss out on your own collectible, limited edition numbered Diamonds Executive Platinum Box!

A Rihanna Unapologetic 2GB Credit Card style USB Flash Memory Drive with plentiful room for high-definition photos, graphic-intensive documents, videos, spreadsheets, presentations, term papers and music that can be stored and retrieved in a flash.

A unisex shirt featuring a stunning Michael Muller photo of Rihanna taken during her Unapologetic album photo shoots spanning several weeks. Printed on a black 100% soft cotton shirt.

7 Art print 12 x15 lithographs featuring Michael Muller photography, a Magnus Voll Mathiassen illustration and exclusive never-before released Rihanna Unapologetic images, bound together with her iconic handwritten R logo band.

3 Device Adhesives featuring Rihanna's Unapologetic cover, logo and image, compatible with iPhone, Blackberry and all other smart phone devices.

7 Laptop stickers featuring artwork by Mario Hugo, Unapologetic album and "Diamonds" single artwork, and other Rihanna surprises.

11x17 Rihanna handwritten personal note to her Navy

A collectible colored vinyl featuring Diamonds Remixes.

A Rihanna 3D experience available exclusively in this boxset. Collect this exclusive custom-made white View-Master with silver detail including a collectible vintage reel of never-before-released 3D images depicting Rihanna's iconic style transformation.


A 40-page custom Rihanna Notebook with handwritten notes and lyrics.

Unapologetic Deluxe CD version with a 28-page photo and art booklet featuring Michael Muller and Melissa T. Forde photography and a 20 minute DVD featuring never-before-released footage, a First Look from Rihanna's sold-out Loud Tour performance Live from London's O2 arena.

Exclusive Fan Mosaic poster featuring members of Rihanna's Navy and a breathtaking Unapologetic image.

All details + Pre-order here

 

 

 

Other Labels need to take notes.  But I don't like the album cover though.

Mark Foster from Foster The People kicked out of Prince show

Yeah Prince can be kind of a dick, but he’s very serious about no photos during his show, to which I can attest. Mark Foster of Foster the People felt the brunt of that policy last night at The Sayers Club in Los Angeles, where he was briefly kicked out of the show for reportedly using his cell phone. Watch him temper his sincere apologies with name dropping his own band in the video below (via TMZ).

Video:
http://consequenceofsound.net/2012/10/mark-foster-from-foster-the-people-kicked-out-of-prince-show/

Wow...

RIP Flyleaf

Flyleaf singer Lacey Sturm has announced that she will be departing the band, effective immediately. The band has also announced that ex-Vedera vocalist Kristen May has stepped in for all future tour dates supporting the upcoming album New Horizons, which comes out next week on Oct. 30th. “When listening to New Horizons, I would hope that fans would be able to lose themselves in the story of each of these songs and form their own connections to them—as we have in the band,” remarked bass player Pat Seals. “There is a great deal of our souls laid bare on this record, and I feel like it really comes through on the tracks.”

Spoiler: (Close) more here http://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3199345/lacey-sturm-and-flyleaf-part-ways-new-singer-announced/bloody-disgusting.com/news/3194000/interview-flyleaf-bassist-pat-seals-talks-new-horizons/

I absolutly loved their song all around me.

78violet Finish Recording Album

Aly & AJ just got back from NYC after finishing recording for their new album! The album won’t be released until the first half of 2013 so I assume that their producer David Kahne will be tweaking and adding the finishing touches to the album until then. Judging from the “8 Hours” clip the girls released last week it looks as if the album is practically done. So exciting! Congratulations Aly & AJ! We know it’s been a long journey for you to get to this point and we are so proud. We’ll be listening to new songs before we know it. So between the album getting released and now, Aly will be working on a new film project. She found out about it on the 29th of September and met up with the film’s director while in New York. The film starts shooting in about a weeks time. She hasn’t given much information about it yet but the minute we find out you guys will be the first to know! Also Long Time Gone has still to be released in cinemas so fans have that to look forward to as well. As for AJ, we’re not so sure what she will be doing. Judging from the fight scene choreography we put up a while ago she has been busy auditioning for films. Can’t wait to see what her next project will be!

