Lady Gaga, Eminem, Jay-Z, Justin Timberlake and Barbra Streisand are just a handful of the 100-plus stars scheduled to take part in a re-recording of “We Are the World” to benefit Haiti, producer RedOne told Rolling Stone yesterday at the Grammys. Other artists contributing to the new “We Are the World” — a remake of the 1985 USA for Africa charity single that was co-written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie — include Celine Dion, Fergie, Wyclef, Enrique Iglesias and more musicians who attended yesterday’s 52nd Annual Grammy Awards.
Damon Dash used to have damn near as much money as Jay-Z, and now he can’t even afford the note on his Chevy Tahoe. In fact, why does he even have a Chevy Tahoe? Isn’t there some sort of luxury version of a Tahoe, targeted towards black people? Is that what the Yukon is? I know he’s got that art studio down in Tribeca, where he puts on indie rock shows and kicks it with some especially tall and skinny white woman, which is what I’d do with my house, if I had the means, but I read in an article where he’s got some sort of arrangement where he doesn’t have to pay rent. In exchange, the guy who owns the building probably now owns Mos Def’s publishing or some shit. Expect that all to come tumbling down by the end of the year. And Damon Dash is hardly the only black celebrity who couldn’t hold on to his money. Quick, name one black person with that kind of money who didn’t somehow manage to fuck it all up. See, you can’t do it. Jay-Z is damn near the only one. And I don’t think it’s because he’s just that smart. This is the same guy who shot his brother for smoking his ring and stabbed Un Rivera for bootlegging Vol. 3. Who knows what else he’s done. Someone must be protecting him.
...the Manhattan girl whose brave battle against leukemia captivated the city and inspired thousands to become bone marrow donors, has died. She was just six years old.
Jasmina's year-long fight against an especially fatal form of the disease ended at 10:55 p.m. Wednesday night at NYU Langone Medical Center, her mother, Thea Anema, said.
Suffering from a fever and shortness of breath, Jasmina was admitted to the hospital Monday morning.
She was diagnosed with pneumonia in both of her lungs, and her condition deteriorated rapidly.
Before noon on Wednesday, doctors moved Jasmina into the ICU because her breathing had become so labored.
She only got worse.
"Jasmina's antibiotics are not working so her lungs are filling up with fluids," a friend wrote on Jasmina's blog in a message posted at 6:43 p.m. "Her situation right now is critical. The doctors are trying to get the situation under control but Thea will have to make a difficult decision if this does not work."
Jasmina passed away just a few hours later.
LimeLife: Kelly, the first thing anyone who has ever encountered you says is, ‘Kelly Rowland is so nice.' You were part of one of the most famous girl groups of our time, and now you've got this amazing solo career happening. Can you talk about what being a kind person has done for your career?
Kelly Rowland: Wow...that's such an honor. I think being a kind person - you think about longevity and you think about treating people...like people. I think that takes you further than any award, any record sales, any tour, anywhere. What if it's somebody's first time meeting you?
LimeLife: Who's a star you've met who inspired that philosophy?
Kelly Rowland: I think about the first time I met Whitney Houston, she was over the moon about meeting me and Beyonce and Michelle [Knowles and Williams were Rowland's partners in Destiny's Child until the group split up in 2006], and I was like, ‘Oh my god, I want to be kind like her.' And when you meet her to this day, she's still the same kind person. Even sending letters, I remember something that Destiny's Child did for her niece and she sent us all personal letters. It's little things like that, that mean so much. I just think that kindness goes further than anything.
LimeLife: Would you say you were raised to be nice?
Kelly Rowland: I had great people around me [when I was] growing up as well. I remember my mom and B's mom [she's referring to Beyonce's mother Tina Knowles] would always be on us about that: ‘What if it's somebody's first time meeting you and you having [an attitude] because you woke up on the wrong side of the bed?!' (laughs) It's always important to treat people with kindness and I'm honored that you say that [about me], because I don't want to be any other way.
LimeLife: And now you're taking kindness a step further to actually help people - tell us about the charity you're launching to mentor young girls this year.
