Jay-Z's Las Vegas 40/40 franchise may not open in time for New Year's Eve as planned.
Recent reports claim the Sin City venue failed to pass inspection, putting plans for a Vegas 40/40 New Year's Eve celebration in serious jeopardy.
According to PerezHilton.com, close sources have revealed that, "Unless Jay-Z and his team miraculously come up with certain licenses and certificates by Sunday (Dec. 30), then they won't be able to go on with their New Year's Eve party plans."
Hov's inspection woes have deeper repercussions -- if the club can't meet the necessary requirements, then Jay-Z and his partners will be forced to refund all opening night tickets, adding even further expense to a venture that has yet to see any profits.
Despite unforeseen problems with the Vegas 40/40, Jay-Z fans in the area will still have an opportunity to witness the Brooklyn MC and entrepreneur in concert.
As SOHH previously reported, Jay-Z is scheduled to perform at the Palm Casino Resort's luxe Pearl Concert Theater tomorrow. Tickets for the show, which were originally priced for $225, sold out within an hour of going on sale.
Kanye West is also scheduled to perform at the Pearl Concert Theater for a New Year's Eve performance.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Usher Plans To Drop New Disc In Early '08, Michael Jackson Collabo In The Works
R&B superstar Usher Raymond recently spoke up about his new role as a husband and father as well as his next album, which may feature a special guest appearance from the "King of Pop" himself, Michael Jackson.
In a recent interview with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Usher revealed his plans to release a new album by Spring of 2008.
"I've been diligently working on creating a masterpiece," the singer said. "It's going to be out first or maybe the second quarter. And there will be a video and single out at the top of the year."
So far Usher is planning to drop "Love In The Club," which was produced by Polow Da Don, as the album's lead single. Fans may also be treated to a collaboration between Usher, Michael Jackson and T-Pain - however the details are still being worked out.
"It's been created, but it's not recorded," Usher admitted. "As long as Michael is open to it, hey, anything goes!"
A newlywed father, Page Six reports previously blamed album delays on Usher's new wife, Tameka Foster-Raymond. The couple tied the knot this August and welcomed the birth of their first child together, son Usher Raymond V, in November.
"I'm really like super dad," Raymond told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "I really cook for the family. ... Now I basically do chicken and broccoli and steamed vegetables, because I'm on this diet. But believe me, I can fry some chicken too . . . I really clean up. I walk the dog, myself. I burp the baby. I change the diapers. I'm super dad. And it's only begun!"
Usher and his wife have yet to publicly release any photos of the child, however his new role as a father has also encouraged a budding photography hobby.
"I've become an instant photographer," Usher said. "Developing them and everything."
An official release date for Usher's upcoming as-yet-untitled project has not been released.
In a recent interview with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Usher revealed his plans to release a new album by Spring of 2008.
"I've been diligently working on creating a masterpiece," the singer said. "It's going to be out first or maybe the second quarter. And there will be a video and single out at the top of the year."
So far Usher is planning to drop "Love In The Club," which was produced by Polow Da Don, as the album's lead single. Fans may also be treated to a collaboration between Usher, Michael Jackson and T-Pain - however the details are still being worked out.
"It's been created, but it's not recorded," Usher admitted. "As long as Michael is open to it, hey, anything goes!"
A newlywed father, Page Six reports previously blamed album delays on Usher's new wife, Tameka Foster-Raymond. The couple tied the knot this August and welcomed the birth of their first child together, son Usher Raymond V, in November.
"I'm really like super dad," Raymond told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "I really cook for the family. ... Now I basically do chicken and broccoli and steamed vegetables, because I'm on this diet. But believe me, I can fry some chicken too . . . I really clean up. I walk the dog, myself. I burp the baby. I change the diapers. I'm super dad. And it's only begun!"
Usher and his wife have yet to publicly release any photos of the child, however his new role as a father has also encouraged a budding photography hobby.
"I've become an instant photographer," Usher said. "Developing them and everything."
An official release date for Usher's upcoming as-yet-untitled project has not been released.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Beyonce's Sis, Solange Knowles, Signs With Geffen
Solange Knowles, younger sister to international pop-star Beyonce, recently inked a deal with Geffen Records and plans to release her sophomore album next year.
According to Billboard, Solange has been working out of a studio in L.A., but don't expect the result to sound anything like Beyonce.
"Her record is totally bananas," Geffen Records chairman Ron Fair said. "It's not what people would expect from her. The music is more eclectic and international. She's in her own lane."
