Music Blog

Justin Bieber’s Alleged Baby-Mama Drops Suit

Published November 21st, 2011 by Kristin H in Gossip, News, celebrity baby names

Is young J.B. the father of Mariah Yeater's baby boy?

Is Justin Bieber the baby-daddy of Mariah Yeater from San Diego? The single mother claimed Bieber is the father, and alleged that the baby was the result of a rendezvous with the pop-star backstage at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The three-month-old baby boy from the alleged encounter is named Tristyn.

Bieber has denied all of the allegations and has stated that he plans to take a DNA test. A spokesperson from the Bieber camp has spoken on his behalf. “We will vigorously pursue all available legal remedies to defend and protect Justin against these allegations.”

In a surprising turn of events, Mariah Yeater’s attorneys have quit and the young woman withdrew her paternity lawsuit against Bieber. She is entitled to re-file at any time. Yeater, who was 19 at the time of the supposed encounter, is under possible investigation for statutory rape as Bieber would have been just 16 at the time.

If she really is trying to frame J.B. for child-support payments, she wins the Queen of Stupid award for not doing the math and for the fact that she was apparently unaware of the existence of a DNA to prove paternity.

On the other hand, if her allegations are true, Bieber’s squeaky clean image is going to need some PR damage control.

Bieber has completely down-played the situation by saying that, if it were up to him, he would’ve appreciated a better rumor, such as “Justin Bieber went off to South America with a 27-year-old super model.”

Download music for a pop music playlist. Check out the obligatory

662, 568, 710 You Tube viewed, J.B. paternity test video “Baby,” below.

Rapper Heavy D Laid to Rest in New York.

Published November 18th, 2011 by Kristin H in News

Heavy D, May 24, 1967-November 8, 2011

The funeral for late great rapper Heavy D, a.k.a Dwight Errington Meyers was held today November 18, 2011 at Grace Baptist Church in Mount Vernon, N.Y. The eulogy was given by Sean Combs and Xea Myers, Heavy’s daughter. Services were lead by Rev. Al Sharpton during which he read a note from the Obamas expressing their sympathies “We extend our heartfelt condolences at this difficult time. He will be remembered for his infectious optimism and his many contributions to American music.” Heavy D’s nieces sang the gospel tune “His Eye Is On Sparrow.” A wake and viewing were held previously in the week.

The 44-year-old rapper, actor and producer passed away outside his home in Los Angeles on November 8th. The LA Times reports that a cause of death has not been officially announced.

The Jamaican born ”Now That We Found Love” singer is best known for his group Heavy D & The Boyz with which he recorded the albums Living Large and Big Tyme. Heavy was also the author of the theme song for the TV show Living Color. He was known to collaborate with Janet and Michael Jackson and B.B. King.

Heavy was the first artist signed to Uptown Records and eventually became president of the company. While with Uptown he helped develop the careers of Mary J. Blidge and Sean Combs. He later went on to become the senior vice-president of Universal Music.

Heavy D had recently returned from England where he was working on a new album titled Love Opus. Heavy D’s very last tweet read “Be Inspired.”

Cards can be sent to events@pollennation.com. Donations are being accepted for the Xea Myers Fund, established for Heavy D’s 11-year-old daughter.

Below see Heavy D at the 2011 BET awards in what was his first public performance in fifteen years and what turned out to be his last.

Download “Now That We Found Love.”

R.I.P. Heavy D May 24, 1967-November 8, 2011.

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New Book Offers Entertaining Look at the Inception of MTV

Published November 17th, 2011 by Kristin H in News

A new music history book takes us back to the MTV's music video roots.

I Want My MTV: The Uncensored Story of the MusicVideo Revolutionby co -authors Craig Marks and Rob Tannenbaum is a nostalgic rock history which chronicles how an obscure cable channel in New Jersey became the iconic MTV. Through interviews with over 400 rock stars the rise, metamorphosis and business practices of MTV are played out in an easy-to-follow yet hard-to-put-down read.

Before Snookie from the Jersey Shore MTV was all about the music video. “We want our MTV” the chanted ad slogan, brought music to the masses through a visual medium which had an undeniable influence on pop culture throughout the world.

The original format of the station was a series of music video shows hosted by video jockeys, a new form of disk jockey called VJ’s. Shows like YO-MTV Raps, 120 Minutes, Alternative Nation and Headbangers Ball helped pave the way for mainstream success of new genres of music such as New Wave, Grunge, Heavy Metal, and Rap.

Over the past few decades, MTV has given up the music and the video on its main channel and succumbed to the inevitable evolution of pop culture and the hunger for reality TV. The channel’s format now offers a plethora of reality TV and has aired series such as Jersey Shore, Teen Mom, The Real World, 16 and Pregnant, Road Rules, Jackass, The Osbournes, Punk’d, Pimp My Ride, MADE, Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica, and The Hills.

