News
Pretty Ricky Takes #1 Spot On Billboard Top 200
Posten on: 2008-10-22 10:21:36
"LATE NIGHT SPECIAL," the new album from Blue Star Entertainment International/Atlantic recording group Pretty Ricky, has made a triumphant debut in the #1 spot on both the Billboard 200 and "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums" charts. With total sales of over 132,000, the album's explosive first week in stores gives the Florida-based foursome the biggest-selling chart debut of 2007 thus far. "On The Hotline," the first single/video from "LATE NIGHT SPECIAL," leaps to #6 at Urban radio and to #8 at Rhythmic Top 40, where it enjoys the most increased airplay this week. In addition, the album's second single, "Push It Baby," is set to impact at multi-format outlets in February. Pretty Ricky - rappers Slick 'Em, Baby Blue, and Spectacular, and singer Pleasure - kicked off the release of "LATE NIGHT SPECIAL" last week with a stellar performance on BET's 106 & Park, where the "On The Hotline" companion video spent several days at #1 on the daily countdown. Now in "Heavy" rotation, the clip was BET's most-played video of the week. What's more, Pretty Ricky closed out the week with an additional pair of BET appearances, guesting on the January 27th installments of the network's Hosted Saturday and Top 25 Countdown. Pretty Ricky has also been highly visible on MTV, including a visit to MTV's Total Request Live, where the "On The Hotline" video quickly entered the countdown's top 10. The clip has just been added to the MTV playlist, while also blowing up in "Simmerin'" rotation at MTV Jams. Pretty Ricky will also make their late night television debut February 20th when the group will perform "On The Hotline" and "Push It" on ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live. "On The Hotline" is a massive ringtone hit, currently standing at #5 on Nielsen Ringscan's "Top 200 Mastertones" chart. Pretty Ricky is also hugely popular online, with nearly 400,000 friends registered on their MySpace page, placing them in the top 3 of MySpace's "Top Artists." At YouTube, the group's recently launched "Pretty Ricky TV" - which features a variety of exclusive videos - has already hit the top of the site's rankings as the month's #1 Most Subscribed Channel, as well as reaching the top 10 of YouTube's all-time Most Viewed Musicians pages. Over at their own www.prettyricky.com, Pretty Ricky has just begun an exclusive sweepstakes where fans can win a trip for two to New York City to see the superstar quartet perform live in concert. Concert winners will also get to travel to the show in a limo, and meet the members of Pretty Ricky backstage. Pretty Ricky will reveal tour plans for 2007 shortly. In late-2006, Pretty Ricky introduced fans to "LATE NIGHT SPECIAL" with show-stealing performances on the "Scream Tour 5: Ruff & Ready, Young & Sexy." The BET-sponsored trek saw Pretty Ricky commanding arena stages across America with some of R&B and hip-hop's hottest new stars, including Omarion, Ne-Yo, Mario, and Yung Joc. In other news, Pretty Ricky will be featured on the March cover of Black Beat magazine, which hits newsstands on February 13th.
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Hip Hop News: Kanye West Slams Beanie Sigel, Battles 50 Cent
Posten on: 2008-10-22 10:21:36
Kanye West has attacked rap rival Beanie Sigel after he accused him of being gay and urged him to "come out of the closet." Sigel criticized West's dress sense during a recent interview, and suggested his Roc-A-Fella labelmate was a homosexual. Kanye used an interview with Hot 97 DJ Angie Martinez to hit back at Sigel, describing the comments as "so disrespectful." He also appeals to Sigel, saying, "Why wouldn't you come to me and talk to me about it?" In other Kanye news, the rapper is refusing to change the release date of his new album "Graduation", despite it clashing with the drop date of 50 Cent's latest disc. Kanye initially planned to release Graduation August 21st, however he and 50 Cent - real name Curtis Jackson - will release their albums simultaneously on September 11th. He tells MTV, "The date, Graduation, September 11, we ain't moving. I'd rather come out on a day like that, up against 50 - where people are excited about going to the stores and it's an event and people talk about it - and be number two on that day, rather than come out and be number one on a day nobody cares about." "It's about things going down in history. It's not that much exciting stuff in hip-hop right now. I think people are going to make it more than what I'm making it myself."
