MTV's VMAs sees Jay Z, Outkast as it's big winners
Last night, here in Miami was lit to the hilt with superstars as MTV's Video Music Awards took over the American Airlines Arena downtown. The show had a couple of firsts, for the first time in it's history it had no host and was held outside of California and New York.
The big winners on the night was Jay Z and Outkast who both won 4 moon men. OutKast's 'Hey Ya!' took home the coverted Video of the Year award as well as Best Hip-Hop video, Best Special Effects in a Video and Best Art Direction in a Video while Jay Z's '99 Problems' (which took top honors this year with six nominations,) took home awards for Best Rap Video, Best Direction in a Video, Best Editing in a Video and Best Cinematography in a Video.First time winner Usher picked up two awards for Best Male Video, Best Dance Video while pop rockers No Doubt claimed two of their own for Best Pop and Best Group video
The awards this year seemed a bit subdued and lacked the luster of previous shows maybe what happened at this years Super Bowl has something to do with it. There was messages of the political agenda with the presidentail candidates daughters (Jenna and Barbara Bush via satelite) and Alexander and Vanessa Kerry making an appearance with a message to the young to vote.
There were surprises too, some surprising but none really shocking. The most welcome surprise was Stevie Wonder, who alongside Alicia Keys and Lenny Kravitz belted out a powerful version of Stevie's 'Higher Ground'. Keys who won the award for Best R&B video for her hit 'If I Ain't Got You' also performed the song as well and later gave a tribute speech about the late Ray Charles.Kanye West's who although was nominated four times came out empty handed, had a much-hyped "surprise" guest of his own who turned out to be Chaka Khan. The diva sang the hook to her classic track 'Through the Fire' for Kanye's performance of 'Through the Wire' and seemed to be struggling through the song missing on key notes several times. For a full list of the winners click here
- - Source: billboard.com
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'Gloria' singer Laura Branigan dies in her sleep
The year loses yet another popular singer only this time it's in the pop arena. Former pop princess Laura Branigan, the Grammy-nominated pop singer best known for her 1982 platinum hit 'Gloria', is dead at the age of 47.
Branigan died of a brain aneurysm last Thursday in her sleep at her home in East Quogue, N.Y. her brother Mark Branigan said in a statement. He went on to mention that she had complained to a friend of a headache for about two weeks ago, but had not sought medical attention.Her song 'Gloria' was huge back in the early 80s claiming the No.1 spot on Billboards Top 100 chart and not to mention her debut album 'Branigan' staying atop the pop charts for 36 weeks.
Branigan released seven albums after her debut 'Branigan' including 'Solitaire', 'Self Control' and 'How Am I Supposed To Live Without You' which was co-written with Michael Bolton. Her songs also appeared on soundtracks for the films 'Flashdance' and 'Ghostbusters'.
Branigan was born July 3, 1957, and grew up in Brewster, N.Y. She attended the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Manhattan. During the late 1970s, she toured Europe as a backing vocalist for Canadian singer and songwriter Leonard Cohen. She signed as a solo artist with Atlantic Records in 1982.
After her run of success in the 1980s, her releases in the early 1990s attracted little attention. In 1994, she sang a duet with David Hasselhoff called "I Believe" for the soundtrack of the television show "Baywatch." She released a 13-track "Best of Branigan" LP the next year.
After the death of her husband, Lawrence Kruteck, in 1996, Branigan stopped performing but returned to the stage in 2001. In 2002 she starred as Janis Joplin in the off-Broadway musical "Love, Janis," which earned her rave reviews. Branigan recently had been working on material for a new release.
- Source: billboard.com
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A man drowns at Usher's pre VMA party
A pre-Video Music Awards yacht party thrown by R&Bs reigning prince Usher turned horribly tragic Friday when a crew member from the vessle drowned while diving in Miami. The man's body wasn't discovered until the afternoon of the following day.
The lavish bash at sea drew several celebrities in town for Sundays MTVs VMAs including the likes of sisters Ashley and Jessica Simpson, Jessica's husband Nick Lachey, Christina Aguilera, Kanye West and MTV bad boy Johnny Knoxville.
When approached by reporters regarding the drowning, Usher said that he knew nothing about the incident, and said that he's not responsible.
Usher won his first VMA moon men on Sunday night winning for Best Male and Best Dance video. The singer when receiving the first award said 'It's my first time up here, let me enjoy this'.
- Source: thebeatla.com
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17 year old British singing sensation Joss Stone and british royality rocker Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones are tapped to do a remake of the song Alfie for the movie soundtrack of the same name.
The song was penned by Burt Bacharach back in 1966 and was sung by Dionne Warwick that same year in the original movie starring Michael Caine. Mick will sing backup on the song that's set to be the lead off single from the soundtrack.
"When I go to England, I'm going to put a day aside and go and do it," Stone told Rolling Stone magazine. "Mick Jagger is singing backup and Dave Stewart [of The Eurythmics] is producing. It's going to be cool."
The Alfie remake stars Jude Law. 'Alfie' hits theaters on October 22nd. Stone’s new album, 'Mind, Body and Soul', is due September 28th. The set features Angie Stone on piano, the Roots' ?uestlove on drums and Nile Rodgers on guitar.
- Source: eurweb.com