"It's a touch of retro with beautiful R&B songs and influences of early Natalie Cole and Carole King, and she's only 22," he continued. "I'm crazy about the Pharrell Williams' record that she recently finished, called 'I Decided.' We're finishing the album now."
The disc titled Just What I Want, is the follow-up to 2003's Solo Star, which was on Columbia and is slated to hit shelves in the second quarter of 2008.
According to Billboard, Solange has been working out of a studio in L.A., but don't expect the result to sound anything like Beyonce.
"Her record is totally bananas," Geffen Records chairman Ron Fair said. "It's not what people would expect from her. The music is more eclectic and international. She's in her own lane."
"It's a touch of retro with beautiful R&B songs and influences of early Natalie Cole and Carole King, and she's only 22," he continued. "I'm crazy about the Pharrell Williams' record that she recently finished, called 'I Decided.' We're finishing the album now."
The disc titled Just What I Want, is the follow-up to 2003's Solo Star, which was on Columbia and is slated to hit shelves in the second quarter of 2008.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Pimp C Found Dead
Pimp C of the long-running Texas hip-hop group UGK was found dead Tuesday (December 4) in a Los Angeles hotel room. He was 33.
Few details were available at press time, but according to TMZ, the rapper's body was found at the Mondrian Hotel Tuesday morning after the Los Angeles County Fire Department responded to a 911 call. The MC (real name: Chad Butler), was reportedly dead when officers arrived on the scene.
A press release issued on behalf of his family Tuesday reads as follows:
"It is with great regret that I must confirm that Chad Butler, a.k.a. Pimp C, one half of the legendary UGK, was in fact discovered dead this morning.
"Manager Rick Martin is asking that everyone please respect his family and those close to him at this time and refrain from rumors and innuendo.
A formal statement will be released later this afternoon. Thank you all for understanding."
Inquiries made to the West Hollywood Police Department and the Mondrian Hotel by MTV News were inconclusive at press time; a police spokesperson said the body has not been officially identified.
Based in Port Arthur, Texas, UGK — Pimp C and Bun B — formed in the late 1980s and released their first album, Too Hard To Swallow, in 1992. While the group long enjoyed a strong underground following, Pimp C was perhaps best known in recent years for the "Free Pimp C" campaign launched by Bun B. Butler was sentenced to eight years in prison in 2002 for failure to comply with probation restrictions following a conviction for aggravated assault, but was released late in 2005..
In the wake of his imprisonment, Bun B. brought greater fame to the group as scores of hip-hop fans donned "Free Pimp C" T-shirts at shows and shouted the refrain in call-and-respond chants lead by Bun B.
The buzz helped the group's comeback LP, UGK: Underground Kingz, debut at #1 on the Billboard charts upon its release in August. The album spawned the hit single "International Players Anthem," the video of which featured an all-star cast including OutKast, Three 6 Mafia and others.
Early this year, UGK was voted the #10 Greatest Hip-Hop Group of All Time in an MTV News feature.
UGK entered the mainstream in 1999 after collaborating with Jay-Z on the single "Big Pimpin' " from the Brooklyn rapper's Vol 3: Life and Times of S. Carter. Pimp C said the song, UGK's most mainstream track, was a collaboration he wasn't entirely fond of at first, as he felt the track was too soft for his group's image.
MTV News visited the rapper in prison and spoke with him regarding his tribulations while being incarcerated. Upon his release from prison, Pimp C became an outspoken critic of hip-hop glamorization of jail.
"It's not a party. It's not fun," Pimp said. "Jail affected my whole family. My family got locked up. My group got locked up. I lost when I went to prison. That's something to be ashamed of, and that's not a badge of honor. My youngest son was 8 years old when I went in. I came back and he's a teenager. I can't get them years back."
Few details were available at press time, but according to TMZ, the rapper's body was found at the Mondrian Hotel Tuesday morning after the Los Angeles County Fire Department responded to a 911 call. The MC (real name: Chad Butler), was reportedly dead when officers arrived on the scene.
A press release issued on behalf of his family Tuesday reads as follows:
"It is with great regret that I must confirm that Chad Butler, a.k.a. Pimp C, one half of the legendary UGK, was in fact discovered dead this morning.
"Manager Rick Martin is asking that everyone please respect his family and those close to him at this time and refrain from rumors and innuendo.
A formal statement will be released later this afternoon. Thank you all for understanding."
Inquiries made to the West Hollywood Police Department and the Mondrian Hotel by MTV News were inconclusive at press time; a police spokesperson said the body has not been officially identified.
