On Feb. 26, PBS will broadcast its series, “Performance at the White House,” a concert where President Barack Obama will present Stevie Wonder with the Library of Congress award, reports the Associated Press. Wonder’s songs such as “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours” and “Higher Ground” were used throughout Obama’s presidential campaign.
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Ever wonder who was behind First Lady Michelle Obama’s wardrobe for the inauguration? Ikram Goldman, owner of a Gold Coast boutique in Chicago, managed the clothing provided by designers. Obama’s measurements were provided by Goldman and all finished designs were sent to either Chicago or Washington.
“Mrs. Obama has shopped at Ikram’s store for years and appreciates her shared interest in working with a broad spectrum of designers, including many young and up-and-coming designers,” said Katie McCormick Lelyveld, Obama’s press secretary, to the New York Times.
Obama also spoke with Goldman about what she would wear on the cover of the March edition of Vogue magazine.
Premiering Feb. 17, Snoop Dogg will host the weekly “Dogg After Dark”, which will feature celebrity interviews, sketch comedy and musical performances, reports Variety. MTV will be involved in the distribution and promotion of his upcoming album, “Malice in Wonderland.” The rapper’s music will also be featured in MTV’s “Rock Band” video game.
“I can’t even begin to imagine MTV, my tumultuous career and several raging ulcers without the Dogg being such a big part of our history,” said Van Toffler, MTV Networks Music/Films/Logo Groups president.
Nas is recording an album with reggae star Damien Marley, which will be released in the spring, reports Billboard.
“We’ve been recording in a studio, where people like Mick Jagger are recording. No one knew who we were,” said Anthony Saleh, Nas’ manager of the duo’s collaborations in Los Angeles. “We’re going to Miami this week to finish it up and we’re aiming to tour for the album this summer.”
A portion of the album’s proceeds will go toward building a school in Africa.
Mariah’s hubby, Nick Cannon, 28, will replace Jerry Springer as the new host of the NBC variety series, “America’s Got Talent.”
D’Angelo’s new album is set to be released this summer, but it is unclear whether Prince will be a collaborator as earlier reported by Suite 411.
“We have spoken to Prince, Mark Ronson and John Mayer’s camps,” manager Lindsay Guion tells Billboard.com. “But nothing has been confirmed at this time.”
Gnarls Barkley’s Cee-Lo Green, Raphael Saadiq, Q-Tip and Roy Hargrove will work with the R&B singer on his album since 2000.
Vivica Fox will host a new TV Land series, “The Cougar,” Reuters reports. Premiering April 15, the dating reality show features an older woman searching for love among a group of younger men.
“I’m so excited to be the guide for ‘The Cougar’s’ quest for love,” said Fox, who has a recurring role on HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” “This show will prove to be empowering and enlightening for women everywhere. Plus, 20 hot guys gathered under one roof doesn’t hurt.”
Natalie Cole,58, is hoping that her 31-year-old son will be a match for the kidney transplant she needs, reports People magazine. She currently undergoes dialysis three times a week. Cole said she is now virus negative after being diagnosed with hepatitis C a year ago.
Erykah Badu announced through the Twitter website the birth of her third child Monday, Feb. 2. Her and boyfriend rapper Jay Electronica sent constant messages throughout the delivery, MTV reports. Badu had a home birth with a midwife in her Brooklyn, NY home.
Badu’s daughter Puma, 7, with rapper D.O.C., and Seven, 10, her son with Andre 3000, were also present at the birth. After the birth, Badu sent another message to her fans.
“I can’t believe it’s over,” she wrote. “Home birth, no painkillers, about five hours, she was a little past due date, but I didn’t mind waiting. Breath.”