For a bit of music nostalgia pick up the MTV book for a fun winter read, and download music for an ’80s playlist. What is your favorite ’80s song?

Do you know your music history? What was the first music video ever played on MTV in August 1981? Check out the video and ’80s playlist below.

’80s playlist

“99 Luftballoons”- Nena

“Burning Down The House”- Talking Heads

“Faith”- George Michael

“Girls on Film” -Duran Duran

“I Melt With You”- Modern English

“Jane Says”- Jane’s Addiction

“Love Shack”- B-52’s

“Need You Tonight”- INXS

“Lucky Star” -Madonna

“Billie Jean”- Michael Jackson

“Obsession”- Animotion

“Pretty In Pink”-Psychedelic Furs

“Rapture”- Blondie

“Straight Outta Compton”- N.W.A.

“Tainted Love”- Soft Cell

“When Doves Cry”- Prince

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45th Country Music Awards, Tonight on ABC

Published November 9th, 2011 by Kristin H in Award Shows, News

Brad Paisley co-hosting with Carrie Underwood and is nominated for Entertainer of the Year.

Reigning Entertainer of the Year, Brad Paisley is co-hosting the CMA's with Carrie Underwood.

Country music’s biggest night, the Country Music Association Awards will be broadcast live on ABC this evening, November 9th 8/7c from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN. For the fourth consecutive year the show will be co-hosted by country superstars Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood. Vying for the top prize of the night,Entertainer of the Year, will be Taylor Swift, Blake Shelton, Keith Urban, Jason Aldean, and Brad Paisley. Swift, Aldean, Paisley, and Shelton are also nominated for the most bullet-shaped CMA awards, receiving five nods apiece.

If you are a die-hard country fan, or even just a guilty-pleasure listener, the lineup of country superstars on tonight’s show will leave you feeling like doin’ the two-step.

Highlights of the night will include a duet of “Footloose” by the song’s original singer Kenny Loggins and country crooner Blake Shelton. Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter are set to perform their hot new song, “You and Tequila.” Rascal Flatts and Natasha Bedingfield will be joining together for their break-up ballad “Easy,” and Paisley and Underwood will hang-up their hosting hats for their first live performance of “Remind Me.”

Adding a twist to the typical country lineup will be ’80s star Lionel Richie who is making a comeback with a new country duet album featuring the best and brightest of the country music crowd. Richie will be performing classic hits such as “Deep River Woman” with Little Big Town, “Dancing on the Ceiling” with Rascal Flatts and “Stuck on You” with Darius Rucker, formerly the frontman of Hootie and the Blowfish.

Many other country music stars are on the bill for tonight’s show, including Jason Aldean, The Band Perry, Faith Hill, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Scotty McCreery, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, and the Zac Brown Band, just to name a few.

Download music from CMA award nominees and performers for a country music playlist. Below is a list of suggested downloadable songs and the video for Paisley and Underwood’s “Remind Me.”

Jason Aldean: “I Break Everything I Touch,” “Johnny Cash,” “Do You Wish It Was Me”

Kenny Chesney: “Beer In Mexico,” “You Had Me From Hello,” “No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems”

Faith Hill: “Breathe,” “Mississippi Girl,” “Let Me Let Go”

Lady Antebellum: “All We’d Ever Need,” “Love Don’t Live Here,” “Love’s Lookin’ Good On You”

Miranda Lambert :”Love Letters,” “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” ”Gunpowder and Lead”

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Michael Jackson’s Doctor Found Guilty

Published November 8th, 2011 by Kristin H in News

Jury finds Conrad Murray guilty of involuntary manslaughter.

Michael Jackson’s personal physician Conrad Murray has been convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the pop-star’s 2009 death. After six weeks of testimony and nine hours of deliberation, the jury found Murray guilty of providing Jackson with a deadly dose of the sedative Propofol. The drug was administered intravenously to treat the singer’s insomnia, but is normally only used in surgery. Murray’s lawyers argued that Jackson himself administered the lethal dose and hinted at the possibility of suicide.

Murray was not released on bail and will receive his sentencing hearing on November 29^th where he faces up to four years in prison and the revocation of his medical license.

In a statement to TMZ, Jackson’s parents, who were in the courtroom to hear the verdict, stated “We have been waiting for this moment for a very long time and we couldn’t hold back tears of joy in the courtroom. Even though nothing can bring back our son, justice has finally been served.”

Download music from the King of Pop with songs such as “The Man In The Mirror,” “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough,” “I Can’t Help It,” “The Way You Make Me Feel,” “This Is It” and “Ease On Down The Road.”