Kelly Rowland: (smiles and claps her hands excitedly) I Heart My Girlfriends! I'm so excited about it. I feel like everybody has a purpose, and my purpose is I Heart My Girlfriends. My career is one thing, but my purpose on this earth is completely another, faith-wise, for me. When I thought of I Heart My Girlfriends, I remember thinking, ‘I want women when they meet each other, not to look each other up and down first.' When they meet each other, it's about 'Hey, I'm looking you in your eye; I'm confident, you're confident too. And if you're not confident, or if you don't feel as strong, I want to be there to carry you, and I'm learning something from you as well.'
LimeLife: So what do you hope girls will get out of I Heart My Girlfriends?
Kelly Rowland: It's not just about reaching out [to help], because we can all learn so much from each other. Instead of just sizing each other up and saying, ‘I'm better than you' and being competitive - there's no purpose in that. I want I Heart My Girlfriends to go from generation to generation to generation. I see it as being this huge conference, like once a year, where women like you, and myself, and Serena Williams and Beyonce, and so many different women who have done different things to further themselves along in their careers and their personal lives. I know an extraordinary woman in New York who's a single mother and works hard and has four kids, you know what I mean? These are women who are empowered and can teach the younger kids, like inner city girls so much, and suburban girls. [It's for whoever] just wants a sister and someone they can confide in, just in case they don't have that. My conference would have small seminars in it [covering topics like] health, taking care of your body, and makeup and job interviewing skills. Those are the simple things that girls should know. They [might not] know about the four or five [clothing items] you should have in your closet, or simple makeup things. These are things that could help them...[even] psychology, just everything at once to nurture these girls from the inside out.
LimeLife: We love it, because no matter how old or young you are, we girls don't always know what we're doing - often especially with guys! It sounds like such a great idea to have a network of sisters to share with and confide in and seek advice from.
Kelly Rowland: Definitely. I'm so excited about it. I've talked to all my girlfriends and they want to be a part of it, and women I admire in the industry...different women - people who are empowering each other to just be better. I want it to be a big thing.
We want it to be a big thing too. Stay with LimeLife for updates on Kelly Rowland's I Heart My Girlfriends charity later this year...meanwhile, did you read our PokerStars Caribbean Adventure interviews with Nelly and Kenneth Cole? They helped us remember that guys can be gorgeous inside and outside too!
Big Brother favourite Vinnie Jones is celebrating after two of his rivals were booted out of the celebrity house.
Americans Stephen Baldwin and Sisqo left in a double eviction on Friday night, leading Jones to declare that the two who went against his leadership had "both bitten the dust".
The 45-year-old actor and former footballer added his time in the house was the "longest I've gone without spending any money" and, when asked if his wife would be in Harrods every day making up for it, said simply: "It's not her in a million years."
His comments came after celebrity evictee Sisqo accused Jones of having his favourites in the house and described him as "bossy".
The 31-year-old US rapper, who became famous with the Thong Song, said: "It seemed like Vinnie was the ... unofficial leader of the house and it kind of seemed like double standards when it came to rules. He had his own set of rules for whoever his favourite was."
Hope For Haiti Now, the multi-channel, global, live telethon last night organized by George Clooney to benefit Haiti was an appropriately somber affair, with the focus firmly on Haitians who need our help. The biggest surprise, and arguably the best performance of the night was by Justin Timberlake, who, along with singer/songwriter Matt Morris sang a haunting interpretation of the much-covered Leonard Cohen ballad "Hallelujah."
Twenty-five years after "We Are the World" became a global hit, a remake of the charity song will benefit Haiti.
Quincy Jones and Lionel Richie, who were both involved in the original, are planning a huge re-recording of the single to celebrate the milestone anniversary, according to the Hollywood Reporter blog, Showbiz 411.
The legendary musicians are pushing artists who will be in Los Angeles for Grammy weekend to stay in the city till Monday, Feb. 1 for a massive sing-along at the Nokia Theater.
The invite list so far includes Usher, Natalie Cole, and John Legend, according to Showbiz 411. But the blog predicts other acts – like Wyclef Jean, Sting, Fergie, Alicia Keys, and Justin Timberlake - will quickly hop on board as Grammy nominees, presenters and guests get word.
The anniversary was originally set to be marked on Jan. 28, but that changed when an earthquake devastated Haiti on Jan. 12. Now, proceeds from the single and video will go to Haiti relief.
