Nude Photos of Twilight Star Turn Up Online

In a bid to stop the candid snaps, which feature one full frontal photograph, from spreading, the furious star's lawyer is warning websites against posting the pictures. A statement from her legal representative reads: "The photos in question, which appear to be of our client, are illegal and are being unlawfully displayed. Our client intends to take legal action." - more on this story

C-Murder Convicted of Murder

NME reports: C-Murder has been convicted of second-degree murder in the shooting of a teenager in 2002 near New Orleans.

The 38-year-old rapper, whose real name is Corey Miller, shot and killed 16-year-old Steve Thomas during a brawl at a nightclub.

The jury reached the 10-2 verdict at lunchtime this afternoon (August 11) after just one and half days of deliberations.
- more on this story

Global TV Tribute To Michael Jackson Planned

AP reports: Next month's tribute to Michael Jackson on the grounds of a 17th century palace in Vienna will feature a three-hour, star-studded show to be televised live to a global audience of 1 billion people, the event promoter said Tuesday.

Georg Kindel of World Awards Media GmbH said negotiations are ongoing with networks over rights to broadcast what's being billed as Jackson's main global tribute, and the pop legend's brother Jermaine is assembling the lineup of about 10 "of the biggest artists of our time."

"Jermaine thinks maybe 1 billion people will watch the television show," Kindel said in an interview with The Associated Press. "It will be a very special evening for the millions of fans around the globe." - more on this story

Simon Not Leaving Idol Anytime Soon

Hollywood Reporter reports: Simon Cowell will be a judge on "American Idol" for at least three more seasons. During the second-quarter earnings call of CKX, parent company of "Idol" co-producer 19 Entertainment, CKX chairman and CEO Robert Sillerman indicated that Cowell is finalizing a deal with Fox to continue on the top-rated reality show.

Cowell, heading into the final year of his current "Idol" contract, hinted in the spring that he might leave the show at the end of his deal. But early in the summer, he entered negotiations with Fox for a new pact.

"We've heard from Fox, who has asked us for approval for Simon Cowell to appear for three more years on 'Idol,'" Sillerman said. - more on this story

New Train Coming

Columbia Records reports: Columbia Records proudly announces the return of Grammy Award- winning band Train, with the release of their new album, Save Me, San Francisco on October 27, 2009. The album contains the new summer anthem, "Hey, Soul Sister", now available for purchase on iTunes. Save Me, San Francisco is the multi-platinum-selling band's fifth studio album.

Save Me, San Francisco hearkens back to the band's early days in the mid-'90s, when they first formed in the city by the bay. This album marks the restoration of Train's original line-up, including vocalist Pat Monahan, guitarist Jimmy Stafford and drummer Scott Underwood, since 2003's platinum offering, My Private Nation.

"I think taking time away from each other really made the heart grow fonder," frontman Pat Monahan says of the break. "We realized how important we were to one another and taking a few years off helped us all really look at ourselves and what we could contribute to this band." - more on this story

Krista's Taking Back Brooklyn

RCA reports: After finishing her first national tour this summer with Kelly Clarkson, up-and-coming musical artist Krista will make her recording debut September 15 with the release of Taking Back Brooklyn (RCA/VEL Records). The album's first single "Temporary Insanity" is gearing up for radio with a new video to match.

The 22-year-old singer, songwriter and musician recorded the album's 12 songs in Brooklyn with her producer and songwriting collaborator, Camus Celli, who has worked with such diverse artists as David Byrne and Gavin DeGraw.

With Taking Back Brooklyn, the fiery young artist takes listeners on a journey through her struggles and triumphs growing up in the culturally mixed, low-income neighborhood of Sunset Park. Effortlessly shifting from spitting boastful rhymes to unleashing cathartic melodies, Krista's emotionally raw lyrics are brought to life by a blend of hard-edged rock, street-wise rap and engaging pop. The dynamic, genre-defying sound reflects the diversity of Krista's musical influences, which range from escapist rock (Evanescence and Linkin Park) to early female MCs (Salt-n-Pepa, Queen Latifah) and sassy R&B (Mariah Carey and Alicia Keys). - more on this story

!llmind's Official Remix Album For Download

Audible Treats reports: While some lucky fans were able to snag a free copy at select Rock The Bells dates the past few weeks, MYX Music Label, 2dopeboyz, NahRight, OkayPlayer, and Audible Treats are please[d] to finally present !llmind's Official Remix Album.