SOURCE

The Wanted apologize to Xtina

They may be "wanted" by teenage girls around the world, but when it comes to Christina Aguilera, The Wanted is anything but irresistible.

In April, the group -- consisting of members Tom Parker, Max George, Siva Kaneswaran, Nathan Sykes and Jay McGuinness -- got in a heated feud with "The Voice" coach after Parker referred to her as "a total b***h" when they met her on the NBC talent show. "She might not be a bitch in real life, but to us, she was a total bitch," he told New York radio station Now FM. "She just sat there and didn't speak to us. Wouldn't even look at us."

"She was quite rude," Kaneswaran added. "Who does that?"

But nowadays, the guys regret lashing out on Aguilera and say there has been plenty of hate mail sent their way since they spoke their mind.

"Oh, yes!" George told The Huffington Post exclusively when asked if they faced any blowback following their comments. "I think there was total backlash," Parker, who issued an apology shortly after the controversy, added.

"I watched an interview with her on "Chelsea Lately" the other night and she came across really, really nice so I was a bit like, 'Oh s**t!'" he continued. "Maybe she was she just having a bad day."

"He was, so..." George chimed in, revealing Parker was a bit under the weather the day he blabbed about Aguilera's attitude.

"Yeah, I was having a terrible day," Parker confessed to HuffPost. "I was on my period ... oh shoot, sorry I apologize!"

These guys just can't seem to keep their mouths shut, but its nothing short of of entertaining!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/21/the-wanteds-christina-aguilera-feud-group-backtracks-after-bitch-comment-exclusive_n_1997611.html

0_o

Xtina's Rolling Stone interview

Christina Aguilera admits that her last album, 2010's Bionic, didn't connect with her fans. "It had a lot of amazing sounds and a futuristic twist to it," she says. "But if you weren't a music person, it was just going to go over your head. A lot of the collaborations were with people that were either very underground or weren't necessarily from the pop world. I really think it was far ahead of its time and it'll be fully appreciated in the years to come."

On her follow-up, Lotus – her first LP since getting a divorce and becoming a judge on The Voice – Aguilera goes for a sleeker mainstream pop sound, working with producers like Max Martin, Lucas Secon and Shellback. "I don't really push myself to have those formulaic commercial successes," Aguilera says. "It's dishonest and it starts lacking creativity. I embraced being a pop artist, but I like doing it on my own terms, at my own pace."

Aguilera sees Lotus (in stores on November 9th) as a companion piece of sorts to her 2002 album, Stripped. "It really takes me back to that time," she says. "I was shedding a skin in a sense. I had been pigeonholed as formula-pop driven, or molded or forced to be something I didn't feel was true to me. I was labeled from 'Genie in a Bottle,' and I had a lot of things to say and share as a 21-year-old woman. Now I've come full circle a decade later. I had a greatest hits album and I experienced a decade in this crazy business. It's a time of celebration, of embracing being a pop star."

The songs span a range of emotions, from the pain of loss through a spiritual rebirth to a celebration of life. "It's a very multi-layered, very heartfelt record," she says. "I wanted to share all the different sides of me, as a woman, and as a creator and an artist. Part of that is being a mom. Part of that is sexuality. Part of that is vulnerability. Part of that is aggression and angst. All those pieces make me who I am."

On the piano ballad "Blank Page," Aguilera vents her pain and regret. "Lord knows I've been no saint," she sings. "Regret choices I made . . . I was scared, unprepared for the things you said/I'm a blank page waiting for life to start." The club-ready "Army of Me" shows off her defiant side: "What you thought was your best decision became your worst mistake," she sings defiantly on the track. "That song is a 'Fighter 2.0,"" Aguilera says. "I want it to inspire a whole new generation. I have six-year-old fans that weren't even around for 'Genie in a Bottle' or even 'Fighter.'"