Below, checkout Michael Jackson rehearsing the song “They Don’t Care About Us” for his This Is It tour, two days before his death.

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Lady Gaga to Launch ‘Born This Way Foundation’

Published November 5th, 2011 by Kristin H in News

'Born This Way Foundation' will focus on youth empowerment.

Mother Monster, Lady Gaga has announced plans to launch a charity foundation named after her second album and its title track, the Born This Way Foundation. The non-profit’s motto is “empowering youth, inspiring beauty.” BTWF will be run by the Grammy award winning singer and her mother, Cynthia Germanotta. The foundation will be in partnership with the John D. and Catherine T. Mac Arthur Foundation, the California Endowment and the Berkman Center for Internet and Society at Harvard University.

According to Ladygaga.com, the foundation will focus on programs which face the issues of “self-confidence, well-being, anti-bullying, mentoring and career development.” Gaga, who has close to 60 million followers between Facebook and Twitter, plans to use social media as a means of connecting to the youth, spreading her positive message and carrying out the mission of her foundation.

Lady Gaga was inspired to start BTWF by the suicide of a bullied fan. Jamey Rodemeyer, an openly gay 14-year-old from Buffalo, New York tweeted a suicide note directed to his idol “@ladygaga bye mother monster thank you for all you have done, paws up forever.”

The foundation which is scheduled to be launched in the 2012 has the following poem on its website, bornthiswayfoundation.org which beautifuly sums up its mission statement.

“This way, towards beauty

Where youth are empowered

This way, towards acceptance

Where humanity is embraced

This way, towards love

Where individuality is encouraged.”

Download music for a Lady Gaga playlist with songs such as “Telephone,” ”Pokerface,” “Paparazzi,” “Love Game” and “Just Dance.” Below, check out the video for “Born This Way.”

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Johnny Depp Joins the Stones & ZZ-Top Members on Stage

Published November 1st, 2011 by Kristin H in News, movies

Johnny Depp surprises concert goers with impromptu performances.

While stepping out for his Rum Diary movie premiere, Johnny Depp took the opportunity to showcase not only his acting, but his guitar playing talent as well. Although Depp is best known for his block-buster films such as Pirates of the Caribbean, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Chocolat, and Edward Scissorhands, his lesser known musical career is formidable.

After the NYC premiere of Rum Diary the multi-talented star attended an after-party at the Hiro Ballroom with the Rolling Stones‘ Keith Richards. The pair jumped on stage with the evening’s performers, the JD Band, and the duo played guitar for the song “Keys to the Highway.”

Getting a taste of the rock star life in New York was not enough because after the Austin, Texas premiere of Rum Diary, Depp again shocked concert goers at the Continental club with an impromptu 90-minute jam session with ZZ-Top guitarist Billy Gibbons. (Download music for a ZZ-top playlist with songs like “Sharp Dressed Man,” “Got Me Under Pressure,” “Viva Las Vegas,” and “Legs.”)

Sitting in with the who’s who in the music business is not new to Depp. The actor has played guitar on the Oasis album Be Here Now and has been known to sit-in with Alice Cooper, the Pogues, Iggy Pop, and Patty Smith. Of the many bands Depp has been a member of, the most notable is P, whose members included: Butthole Surfers singer, Gibby Haynes, Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist, Flea and Sex Pistols bassist Steve Jones.

Depp’s long-time girlfriend is the French singer and musician Vanessa Paradis. He frequently accompanies her on guitar during live performances and on her studio albums.

Even though we now know Johnny can jam, he is the highest paid actor for a reason and, for our selfish movie viewing pleasure, let’s hope his recent stage appearances aren’t an indication of him quitting his day job. Rum Diary, which is based on a Hunter S. Thompson novel, opened this weekend across the country.

Check out of this video of Depp playing the blues with Keith Richards in New York City. (Forward to 1:23, you’ll skip the intro from a star-struck fan, to a good five minutes of music.)

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Amy Winehouse’s Death Caused by Alcohol Poisoning

Published October 27th, 2011 by Kristin H in News

Winehouse's blood alcohol level was five times the British drunk-driving limit at the time of her death.

A British coroner has confirmed that 27-year-old singer Amy Winehouse ’s death was indeed caused by alcohol poisoning. The “Rehab” singer who had been battling drug and alcohol addiction for years was found dead at her London home by her live-in security guard on July 23rd. After an initial autopsy was deemed inconclusive, an inquest was opened and the results were read at a court hearing in London on Wednesday, in front of the Winehouse family. The coroner’s verdict concluded “Death by Misadventure” as Winehouse’s official cause of death.