No stranger to making head nodding production, !llmind's latest effort showcases how he can flip any song and still shine as if he was the original producer. The official remix album is mixed by DJ Icewater (of The Pharcyde) and boasts 18 exclusive remixes featuring an eclectic array of artists from Common, 50 Cent, Jay-Z, The Roots, and Masta Ace to John Legend, Slum Village, and many more. Also included are four exclusive tracks from !llmind's own group, Fortilive (!llmind, Slo-Mo, and Mushmouf).

Musically, !llmind's Official Remix Album works perfectly to display the producer's skills. Each song smoothly transitions into the next while showcasing !llmind's ability to span a wide variety of musical genres. Common's "I Want You Remix" navigates from a scratch heavy intro to a melodic chorus with congas and guitar licks rounding out the beat, while the stabbing bassline and in-the-pocket drum programming of John Legend's "Ordinary People Remix" undoubtedly brings up J-Dilla nostalgia. While the The Official Remix Album features a number of mainstream aritsts, !llmind makes sure not to stray too far from hip-hop's roots, including the "Conflict Remix," featuring rhyme veterans Masta Ace and Guru of seminal rap group Gangstarr. The album ends with a bang - four bangs to be exact - as !llmind premiers a series of exclusive Fortilive tracks in anticipation of their forthcoming 2010-scheduled debut album. - Download the album here

Cash Money Records Toot Their Own Horns

Hype reports: Cash Money Records, the incredibly successful independent label started by Ronald "Slim" Williams and Bryan "Baby" Williams in the early '90s from the New Orleans projects, has yet another smash hit on its hands with U.K. Indian Pop star Jay Sean's "Down," a collaboration with Lil Wayne, which this week soared #63-6 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Drake, the red-hot rap phenom from Canada signed to Lil Wayne's Young Money imprint, gives the Williams brothers two in the Top 6, as his red-hot single, "Best I Ever Had," remains at #2. In all, Cash Money boasts four singles in the Top 25, including Birdman and Young Money.

In addition to its well-documented success with Lil Wayne and its first rock signing, Kevin Rudolf, Cash Money is now breaking such international talent as Jay Sean, a British-born Indian, who began performing at age 11 and spawned a series of hits in the U.K. like "Eyes on You" and "Stolen." He is already a multi-platinum pop star in India, thanks to an appearance in the hit 2005 Bollywood film, Kya Kook Hain Hum, as well as in Poland, Portugal, Romania and Bulgaria. - more if you can stomach it

Priscilla Renea Debut Set

EMI reports: Priscilla Renea has come a long way—from her Vero Beach, Florida bedroom, where she'd upload singing clips to YouTube, to the storied roster at Capitol Records. Fresh off a stirring performance at this past weekend's Lollapalooza festival in Chicago, Renea is readying her debut album, Jukebox (Oct 20th).

First single "Dollhouse" is an uptempo empowerment anthem that shows off Renea's airy vocals and earnest, endearing lyrics. Over a bouncy 4/4 beat from Benny Blanco (Britney Spears, 3OH!3) and Lil' Ronnie (Britney Spears, Mary J. Blige, R. Kelly), Renea sings fiercely for relationship independence and chides an insensitive, indifferent partner with the line "I ain't a doll, this ain't a dollhouse!". "Dollhouse" bears Renea's immediacy and relevance, the two hallmarks that distinguish her from scores of aspiring singers and elevated her to an internet sensation.

Full-length debut Juxebox is aptly named, for it reflects 20 year old Renea's wide-ranging musical sensibilities and influences, and also the scope of her talents. "Lovesick" is bouncy, piano-powered pop; "Pretty Girl" is introspective, insightful ballad. - more on this story

Capitol Hoping Eli 'Paperboy' Reed Will Deliver For Them

EMI reports: Capitol Records has signed rising soul singer and songwriter Eli "Paperboy" Reed. Reed, who Rolling Stone named a "Breaking Artist," praising his "howling grooves and dirty down home R&B," will be heading into the studio this month with acclaimed producer Mike Elizondo (Dr. Dre, Eminem, Fiona Apple, Regina Spektor). Capitol Records aims to release the album in Spring 2010.