Lotus marks Aguilera's first time working with Swedish pop-radio wizard Max Martin. "I'm not sure we would have been able to create the same music had we connected earlier," she says. "He did all the Britney and N'Sync songs, and I was doing something a little more daring. But we've gained respect for each other."

The most shocking moment on Lotus is the bonus track "Shut Up," a furious screed against haters in which Aguilera repeatedly chants "If you don't like it you can suck my dick." "That's for my fans to blast in their cars," she says. "I know a lot of them get heated and pissed off whenever they hear some bull**** rumor or bull**** story, and it's a great venting song for anyone that is having a bad day or not liking their boss. It's playful and tongue in cheek."

Christina has been pulling double duty recently with her work on The Voice and her new album, and she's looking forward to temporarily handing off her rotating chair to Shakira for Season Four next spring. "They were going to do back-to-back seasons," she says. "I knew I had to get back in touch with myself as an artist. I really put myself on the back burner doing that show. I also worried that my advice would start to get stale and redundant. I have to go away for a second and live life. Being on The Voice has been amazing, but I need to see my friends and go on the road again."

Aguilera called off a planned 2010 tour in support of Bionic, but she hopes she will tour behind this album. "We are thinking about that," she says. " But with my schedule everything is complicated – and it's a whole different ballgame now that I have a son. So, again, we'll do that on my own terms and within due time."

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/christina-aguilera-says-lotus-lp-will-be-multi-layered-heartfelt-20121019

Oh Christina...

Media Base Raido Chart

1. MAROON 5 – One More Night: 163.611 (+ 1.183)2. JUSTIN BIEBER – As Long As You Love Me: 138.351 (- 0.091) ▲
3. PINK – Blow Me (One Last Kiss): 136.866 (- 1.642) ▼
4. FUN. – Some Nights: 133.146 (+ 0.503)
5. TAYLOR SWIFT – We Are Never Ever Getting…: 129.706 (+ 0.707)
6. ALEX CLARE – Too Close: 111.066 (+ 1.769)
7. OWL CITY & CARLY RAE JEPSEN – Good Time: 104.617 (- 0.695)
8. NE-YO – Let Me Love You: 101.644 (+ 1.861) ▲
9. CHRIS BROWN – Don’t Wake Me Up: 101.525 (+ 1.581) ▼
10. NEON TREES – Everybody Talks: 90.490 (- 2.089)
11. ELLIE GOULDING – Lights: 87.730 (- 1.011)
12. KATY PERRY – Wide Awake: 82.188 (- 1.698)
13. GOTYE – Somebody That I Used To Know: 76.216 (- 0.493)
14. MIGUEL – Adorn: 74.473 (+ 0.762)
15. RIHANNA – Diamonds: 73.720 (+ 1.627)
16. PSY – Gangnam Style: 68.737 (+ 0.670)
17. KE$HA – Die Young: 67.780 (+ 1.789)
18. CARRIE UNDERWOOD – Blown Away: 64.528 (- 0.053)
19. FLO RIDA – Whistle: 62.343 (– 2.196)
20. DEMI LOVATO – Give Your Heart A Break: 59.115 (- 0.184)

OTHERS:

LEE BRICE – Hard To Love: 57.268
TRAIN – 50 Ways To Say Goodbye: 57.207 (+ 0.371)
DUSTIN LYNCH – Cowboys And Angels: 57.107 (- 0.872)
MAROON 5 – Payphone f/Wiz Khalifa: 56.984 (- 0.072)
JASON ALDEAN – Take A Little Ride: 56.559 (- 0.447)
TREY SONGZ – 2 Reasons f/T.I.: 56.410
PHILLIP PHILLIPS – Home: 56.052 (+ 0.801)
FRENCH MONTANA – Pop That f/Rick Ross: 55.091 (+ 0.316)
BRUNO MARS – Locked Out Of Heaven: 52.419 (+ 2.169)
ENRIQUE IGLESIAS – Finally Found You f/S. Adams: 50.153 (+ 1.053)
DAVID GUETTA - I Can Only Imagine f/C. Brown: 48.400 (+ 0.160)
KANYE WEST – Clique f/Big Sean & JAY-Z: 44.710 (+ 0.623)
ONE DIRECTION – Live While We’re Young: 31.460 (+ 0.070)
ONEREPUBLIC – Feel Again: 31.032 (+ 0.344)
USHER – Numb: 30.449 (+ 0.207)
CHRISTINA AGUILERA – Your Body: 29.156 (- 0.029)
ALICIA KEYS – Girl On Fire: 28.546 (+ 0.397)
BEYONCE – Dance For You: 28.291 (+ 0.456)
ADELE – Skyfall: 21.330 (+ 0.550)
MUMFORD & SONS – I Will Wait: 20.221 (+ 0.214)
TAYLOR SWIFT – Begin Again: 16.564 (+ 1.007)
MUSE – Madness: 15.687 (+ 0.135)
KELLY CLARKSON – Catch My Breath: 3.455
KILLERS – Miss Atomic Bomb: 0.654         

Big Thanks to Cold As Fire baby on BMK.  I love following these all the time.

I said I was gonna do it...

Now its time to do some reviews

Up First is Zedd- Spectrum (3 and 1/2 stars)
When I heard the sample I loved it.  But After listening to it over and over I don't love but i like it.  It can get annoying after awhile if you repeat over and over. But overall it's a good song and has a nice beat.  The voice can be super annoying at times and other times it's super cool.  i guess it just depends on my mood Haha.



Second is Mia Martina feat. Adrian Sina- Go Crazy (4 and 1/2 stars)

This song is really really good.  I love the pulsating beat and the voices just hypnotic to listen to.  I can repeat this song over and over not get tired of it.  I walways blast this on repeat when I have it in my car for for a workout.



Third is Tiësto & Diplo- C'mon (Catch 'em By Surprise) (feat. Busta Rhymes) (5 Stars)
 
This song is the definition of amazing.  I can never ever get tired of this song.  Busta Ryhmes has a sick flow on the song along with Tiesto and Diplo creating a sick beat.  Just a simply amazing song to dance or workout to.



Fourth is Wonder Girls- Like Money (5 Stars)
This song is amazing on so many levels. From the beat, Akon's verse (I usually can't STAND him), the rap, and the melodies the song is simply amazing.  But the adlibs at the end of the song is so powerful and strong.  It's great for parties and it's definitly going on rotation at the gym.  Also, I have repeated the shit out it and I am still not tired of the song in the slightest.


These are my firs batch of reviews I hope you like them and post what you think.
MH

New Artist Alert

In preparation for the release of D.E.V.Y.N. the EP, Devyn gives us a taste of what's to come - check out her freestyle over Kanye's "Clique"! Devyn Rose "Clique" Clean Version Devyn Rose "Clique" Dirty Version Devyn Rose "Clique" Clean Version Devyn Rose "Clique" Dirty Version

New Music Alerts

Songs that are coming on itunes this week is Christina's new single Your Body. this has to be one of the catchiest songs I have heard this year, I personally love the song (including both the clean and explict). Also, Britney Spears is releasing Till The world Ends (Twister Dance Remix). From what I heard I like it and will of course buy it. I will post more reviews and go into greater detail later. I have been sick this week and still don't feel that great. Music Heaven

