Along with promoting his new single (“Guitar”) and forthcoming album (Planet Earth) in a deal with Verizon, Prince will play a private show in a Minneapolis Macy’s on July 7 to promote his new fragrance, 3121. The artist will also be busy throughout the summer with shows in London and Los Angeles, but his gigs will be solo. The Purple One has reportedly snubbed Michael Jackson’s proposal for the two to tour together.
Quincy Jones has also apparently said no to Jackson, who contacted the producer to help recreate the magic the duo made on Off the Wall, Thriller and Bad on his next studio album. Jones was quoted as saying, “We already did that … I’ve got too much to do.” Jackson, who’s reportedly released a song on the Internet that features Pras, will be working with the Black Eyed Peas’ will.i.am on the album that is scheduled for release later in the year.
Jackson can find some solace in his recently purchased financial stake in the Famous Music catalog, one that includes songs by rapper Eminem, whose hit, “Just Lose It,” made fun of Jackson. Through the purchase, Jackson also owns the rights to works by Shakira, Björk and Beck. Sister LaToya Jackson also hinted that a Jackson family tour is in the works that would feature Michael, Janet and the rest of the clan.
(If Eminem wants some new copyrights, perhaps he’ll embrace Andrew Lloyd Webber’s recent public adoration and collaborate with the composer on a Broadway play.)
From the stage to the screen, Kylie Minogue’s documentary, White Diamond, will coincide with an album of the same name. The film showcases Minogue’s battle with and eventual defeat of breast cancer. Ray J will be noticeably absent from the silver screen, as his small screen sex tape with Kim Kardashian caused him to be dropped from consideration for a role in a gospel flick starring Yolanda Adams.
Equally unlucky is Ray J’s sister, Brandy, who is being sued for her involvement in a car accident that killed a woman in December. The singer and former star of Moesha denies all the claims brought forth in the lawsuit.
Britney Spears, on the other hand, proudly proclaimed that she hit rock bottom after her divorce from Kevin Federline and entered rehab. The message, posted on her Web site, said she has been humbled by her current escapades and has a clearer view of her life and career. Spears’ ex, Justin Timberlake, has expanded his own career and is now the CEO of his own label, Tennman Records. The label will be distributed by Interscope/Geffen/A&M, but no roster of artists has been announced.
Kanye West, whose next album was supposed to be released in September, will instead drop Graduation in late August. “Stronger” is scheduled to be the album's first single and features behind-the-board work from Daft Punk. The catchy beat from the group’s “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger” serves as the often-controversial rapper’s melody on the track. An equally unexpected partnership will be on Enrique Iglesias’ new album, Insomniac, where the song “Push” features rhymes by Lil Wayne. Iglesias will further diversify his sound with production from Max Martin, Mark Taylor, Johnta Austin, Sean Garrett and Brian Kidd.
Neil Tennant, member of the Pet Shop Boys, took a stance against the upcoming Live Earth concert and U2 frontman, Bono. Tennant (who at the time probably wasn’t aware that Rihanna and Linkin Park had been added to the roster of performers) feels the show is a pompous display of rockstars preaching to their fans. He also questioned the other members of U2’s comfort with Bono being such a strong critic for everything from AIDS in Africa to global warming.
Bono has probably said a thing or two about terrorism, something Tiësto had to deal with prior to his upcoming show in Lebanon. Rumors were flying around the Internet that the group Fatah al-Islam would kill the DJ if he performed on July 2, but the Web site that initially published the report that sparked these rumors retracted the story and apologized. Tiësto is still scheduled to perform at the concert, while trip-hop duo Portishead will make a return to the stage in Britain. The group will perform live for the first time in 10 years at the All Tomorrow’s Parties’ annual Nightmare Before Christmas event outside of London.
Bon Jovi and the Police will also hit the stage once MTV brings back its famous Unplugged series. Kenny Chesney, Mary J. Blige and John Mayer will also perform in their own showcases, some of which will be aired on the network with others being tailored and shown on sister networks VH1 and CMT: Country Music Television. Also making a comeback is dance record label Strictly Rhythm. To celebrate the occasion, a double compilation mixed by “Little” Louie Vega and Kenny “Dope” Gonzalez called Strictly M.A.W. will feature the duo once again teaming up under their Masters at Work moniker, though each DJ will mix one CD in the set. The label is also releasing its first new single in five years, “Get Down,” which is a collaboration with Gonzalez, Todd Terry, DJ Sneak and Terry Hunter that features vocals from Tara McDonald.
The performer of the latest new dance craze, Jason Fox, has joined the roster of Island Urban under its leader, Jermaine Dupri. Fox’s “Aunt Jackie” has received thousands of views on YouTube and Dupri says the song features “ … the kids acting like kids used to act when I was growing up, and I love it because, to me, hip-hop has been too cool for school lately. It's time for a change.”
A man who was always too cool for school was James Brown, whose tribute will kick off TV One’s recognition of Black Music Month (June) with Godfather of Soul debuting on Friday, June 8 at 8:30 p.m. The program will highlight the career of Brown and will feature tributes by artists and celebrities such as Dick Clark, Little Richard, Michael Jackson, MC Hammer, Bobby Brown, Chuck D, Flavor Flav and a slew of others.
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