'Tha Carter III' Sells A Million Plus First WeekBillboard have confirmed that Lil’ Wayne’s much hyped ‘Carter III’ LP has shifted over 1 million units in its first week on sale. The album’s first week showing now stands as the highest since 50 Cent’s million + debut with ‘The Massacre’ back in 2005′. Click here to read more about Wayne’s amazing achievement

Your thoughts?
Mary J. Blige Foots Bill For Young Shopper Mary J. Blige showed her generosity whilst on a visit to New York recently. Check out the report via the NY Post:

MARY J. Blige has a heart the size of her record sales. Last week, Blige was at the Diane von Furstenberg store in the Meatpacking District when she overheard a girl having a problem at the register. A spy said, “The girl had a dress on hold that she loved, and the bill was $900. She thought it was only $500, and she couldn’t afford it.” Blige told the saleswoman, “Go get the girl. I want to pay for the balance on the dress.” The customer at first declined Blige’s offer but relented after the singer said, “I know what it’s like to want something and not be able to have it. I insist.” The customer wanted to send her a check for the balance, but Blige said, “Just enjoy it. I’m blessed, so let me do this.”

Good on Mary…

Any thoughts?

Just days after publicly saying ‘F**k G-Unit’, a teary Young Buck recently called up 50 Cent to apologize, begging to rejoin the group because he is broke and without direction. Check out the phone call, which has been making the rounds on the net, below:

Damn. Whoever leaked that to the net was wrong for doing so; it’s really not a good look for Buck whichever way this mess turns out in the end. Still, saying that, it really drives home the shadiness that goes on behind the scenes; all the constant flaunting rappers like Buck do of a lifestyle they in reality don’t lead is made all the more evident here.

Your thoughts?

Mariah Carey - 'I'll Be Loving U Long Time' (Remix) (ft. T.I.) There’s no word on how ‘official’ this remix of Mariah’s latest single is. However the T.I. verse adds little of subtance to the track, considering the production and Mariah’s vocals are the exact same as the album version. All in all, still pretty decent.

Hit or Miss?
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Naomi Campbell's Hair DisappearingSupermodel Naomi Campbell was snapped leaving restaurant Cipriani here in London last night. Pic speaks for itself, I guess…SMH.

What do you think of the pic?
Swizz Beats To Produce Jackson Stage Show? Hit-maker Swizz Beats has added fuel to the rumors that Michael Jackson is gearing up for a live comeback, after revealing that he is in in talks to musically produce a tour for The King of Pop:

The Thriller superstar has already enlisted the talents of R+B stars Ne-Yo and Akon to work on his forthcoming LP, and now Swizz Beatz has confirmed he is contributing to the project as well.

But Swizz also admits there has been talk about some live shows.

He tells MTV.com, “I’m working on this new Michael Jackson s**t. I’m probably gonna be producing his tour and everything.”

Jackson prompted speculation he will headline his own Las Vegas residency when an equity group linked to the Las Vegas Hilton helped him save his Neverland Ranch from foreclosure earlier this year (08).

He has also made a number of personal appearances in the Nevada city of late.

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As a fan of Swizz Beats production (T.I’s ‘Bring Em’ Out’, Beyonce’s ‘Get Me Bodied’ etc), I’m pretty amped to see what will come of his and Michael’s pairing. Saying that, all this talk of a new album and tour have been too long in progress. Here’s hoping things start happening soon.

Any thoughts?

T-Pain Update; London Listening Session NotesI was fortunate enough to be invited to the listening session for T-Pain’s forthcoming effort ‘Thr33 Ringz’ (due September 30th), which took place today in South-West London. The press playback, for which our preview will be posted soon, was hosted by the ‘Bartender’ singer himself.

Following the previewing of the record, T-Pain went on to reveal a number of his coming projects, one of which is his Nappy Boy Digital record label. Signed artists will be geared more toward the digital market (i.e. iTunes, ringtones etc) – an area the singer, himself, has experienced the majority of his success. I must say I was pretty impressed by the concept of this, especially when considering the proliferation of uninspired artist-owned-labels out there.

Also a tour with Danity Kane, Keyshia Cole and Lil’ Wayne is scheduled for later this year. It wasn’t confirmed as to whether it will be a US trek only or International.
However, most interestingly, T-Pain, for the first time, spoke about a forthcoming ‘Best of Both Worlds’ type project with none other than Lil’ Wayne. With a current working title of ‘He Raps, He Sings’, the pair have already recorded a few tracks for the record, however will enter the studio in October to record the bulk of the LP. According to T-Pain, Timbaland is being tapped to produce the majority of the project.

Your thoughts?
Michelle Williams - 'Unexpected' CoverCheck out the official cover of Michelle Williams’ forthcoming album ‘Unexpected’, which drops August 12th via Music World/Columbia. I’m liking this; the cover captures the concept of the album very well.

What do you think of the cover?
'Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded': Will You Be Buying?The re-release of Rihanna’s third album ‘Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded’ hit stores across the globe this week.

It’s perhaps best I hold my tongue on this one. Saying that, though…


Will you be buying the ‘Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded’ re-release?
John Legend - 'Greenlight (ft. Andre 3000)' With John Legend hard away at work on his third studio album, a new cut from the R&B crooner has surfaced. Said to be the the LP’s first single, the Andre 3000 assisted ‘Greenlight’ sees John embrace a radically different sound to what we’re used to hearing from him; the record is very EuroPop/Dance sounding.
As of those who felt John’s sophomore effort ‘Once Again’ was a snooze-fest, I welcome this change of sound, most especially considering that the track itself is pretty good.

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Newly formed girl-group sensations Girlicious performed at the MuchMusic Video Awards in Toronto, Canada yesterday. The girls gave a live rendition of current single ‘Like Me’ check it out:

Hmm…ok, I guess. They are evidently still very ‘green’, which is understandable. I’m thinking those Danity Kane comparisons can be put to rest for the time being now though.

Random tidbit: I’m a bit puzzled as to how little promotion they’ve done thus far considering their self-titled debut is due in stores early July. I wonder if it’ll be pushed back?

What do you think of the performance?

Last night Ashanti performed the US national anthem -‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ – at the NBA Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics, which was held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Say what you want about her, but there’s no denying that she nailed this one.

What do you think of the performance?

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