Category: Music

Forbes name Kanye, Jay-Z and Diddy as Hip Hop Cash Kings

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Even though the country is in a recession, hip hop moguls continue to thrive.  Forbes announced Thursday the top 20 most successful hip hop artists within the last year.  Jay-Z toppled last year’s top earner 50 cent to claim the no.1 spot this year.  It is estimated that he earned $35 million from touring.  P.Diddy came in second with an estimated $30 million from his Sean John clothing line, Ciroc vodka partnership and MTV reality shows.  Kanye is no.3 with $25 million due to sales from his last album, touring and sneaker deals with Nike and Louis Vuitton.

Drake signs to Lil Wayne’s record label

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Riding high with the success of his current single, “Best I Ever Had,” Canadian rapper Drake has signed to Lil Wayne’s record label, Young Money Entertainment.  His debut album, “Thank Me Later,” is scheduled to be released later this year and features Lil Wayne, Jay-Z and Kanye West, reports Billboard.  Drake will also tour this summer with Lil Wayne as part of the “Young Money Presents: Americas Most Wanted Music Festival.”

Chris Brown makes plea deal

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Chris Brown pleaded guilty Monday to a felony charge of assault against Rihanna.  He is expected to receive five years of probation and six months of community service when he is formally sentenced Aug. 5.  The judge also ordered that the pair stay 50 yards away from each other.  When they are both at the same event, they must stay at least 10 yards away.

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Mariah is ‘Obsessed’

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Today, Mariah Carey released her debut single,”Obsessed.”  Mimi will drop her new album,”Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel,” Aug. 25.

“Seriously, this is one of my favorite songs ever,” she wrote June 9 on Twitter about the new single. “I love the whole album.  I’m completely immersed in it.  I can’t wait for you to hear it.”

Beyonce to perform at BET awards

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Beyonce has joined the lineup of performers for the BET awards, which includes:  Kanye West, Maxwell, Young Jeezy, Ne-Yo and Soulja Boy.  The singer leads the pack with five nominations, including favorite R&B female and video of the year.

The BET awards will broadcast live from Los Angeles June 28.  Jamie Foxx will host the event.

Vanessa Williams gives back to charity

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Beginning June 30, actress and singer Vanessa Williams will share some of her tips for success with a charitable education campaign that will benefit Dress for Success, an organization that provides professional attire and career tips to disadvantaged women trying to succeed in the corporate world.

Usher files for divorce

It is official!  With rumors circulating that Usher was divorcing his wife of nearly two years Tameka Foster Raymond, the R&B singer filed the petition in an Atlanta court Friday.  Usher, 30, and Tameka, 38, have been living apart for several months now, reports People.   The couple has two sons, Usher Raymond V, 18 months, and Naviyd, 6 months.

Whitney Houston new album due in September

The diva with the golden pipes is set to drop her new release Sept. 1.  Sean Garett, w ill.i.am, and Akon are some of the producers and songwriters that helped on Whitney Houston’s seventh studio album.

“The voice is there; I don’t think anyone could ever take that from her. As long as we apply that voice to hit records, she’ll be right back where she left off,” Akon told Billboard.com back in 2007.