Ne-Yo Talks Speaks Out Against Beyonce

Earlier this week R&B crooner Ne-Yo who’s had artist take his songs without giving the appropriate credit explains why he has no problems giving Bey credit. “That’s happened before. Here’s my thing, when I write a song for an artist I want that artist to take that song and make it their [own]. If you listen to my version of “Irreplaceable” and listen to Beyonce’s version of “Irreplaceable”, its two damn totally different songs with all the harmonies and extra stuff she put in there. So yea, I gave her her writer’s credit because that counts. That’s writing. That harmony that you put right there. That little background part, I didn’t write that originally. You put that in there, so for her to take the song and make it her’s, I didn’t mind her saying ‘I wrote this song for my girls’ at a concert or whatever the case may be. Because in a way, technically, she did put her spin on it. If you gonna do it the exact same way I did it, you might as well let me keep it.” There’s no doubt the whispers will continue though it should be obvious that they’re not working. http://www.popularcritic.com/2012/08/09/beyonces-songwriting-credits-are-well-deserved/

Nelly Furtado Interview by ES Mag

Nelly Furtado has had a tumultuous 12 years, battling with her body image, coping with depression, even entertaining the Gaddafis. Here come the girls. Backstage at Elstree Studios, a troupe of perfect bodies files past, wearing fishnets: Nelly Furtado’s backing dancers. Then she appears, dressed like an S&M Barbie doll in a frou-frou miniskirt and black leather biker gloves. Each finger is encrusted with spiky rings and sparkly knuckledusters, and she’s wearing outsize hoops, of course — ‘The bigger the better, the better the bigger,’ as she puts it in her new single — and this particular pair is decorated with silver shark bites. ‘Wearing hoops makes me feel less insecure, more confident,’ she says in a voice surprisingly small and vulnerable for a pop diva with some of the most powerful lungs in the business. Nelly, 33, sold six million copies of her 2000 debut album Woah, Nelly! and became everyone’s favourite Portuguese Canadian: feisty, beautiful — she could be Courteney Cox’s little sister — wholesome yet kooky, singing about how she was ‘like a bird’ who wanted to ‘fly away’. (Turns out she meant it: ‘Birds are my power animals… eagles are important to me… I’ve always been attracted to ravens…’) Her accordion-heavy second album Folklore was rather niche, but she came roaring back into fashion in 2006 with Loose, produced by hip-hop genius Timbaland and featuring dancefloor favourites such as ‘Promiscuous’, ‘Say It Right’, and the insanely catchy UK number one ‘Maneater’. It was the bestselling album in the US that year. But at the highest point of her success, she suffered a burn-out. One night, she started crying on stage and couldn’t stop. She was struggling to combine being a single mother to her daughter Nevis, now eight, from her relationship with DJ Jasper Gahunia (‘Nevis means snow, and I thought she kinda looked like Snow White when she was born’), with the demands of touring. ‘I was fine by the third song,’ says Nelly. ‘But yes, I’d describe it as a breakdown. Not like a complete one where you have to have a lie-in for 30 days or whatever. But it was like a light bulb went off. I was like, “OK, I’m going to take a break, do some passion projects.” ’ She wrote an album in Spanish, Mi Plan. ‘I felt like I had nothing to say in English, I needed to let it all flow through me in other languages.’ She married her sound engineer, Demacio Castellón, in 2008, and made peace with her inner overachiever. ‘I’m quite proud of myself for learning how to say no. You’ve got to learn how to take care of yourself, how to balance your life. Success is really about spending time with family and friends. And hobbies. I like baking. I like arts and crafts. I like basketball.’ She is surprisingly demure for a girl wearing knuckledusters. ‘Well, it’s been a big couple of years for me, I've been on a real journey. There’s been a big shift in consciousness for me.’ She means getting through the breakdown, writing her new album and also, I think, Gaddafi-gate. In March 2011, as the Libyan dictatorship began to topple, Wikileaks revealed that Mariah Carey, Beyoncé and Usher had each been paid $1 million to play a private gig for Gaddafi’s son’s New Year’s Eve party. Nelly owned up to the fact that she, too, was culpable. ‘In 2007 I received $1 million from the Gaddafi clan to perform a 45-minute show for guests at a hotel in Italy,’ she tweeted. ‘I am going to donate the $.’ When I ask her about it, Nelly tells me that the Gaddafi gig had been weighing on her mind for some time. ‘I did the concert way back when. Then I went to Kenya in January [2011], right before the Arab Spring started, and it was a real education. I was with the Free The Children foundation, and they are so knowledgeable, and we were having conversations, and that was when it kinda hit me, how negative an impact some of these, y’know, dictators have on their people, in the long term. And I just couldn’t stop thinking about that money…’ She puts her hand on her chest, trying to find the words: ‘In my heart I…’ She knew she needed to give the money to charity, fast. ‘That was an interesting journey figuring out what I would do with the money. I really wanted some of it to go towards the territories. So I chose this project called Girls For Change, which is in Gaza and Egypt and Tunisia, and eventually Libya, helping 12- to 18-year-old girls learn leadership skills and empowerment. It’s been so rewarding just to see these girls with what I feel is an indestructible spirit.’ And with that awe-inspiring conversational segue she leads us on to her new album, The Spirit Indestructible, out next month. It must be a fun time to be a pop diva now, in the post-Gaga scene. ‘You definitely can’t be lazy!’ she laughs. Madonna has clearly been an inspiration but would Nelly follow her example and bare, say, a nipple on stage? ‘Me, I think body parts are powerful, so you’ve got to use them wisely. That’s just how I was brought up. As I get older I’ve come into my body more and more and got more comfort-able… I think it’s about doing what you’re comfortable with.’ So in the future she might do something more risqué? ‘That’s what I’m saying!’ Does she feel pressure to wear a lobster on her head? ‘No. I feel that as long as you’re connecting with the crowd that’s the main thing. I still believe in a passionate performance — like Adele, she’s a great performer, and she’s super-vulnerable, so people can relate to that. It’s the vulnerability they’re connecting with.’ Struggling with self-confidence is something Nelly is all too familiar with. ‘Over the past four years I’ve been on something of a journey about my body. I used to be like lots of people in this business: “I need to go on the treadmill for the next photo shoot.” No, you need to train your body for the health of your heart, for flexibility, for your bones, your blood, your nerves, your cells. Not for how you look. Working out for aesthetic purposes just seems so, so…’ Shallow? ‘Maybe. I mean, you’ve got to learn to eat for the right reasons. To eat for nourishment. Not to confuse eating with love, as many families do. Not to eat because you don’t drink, don’t smoke, don’t have any vices, and it’s the only thing you do that feels like something naughty.’ Was that you? ‘Yes, for a while. I ate because it was naughty. As a kid, yeah. It’s a journey everyone goes on. I used to be, like, “Woah!” looking at photos of myself on the red carpet, caring about how I looked. I don’t any more. I don’t even look at the pictures. There’s no value in that.’ Nelly has also banned cable TV at home in Toronto, and frequently switches off internet access. ‘I encourage reading and critical thinking for my daughter. She’s eight years old and I’ve started to teach her some media literacy already. I feel that it’s really important that young men and women know about Photo-shopping. They need to know everybody’s airbrushed, squeezed, shrunk, no one fits into sample sizes — people get surgery to fit into those sizes, girls need to know that.’ But surely Nelly’s publicity photos are airbrushed, too? ‘Yes. I’ve got a lot of creative control over what I look like. On my website I’ve got some documentaries about the making of my album that aren’t airbrushed, it’s just me, doing my thing, going into the studio, with my hair looking a riot. It’s reality.’ So she’s now in what’s known as a good place? ‘I can now look in the mirror naked and love myself,’ she says, then laughs. ‘Sorry, was that too much?’ Quick and birdlike, Nelly really can talk. Although she spouts all the usual pop-star pieties, she’s somehow adorable, a steel butterfly. I respect her for answering maturely about Gaddafi, and the whole Nelly package comes with a delightful dash of the unexpected. She’s invited the Apache world champion hoop dancer Tony Duncan on tour with her, and has been soaking up his Native American philosophy. ‘The eagle symbolises a messenger from the spirit world, so maybe it’s like when I sing I’m sending out a message, a vibration?’ Nelly, I salute you, and your cosmic vibrations. The Spirit Indestructible is out on 17 September. Source