Based in Port Arthur, Texas, UGK — Pimp C and Bun B — formed in the late 1980s and released their first album, Too Hard To Swallow, in 1992. While the group long enjoyed a strong underground following, Pimp C was perhaps best known in recent years for the "Free Pimp C" campaign launched by Bun B. Butler was sentenced to eight years in prison in 2002 for failure to comply with probation restrictions following a conviction for aggravated assault, but was released late in 2005..
In the wake of his imprisonment, Bun B. brought greater fame to the group as scores of hip-hop fans donned "Free Pimp C" T-shirts at shows and shouted the refrain in call-and-respond chants lead by Bun B.
The buzz helped the group's comeback LP, UGK: Underground Kingz, debut at #1 on the Billboard charts upon its release in August. The album spawned the hit single "International Players Anthem," the video of which featured an all-star cast including OutKast, Three 6 Mafia and others.
Early this year, UGK was voted the #10 Greatest Hip-Hop Group of All Time in an MTV News feature.
UGK entered the mainstream in 1999 after collaborating with Jay-Z on the single "Big Pimpin' " from the Brooklyn rapper's Vol 3: Life and Times of S. Carter. Pimp C said the song, UGK's most mainstream track, was a collaboration he wasn't entirely fond of at first, as he felt the track was too soft for his group's image.
MTV News visited the rapper in prison and spoke with him regarding his tribulations while being incarcerated. Upon his release from prison, Pimp C became an outspoken critic of hip-hop glamorization of jail.
"It's not a party. It's not fun," Pimp said. "Jail affected my whole family. My family got locked up. My group got locked up. I lost when I went to prison. That's something to be ashamed of, and that's not a badge of honor. My youngest son was 8 years old when I went in. I came back and he's a teenager. I can't get them years back."
Monday, December 3, 2007
Thompson Exits Island Def Jam
Staffing cuts continue at Universal Music Group’s Island Def Jam division. A&R representatives Paul Pontius and Rob Stevenson have exited, following last week’s departure of executive VP of promotion Greg Thompson.
Additionally, the staff of imprint Stolen Transmission, which was co-founded by Stevenson and blogger Sarah Lewitinn, was also let go.
In total, ten staffers have been cut to this point.
Via her personal blog, Lewitinn has stated that she plans to continue running Stolen Transmission as an indie.
Additionally, the staff of imprint Stolen Transmission, which was co-founded by Stevenson and blogger Sarah Lewitinn, was also let go.
In total, ten staffers have been cut to this point.
Via her personal blog, Lewitinn has stated that she plans to continue running Stolen Transmission as an indie.
Akon Pleads Not Guilty In Fan Tossing Debacle
Akon has pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor criminal charges today (December 3) for throwing a teenaged boy off the stage during a June performance in upstate New York.
The boy thrown off the stage landed on a minor named Abby Rosa, who suffered a conncussion when the boy landed on her.
The incident took place during a performance in Fishkill, New York on June 3.
Akon asked the crowd to point out an individual who had thrown an item on stage during his performance.
The culprit, a teenaged boy, was singled out and security brought him up on stage. After picking the boy up and hoisting him up on his shoulders, Akon propelled him back into the crowd, where he landed on Rosa.
"It was never Akon's intention to violate the law," Akon’s manager Benjamin Brafman said in a written statement. "This unfortunate incident was a spontaneous reaction during a live concert that Akon deeply regrets."
This is not the first time the multi-platinum star has been scrutinized for his antics during concerts.
Akon came under fire in April, after footage of a concert in Trinidad hit the net showing the singer having simulated sex on stage with what turned out to be a 14-year-old girl, who was allowed into the club despite being under aged.
He later apologized for the incident.
The boy thrown off the stage landed on a minor named Abby Rosa, who suffered a conncussion when the boy landed on her.
The incident took place during a performance in Fishkill, New York on June 3.
Akon asked the crowd to point out an individual who had thrown an item on stage during his performance.
The culprit, a teenaged boy, was singled out and security brought him up on stage. After picking the boy up and hoisting him up on his shoulders, Akon propelled him back into the crowd, where he landed on Rosa.
"It was never Akon's intention to violate the law," Akon’s manager Benjamin Brafman said in a written statement. "This unfortunate incident was a spontaneous reaction during a live concert that Akon deeply regrets."
This is not the first time the multi-platinum star has been scrutinized for his antics during concerts.
Akon came under fire in April, after footage of a concert in Trinidad hit the net showing the singer having simulated sex on stage with what turned out to be a 14-year-old girl, who was allowed into the club despite being under aged.
He later apologized for the incident.
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