"We Are the World," written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, and produced by Quincy Jones and Michael Omartian, was released in 1985 to benefit African famine relief.
Rapper P. Diddy is hosting a 'Prince of New York'-themed 16th birthday party this weekend for his son Justin - his child with his high school sweetheart, designer Misa Hylton-Brim.
P. Diddy is hosting a 'Prince of New York'-themed 16th birthday party for his son.
The rap superstar's son Justin - his child with his high school sweetheart, designer Misa Hylton-Brim - reached the landmark age in December and now Diddy is organising him a special star-studded bash which will be filmed for MTV show 'My Super Sweet 16'. The party will take place at a New York nightclub on Saturday night (23.01.10) and Chris Brown will be performing.
A source told the New York Post newspaper: "The club will be decorated with images from the New York skyline. Diddy will perform with his band, Diddy-Dirty Money, but there will also be some big name performers taking the stage to surprise Justin."
The A-List guest list - which includes Snoop Dogg, outspoken boxing champion Floyd Mayweather and Lil' Kim - have been told not to bring a gift but make a donation to the Haiti fund to help earthquake victims.
The last 10 years of my life have been a turbulent roller coaster ride of ups and downs. But through it all, I've managed to stand strong, and not let myself drown in this cesspool of despair that we call: "THE BELLY OF THE BEAST". My body is fettered, but my mind, heart and soul run free. I've come to grips with myself, and have made a conscience decision to deal with the hand that I was dealt, because I have no one to blame but myself. I will not impugn or malevolently criticize the powers that be for my demise, nor will I deem my incarceration as some sort of "Badge of Honor," in light of keeping it real. However, what I will do is make an O.G. call out there to the young brothers lifestyle, and tell you all "to put the guns and drugs down, educate yourselves, and get on a righteous path." Because whether you know it or not, this may be the beginning to your end.
Famed R&B singer and actress Jill Scott (The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency) is set to headline the Lifetime Movie Network Original Movie Sins of the Mother, a touching story about the harsh realities of love, forgiveness and the closest of bonds between mother and daughter. Based on author Carleen Brice's moving novel, Orange Mint and Honey, the film features Scott as reformed alcoholic Nona, Nicole Beharie (American Violet) as her daughter Shay and Mimi Rogers (The Door in the Floor) as Nona's sponsor Lois. Sins of the Mother will premiere Sunday, February 21, 2010, at 8pm ET/5pm PT, on Lifetime Movie Network, Lifetime's sister network and the second highest rated women's channel.
A powerful new earthquake struck Haiti on Wednesday, shaking rubble from damaged buildings and sending screaming people running into the streets only eight days after the country's capital was devastated by an apocalyptic quake.
The magnitude-6.1 temblor was the largest aftershock yet to the Jan. 12 quake. The extent of additional damage or injuries was not immediately clear.
Wails of terror rose from frightened survivors as the earth shuddered at 6:03 a.m. U.S. soldiers and tent city refugees alike raced for open ground, and clouds of dust rose in the capital.
The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake was centered about 35 miles (56 kilometers) northwest of Port-au-Prince and was 13.7 miles (22 kilometers) below the surface.
Last week's magnitude-7 quake killed an estimated 200,000 people in Haiti, left 250,000 injured and made 1.5 million homeless, according to the European Union Commission.
Rising rapper WAKA FLOCKA FLAME is recovering in hospital after he was shot during an apparent robbery on Tuesday (19Jan10).
The hip-hop newcomer - who has recorded with Lil Wayne, Gucci Mane and Rick Ross - was at the Bubble Bath Carwash in Atlanta, Georgia, when he was approached by an armed man who demanded he hand over his jewellery.
Flame, real name Juaquin Malphurs, is said to have been shot in the arm during the incident. Fulton County police spokesman Sergeant Scott MCBride explains, "A scuffle broke out, then shots were fired."
Malphurs was rushed to receive emergency medical treatment, while the suspect is believed to have fled the scene.
DJ Greg Street, who spoke with Malphurs on Tuesday evening, says, "He's doing well. He's going to pull through."
J. Howard Miller was an American graphic artist. He painted posters during World War II in support of the war effort, among them the famous We Can Do It! poster, frequently misidentified as Rosie the Riveter.