On August 28 & 29, Reed along with Dig Deeper will present The Brooklyn Soul Festival at the Bell House. The festival, which was co-curated by Reed and Dig Deeper, will feature two nights of performances by legendary soul singers from around the country, including Barbara Lynn, Roscoe Robinson, Hermon Hitson, Otis Clay and Maxine Brown.

These unsung singers—rarely seen individually and never before together on the same bill—will be backed by two of the most in-demand bands in soul music today: Eli "Paperboy" Reed and the True Loves and The Sweet Divines. The opening night Reed will also be featuring songs from his forthcoming Capitol Records debut in between sets. - more on this story

The Knitting Factory Go To Brooklyn

The Knitting Factory reports: The Knitting Factory, a leader in the New York arts scene for over two decades, is proud to announce that our new venue at 361 Metropolitan Avenue in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY will be opening September 2009.

Brooklyn-based favorites, Les Savy Fav, will perform and host the opening night on Wednesday September 9th. Upcoming shows will feature performances by: Boss Hog, Rasputina, Mayer Hawthorne, Titus Andronicus, The Raincoats, The Spits, Mucca Pazza, Melissa Auf der Maur, cEvin Key, A Wilhelm Scream, Helado Negro, Maps and Atlases, No Neck Blues Band, Dub Trio, Smokey's Secret Family and much more to be announced.

Upcoming special events include this year's Williamsburg Fashion Week's Fashion and Arts Premiere, the Miss LEZ Pageant and the Royal Flush Film Festival.
- more on this story

Calvin Harris Is Ready For The Weekend

Magnum PR reports: Calvin Harris has confirmed the [overused cliche removed] successor to gold selling debut album 'I Created Disco'. Having successfully returned with two #1 singles 'Dance Wiv Me' (with Dizzee Rascal) and 'I'm Not Alone', Calvin will release new album 'Ready For The Weekend' through Ultra Records on October 6th.

"What I'm into at the moment", says Calvin Harris, "is the idea of stadium dance. Playing football stadiums with massive riffs, big hands-in-the-air moments." A bold ambition, but such boldness is justified, coming from a man who ascended from the bedroom to the big time.

Calvin has come a long way since his trademark sound took over the charts in 2007. Now a sought after producer, international DJ and bonafide star, Calvin has picked up awards, collaborated with everyone from Kylie Minogue to Example, clocked up record sales well in excess of a million copies and sold out tours across the UK. Now he brings us the soundtrack for the end of summer 2009. - more on this story

ApSci Go Digital

World's Fair reports: Quannum duo ApSci's second full-length, Best Crisis Ever, is available today, August 11, on iTunes and other DSPs (it'll be released physically later this fall).

Recorded in both New York City and Australia – and spots in between; "'Til the Windows Rattle Off," for example, was recorded and programmed in Malaysia, during some downtime at a festival at which the duo was performing – Best Crisis Ever is an intricately designed, lovingly crafted album, full of unexpected electronic bleeps and blurts nestled alongside Ra's wordplay, Dana's warm voice, which is in itself a versatile instrument that adds an alluring depth and charm to Ra's complex, detailed production.

Rising New York sensation Cubic Zirconia liked the album so much they not only asked ApSci to play with them at their August 26 show at Mercury Lounge, they also did their own remix of it the song "Under Control." - more on this story

The Asteroids Galaxy Tour Coming Bearing Fruit

Girlie reports: Copenhagen's retro soul popsters The Asteroids Galaxy Tour are leading the new wave of Scandanavian pop. The [overused cliche removed] release of debut album, FRUIT, will arrive October 13 on Small Giants.

Fruit is a musical rollercoaster of happy soul and kaleidoscopic pop triumphs, which includes "Around The Bend" of Apple iPod Touch commercial fame, the more melancholic, teetering-on-trippy track "Satellite," and "Lady Jesus" a deliciously-groovy song with an insatiable sing-a-long chorus that will get stuck in your head for days.

The core members of the band are Lars Iversen and Mette Lindberg. Together they have fermented their love of soul and kaleidoscopic pop, spectacularly brought to life through Mette's utterly unique and very cool vocals. - more on this story

Wait there is more!

[an error occurred while processing this directive]

tell a friend about this article

know of a news item we should cover?

antiMUSIC News featured on RockNews.info .