The “Back to Black” singer’s blood- alcohol content was five-times the British drunk-driving limit when her body was discovered in her bed alongside three empty vodka bottles. No illegal drugs had been found in her system, although she did have traces of the prescription drug Librium, which had been prescribed by her doctor to help with alcohol withdrawal systems. Coroners said the Librium had not contributed to her death.

The six-time Grammy winner had been sober for the month of July after a short time in rehab, but then fell off the wagon and had resumed drinking.

Her family did not speak to the press after the hearing, but according to Spinner.com, family spokesman Chris Goodman commented “The court heard that Amy was battling hard to conquer her problems with alcohol and it is a source of great pain to us that she could not win in time.”

She will be missed dearly by her fans, who morn not only for the loss of Amy Winehouse, but for all the music that could have been.

Below is the video for ”Back to Black”, an eerie premonition of a life cut short.

Download music for an Amy Winehouse playlist with songs like “Amy, Amy, Amy,” “Rehab (Remix),” “Stronger Than Me,” “In My Bed,” and “You Sent Me Flying.” R.I.P.

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Super Spooky Halloween Playlist

Published October 26th, 2011 by Kristin H in News

With Halloween less than a week away, it’s time to Download Music to create the perfect ambiance for your Halloween party or to frighten the little trick-or-treaters at your door.

We’ve put together the Super Spooky Halloween playlist with classic hits like “Monster Mash,” “The Time Warp,” and “Thriller” along with music from some of the scariest sounding movie soundtracks including Friday the 13th, Poltergeist, Psycho and Halloween. Have a Happy Halloween!

The Super Spooky Halloween Playlist

1. Michael Jackson- “Thriller”

2. Charlie Daniels Band- “Devil Went to Georgia”

3. Bobby Boris Pickett- “Monster Mash”

4. Halloween Soundtrack- “Halloween Theme Song”

5. Sheb Wooley-”Purple People Eater”

6. Ray Parker Jr. - “Ghostbusters Theme Song”

7. Lalo Shifrin- “Jaws Theme Song”

8. M.C. Hammer- “Addams Family Theme Song”

9. AC/DC- “Hells Bells”

10. Friday the 13^th Soundtrack-”Theme Song from Friday the 13th”

11. Chic- “Le Freak”

12. Psycho Soundtrack- “Psycho Prelude/The Murder”

13. Rick James- “Super Freak”

14. Poltergeist Soundtrack - “Carol Anne’s Theme”

15. Animals-”I Put a Spell on You”

16. Exorcist Soundtrack - “Tubular Bells (Opening Theme)”

17. Cast of the Rocky Horror Picture Show- “The Time Warp”

18. Gabriel Dell-”Frankenstein’s Monster Talks”

19. Gremlins Soundtrack - “Gremlin Rag”

20. Meatloaf- “Bat Out of Hell

21. Dust Brothers- “Theme from the X-files”

22. Theme from Twilight Zone

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Justin Bieber Christmas Album Sales Donated to Charity

Published October 26th, 2011 by Kristin H in News

A percentage of procedes from "Under the Mistletoe" will go to charities such as the 'Make a Wish' foundation.

Justin Bieber’s Christmas album is setting industry records before it has even been released. The Canadian pop-star’s upcoming collaboration-packed holiday release titled Under the Mistletoe will be the first from Universal Music Group to have a portion of album sales donated to charity. The percentage of profits being donated has not yet been confirmed. “Universal never actually allowed money from an album to go to charity, so it’s kind of a unique thing and I’m very happy and proud of what we’ve done,” commented Bieber to Billboard magazine on his record company’s newfound holiday spirit.

Proceeds from the sale of the album will go to charities such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and community food banks. Bieber recently donated $10,000 to a food bank in his hometown, where his own family once received food.

The 15-track album, which contains both holiday classics and originals, is scheduled to be released the day after Halloween. The single for the classic holiday tune “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire),” featuring his mentor Usher, drops today and the video for the “almost” title track “Mistletoe” has already been released (check it out below).

Bieber drew inspiration from the successful Boyz ll Men and Mariah Carey holiday albums when he penned his own (he also credits the consumption of Christmas cookies), then called on the singers when it was time to record. Carey and Bieber perform a duet of Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You” and Boyz ll Men collaborate with the young pop-star on the song “Fa La La.”

Under the Mistletoe also has the holiday standards “Santa (Clause is) Coming to Town,” “Silent Night” and “Drummer Boy” -which features J.B busting-out some rap and Busta Rhymes too.

Bad-boy Chris Brown joined in on the albums effort’s to celebrate the holidays by co-writing and co-producing the original song “Christmas Eve.”

Get music for a Justin Bieber playlist with songs like “Baby,” “Eenie Meenie” and “One Time.”