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Gwen Stefani Back To Business; New Album, DVD and Dolls Coming Soon
Posten on: 2008-10-22 10:21:36
After taking some required time off following the birth of her first child, R&B/Pop singer Gwen Stefani is stepping back into action with a variety of new projects. According to sources, Stefani is hard at work on new material for a second solo album. Stefani booked studio time with her No Doubt bandmate Tony Kanal, Pharrell Williams, Akon and Swizz Beatz. Despite having a head start on another album, the artist told Billboard.com late last year she was resisting the temptation to go right back in the studio. "Honestly, I need to get inspired," she said. "I don't have a real focus of musical inspiration right now, and it was so strong with 'Love.Angel.Music.Baby.' I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I had such a fire of inspiration and I feel like I used it all up." "Love.Angel.Music.Baby," which has sold 3.8 million copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan. "I just wanted to hear the fans sing the songs back and make it feel real," Stefani said. "Being in a band that [has toured for] so many years, to not have that be part of this album just felt like I would be missing out. The initial tour was only 19 shows and it turned into 42." According to Stefani's site, a concert DVD, "Harajuku Lovers Live," will also arrive before the end of the year. The film was shot at the Arrowhead Pond in Stefani's hometown of Anaheim, Calif., and was directed by Sophie Muller. Finally, this fall will see the release of eight dolls inspired by the album and tour that are reflective of "the distinctive style and personality which have made Gwen Stefani an icon," her site says. The dolls will be bundled with interchangeable outfits as well as Stefani posters, trading cards and other accessories.
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Rihanna’s ‘Good Girl Gone Bad’ to be Repackaged and Released
Posten on: 2008-10-22 10:21:36
R&B singer Rihanna will re-release her 2007 hit album, "Good Girl Gone Bad," on May 27 via Def Jam Records. The revamped set will feature new a single called "Take A Bow." The track, about a deceiving partner, was written by Ne-Yo and produced by Stargate. It was made available to media outlets on (March 14) via the label's website. An accompanying video is slated to be recorded and released in coming weeks, although dates have not been announced as of press time. "Good Girl Gone Bad" reached No. 2 on The Billboard 200 and No. 3 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts following its initial release on June 5, 2007. To date, the album has sold 1.1 million copies in the United States according to Nielsen Soundscan. Meanwhile, "Umbrella," the set's first single, topped both the Pop and Hot 100.
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R&B Legend Stevie Wonder Takes on Nascar
Posten on: 2008-10-22 10:21:36
Twenty-five time Grammy Award winner, Stevie Wonder, will serve as Grand Marshal of California Speedway’s Sharp AQUOS 500 to be held on September 2, 2007, Speedway President Gillian Zucker announced Tuesday (Aug 7). Wonder will announce the, “Gentlemen, Start Your Engines” command to the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup drivers in front of the live audience and millions of fans watching at home on ESPN’s race broadcast. “We are absolutely thrilled to have a talent the likes of Stevie Wonder serving as our Grand Marshal,” said Zucker. “Stevie is one of the most influential icons in the world of music who literally has millions of fans across the globe.” One of the most celebrated R&B singer/songwriters of his generation, Wonder first gained national fame when, at the age of 12, and then known as “Little Stevie Wonder,” his single “Fingertips (Pt. II)” topped the pop charts. Over the past four decades he has amassed an astounding 49 Top Forty singles and 32 #1 singles including “Superstition,” “You Are The Sunshine Of My Life,” and “Sir Duke,” with worldwide sales of over 100 million units. Stevie Wonder is an artist, songwriter and producer who, over the course of his career, has received 25 Grammy Awards, the prestigious Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and an Academy Award. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989 and the Songwriters’ Hall of Fame in 2002. In 2004 he received Billboard Magazine’s Century Award, the publication’s highest award for creative achievement. Stevie is also beloved for his compassion for humanity and his desire to challenge injustice. In 1983 Stevie spearheaded the realization of "Martin Luther King Day" as a national holiday. Stevie’s passion for helping others includes his participation in the massive 1985 "We Are The World" fundraiser, numerous charitable events benefiting cancer, diabetes, and MS research, as well as being an avid supporter for those with disabilities. Stevie’s Annual House Full of Toys Benefit Concert provides toys, clothing, educational products, etc., along with holiday cheer for children and families in need.
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