One Direction's new single + brand new info about the album

‘Live While We’re Young’ sees the global superstars once again teaming up with songwriters Savan Kotecha, Rami Yacoub & Carl Falk and the result is unmistakeably One Direction. ‘Live While We’re Young’ is pop perfection – an immediate, energy packed song mixing rock undertones with smooth harmonies, about living for the moment. The eagerly awaited second album is due for release in November 2012 and sees One Direction collaborating with a whole host of first class writers and producers. As well as reuniting with the likes of Rami Yacoub & Carl Falk and Savan Kotecha (‘One Thing’ & ‘What Makes You Beautiful’), Ed Sheeran and McFly’s Tom Fletcher, the album features input from Dr Luke (Katy Perry ‘Teenage Dream’, Taio Cruz ‘Dynamite’), Shellback (Maroon 5 ‘Moves Like Jagger’) and Toby Gad (Beyonce ‘If I Were A Boy’). The album is sure to be another huge smash release from a truly international pop phenomenon. It’s been little short of an incredible year for Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson. Formed on the 2010 series of The X Factor, they released their Number 1 sensation debut single ‘What Makes You Beautiful’ in September 2011 and haven’t looked back since. 1D Mania has swept the globe, with acres of news print being covered and the band selling a massive 12 MILLION records worldwide. Their debut album 'Up All Night' has to date reached No.1 in 17 countries – becoming the first UK band to debut at No.1 on the US Billboard chart with their first album. They've sold out tours across the UK, USA, Australia and New Zealand, alongside New York’s Madison Square Garden along the way. One Direction's live dvd has also been an amazing success, reaching No.1 in 27 different countries. In Spring 2013 One Direction will begin their sold out World Tour in the UK which includes a massive nine shows at London’s O2 Arena. The sophomore album will be released November 13th. www.onedirectionmusic.com www.twitter.com/onedirection www.facebook.com/onedirectionmusic

Justin Biebers Taylor Swift and Kanye duets remain unheard.

Justin Bieber recorded deuts with both Taylor Swift and Kanye West for his current 'Believe' album - but neither were able to be included on the finished record. In an interview with MTV News, manager Scooter Braun opened up about some of Bieber’s celebrity collaborations. Speaking about the teen star’s duet with Taylor Swift, Braun said: “It didn't go on Believe, because there's another record they want to work on. So, it just didn't make sense at this time, and the song they did just didn't make sense on this album.” The song had been much anticipated, with even Bieber’s girlfriend Selena Gomez speaking out and calling the track ‘beautiful.’ Another collaboration that didn’t make it onto the ‘Believe’ record was with Kanye West, a duet that Braun said “didn’t make sense at this time.” Finally, Braun added that Bieber had been interested in working with Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine. Braun said: “We talked with Adam Levine about doing stuff. And he wanted to, but with everything else, we could just never get the studio time in together.” Tickets for Justin Bieber’s 2013 UK tour are currently on sale.

Info on the 2nd Britney Episode.

The show's second Britney Spears episode will be the second one back and (naturally!) feature a lot of Morris -- and Rachel. "We were able to take the Britney Spears-themed episode in the choir room and have it in New York and see how that affects the Rachel story line," Falchuk said. In a similar fashion, expect the thematic events that take place at McKinley to extend to other characters whose story lines are taking place out of state. "An assignment for the glee club one week could affect a choice Rachel might make with an assignment at school," he said, noting that modern technology could help tie story lines together. "We've been using that as a way to bind it." http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/comic-con-2012-glee-season-4-349280 Cant wait!! MH

John Mayer Talks about "Dear John"

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/john-mayer-taylor-swifts-dear-john-song-humiliated-me-20120606#ixzz1wzRC2mlH Quote: John Mayer says that he was "really humiliated" by Taylor Swift's song "Dear John," which the country-pop star allegedly wrote about him. "It made me feel terrible," Mayer says in the new issue of Rolling Stone, on newsstands Friday. "Because I didn't deserve it. I'm pretty good at taking accountability now, and I never did anything to deserve that. It was a really lousy thing for her to do." Swift's song, which appeared on her best-selling 2010 album Speak Now, was released shortly after Mayer went on a two-year hiatus following his controversial interviews with Rolling Stone and Playboy. "Dear John, I see it all, now it was wrong / Don't you think 19 is too young to be played by your dark twisted games, when I loved you so?" Swift sings on the tune, a staple of her live set. Swift and Mayer were romantically linked before the song's release, and in an interview conducted shortly after, the singer indicated that the song's subject would be apparent. "There are things that were little nuances of the relationship, little hints," said Swift. "Everyone will know, so I don't really have to send out emails on this one." Mayer now tells Rolling Stone that he learned about Swift's feelings directly from her song. "I never got an e-mail. I never got a phone call," he says. "I was really caught off-guard, and it really humiliated me at a time when I'd already been dressed down. I mean, how would you feel if, at the lowest you've ever been, someone kicked you even lower?" When asked about the song's line, "Don't you think I was too young to be messed with?" Mayer says, "I don't want to go into that." Mayer also takes issue with "Dear John" as a musician. "I will say as a songwriter that I think it's kind of cheap songwriting," he says. "I know she's the biggest thing in the world, and I'm not trying to sink anybody's ship, but I think it's abusing your talent to rub your hands together and go, 'Wait till he gets a load of this!' That's bullshit." Oh boo freaking hoo. That alsobum was over 2 years and your JUST talking about. If it really upset you you would have said something much earlier. Not the biggest fan of Swift but Mayer is annoying and douchey as hell. MH

Details On Miley's Album

http://www.eonline.com/news/miley_cyrus_very_adult_sexy_new_album/321638#ixzz1x3u7wAP9 Quote: Miley has a wedding to plan, but that doesn't mean she's taking a break from her career! A source tells E! News that the engaged star has been quietly working on her next studio album, which is going to be "very adult and sexy and believable." The insider adds that the album will "one hundred percent" come out before she and Liam Hemsworth say "I do." But Cyrus certainly isn't forsaking her hot Aussie beau. In fact, the former Disney star is "on her way" to New Orleans to reunite with Hemsworth later this week, a source says. Hemsworth, 22, is in the Big Easy working on the set of Empire State. Cyrus,19, is planning to spend the week "enjoying her man," according to sources. We have a feeling, though, that she won't be relaxing with Hemsworth for too long. An insider says Cyrus is "having fun making music" for "the first time in her career." "We are watching a young girl turn into a young woman," adds the source. Cyrus is working with various record producers, including Pharrell Williams in Miami and L.A.-based Hit-Boy, who has produced for the likes of Kanye West, Jay-Z and Eminem. The ex-Hannah Montana star's engagement is just one piece of her maturation puzzle. Another was her decision earlier this year to part ways with her longtime manager from her Disney days and sign up with veteran music manager Bruce Flohr of Red Light Management. Flohr has worked with artists such as Dave Matthews Band and Foo Fighters and is helping Cyrus cultivate her new sound in studio sessions that an industry source is calling "Miley 2.0." Sorry I haven't been posting lately. I am currently the the last few months of school so everything is getting crazy for me. MH

Ciara's New Album Details

Ciara held a album listening tonight in NYC. A couple of people at the party tweeted from the party and revealed some album tracks. Titles Revealed: One Woman Army ("glo stick music") DUI (Allegedly Produced by Swizz Beatz/written by Ester Dean) Pullover (Produced by tricky) Turned Up Boy Outta Here (feat. Rick Ross) Only One ("kinda jazzy, super overproduced, heavy autotune, BANGS") All I Need Is One Night (Produced by tricky) Sorry (ballad) Overdose Confirmed Features: Rick Ross, 2 Chainz, Nicki Minaj, and Missy Elliott (from previous tweet of hers)