Rihanna Cancels Upcoming Shows

Recently Rihanna cancelled over half a dozen shows for her North American tour, “Last Girl on Earth,” including the Seattle, Dallas, Auburn, and Phoenix concerts with her people citing production changes and scheduling conflicts. Thursday they announced even more cancellations.

“Due to a change in Rihanna’s schedule, she can no longer appear in Englewood, CO (July 15), Atlanta, GA (July 28) and Noblesville, IN (August 3). Fans who purchased tickets will receive a refund. Rihanna apologizes to her fans and hopes to make it up to them on the next tour.”

Could it be she’s spending more time in the studio with the record label trying to rush her upcoming album for the years end? Or is it low ticket sales? She’s not saying, although Thursday she was spotted at Barney’s in Beverly Hills on a shoe shopping spree, the day before heading off to the LAX airport on Friday to make her Sacramento performance.

Lenny Kravitz Crashes Choir Practice

Last week in New Orleans, the Voice of Faith Choir was practicing their music on the street, singing “Fly Away.“ Who would have guessed that Lenny Kravitz himself, having a drink nearby, overheard and walked over to join in? Kravitz sang along then joined in with the drums when the kid drumming quickly gave up his seat.

Chris Brown’s Tribute To Michael Jackson At 2010 BET Awards

Photo: Gene Young/Splash News

Is Chris Brown starting with the man in the mirror? He gave a weeping emotional performance at yesterday’s BET Awards Michael Jackson Tribute. When it was time for his performance of “Man in the Mirror,” he completely broke composure, tears running down his face as he struggled through the song until falling to his knees, unable to go on. The audience showed their love by loudly picking up the song, singing along. This after his dance to “Remember the Time,” “Smooth Criminal” and “Billie Jean.”

Maybe Chris Brown is starting with the man in the mirror. Since his sentencing last August for assaulting Rihanna Brown has amassed over 290 hours of community labor service and attended domestic violence classes. He still has hundreds of hours to go, however.

Remembering Lena Horne

Lena Horne, passed away over the weekend at the age of 92. A singer, actress, dancer and political activist, she was the first black performer to tour with an all-white band.

“Wow! Lena Horne! What an incredible woman & story of triumph! May we all know that life is a journey of possibility…” tweeted Alicia Keys.

President Obama hailed her efforts to promote justice and equality, also stating “She warmed the hearts of countless Americans with her beautiful voice and dramatic performances on-screen.”

At one point of Horne’s life due to her left-leaning political views and the Red Scare, she found herself blacklisted and unable to get work in Hollywood, yet returned to her roots as a nightclub performer, later taking part in the March on Washington in 1963, performing on television, refusing to perform for segregated audiences during World War II, all while releasing well received record albums. In her later years, Horne starred in her own one woman show, Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music, which ran for more than three hundred performances on Broadway, and earned her numerous awards and accolades.

“She was an icon,” Queen Latifah told ESPN.

What’s Up With Nicki Minaj and Diddy?

A few days ago Nicki Minaj was seen leaving Guys and Dolls LA nightclub with P. Diddy. Was this just two business associates hanging out? Diddy does happen to be her new business manager. Or could it be a wild romance? They are clearly holding hands. Either way, Nicki needs to cheer up. Your teen fans, or Teenage Mutant Ninja Barbies, as you call them love you, Nicki. After all, you are pretty much the only female rapper on the radio these days.

Alicia Keys On American Idol

Alicia Keys was the artist who helped guide the contestants through their performances on this last week’s American Idol. “Big lights will inspire you…” she sang appropriately during her solo rendition of “Empire State of Mind Pt.II” on Thursday. Alicia’s beautiful silhouette glided onto the stage singing “Un-Thinkable (I’m Ready)” after Ryan Seacrest announced “She’s the co-founder of Keep a Child Alive.” Luckily, Lil Kim was not around to crash this one.

Check out this video of Alicia Keys performing “Un-Thinkable (I’m Ready)” on American Idol –

And here’s a little reminder of Lil Kim interrupting Alicia Keys & Jayz –

Keep up with Alicia Keys on Facebook and Twitter.

Student Sent Home For Wearing ‘I Heart Lady Gay Gay’ T-shirt

Last week, 15-year-old Cole Goforth at Tennessee’s Greenbrier High School was been sent home for wearing an “I heart Lady Gay Gay” T-shirt from Lady Gaga’s Monster Ball Tour. A school official claimed “We’ve had a few disruptions the last few days, and we thought the slogan on that shirt would continue to escalate those incidents that had occurred.”

Quickly to the 15-year-old’s defense, Lady Gaga tweeted “It reminds me of my commitment + love for u, and the deep unconditional devotion I feel to write music that will liberate you from prejudice.”

She continued “Thank u for wearing your tee-shirt proud at school, you make me so proud, at the monsterball, you are an inspiration to us all. I love you.X”

What do you think? Should Cole have been allowed to wear his ‘I heart Lady Gay Gay’ t-shirt?

Jennifer Lopez Attempts To Sing Streisand And Laughs At Her Own Voice

Being a Diva can pay off for the worst when your music-studio engineer leaks your vocals. Reportedly an engineer had enough of J. Lo and her voice can now be heard for all eternity muddling through Barbara Streisand’s ‘Enough is Enough’ song in a cacophonously jarring way. “Whoa! I’m sorry everybody! That hurt me too!” J. Lo is heard saying upon the realization that her voice is hurting everyone’s ears. Poor J. Lo.

Def Jam, who just signed her, is probably sorry about this leak.

Sorry everybody.

Artist To Watch – Hollywood Kill

Hollywood Kill is a two person band consisting of Greg Tamura and Karen Gutierrez, a couple of Irish, Nicaraguan and Japanese heritage who’ve known each other since High School. They most recently caught the eyes and ears of their eclectic crowd performing at Les Deux in LA, beginning their dark and gritty, Electro psychobilly music set with firing sparklers as they moved on to perform atop the separating ledge of the outdoor area, instantly establishing an intimate connection with “Leave Your Troubles Behind.”

The lyrics are perfect nightlife ambiance:
“We’re standing in line, to leave our troubles behind.”
The night is calling…
I got no curfew kiss my lips…
I’m looking for answers, just wanna escape
Let’s get higher, come my way

Their song “Leave your Troubles Behind” is now available on their newest album The Other Side of Midnight

Hollywood Kill has also performed at venues such as Kress, Viper Room, The Conga Room, The Roxy and Boardners.

You can catch Hollywood Kill tonight in LA at the Dragonfly!

Artist To Watch: Brett Dennen

Brett Dennen’s “Ain’t No Reason” is a piece of acoustic heaven wrapped in folksiness. Powerful images in the music video directed by Clair Carre along with Dennen’s brilliant tapestry of lyrics invoke change-the-world nostalgia from the 60’s, showing our routines and comforts more connected to our social issues than we care to admit.

“What would happen if you were forced to deal with something that you may think has nothing to do with you?” Brett Dennen asks. Ensconced in the central message of social responsibility is his comforting and introspective feeling that “Love will come and set me free.”

Brett’s current trajectory includes Saint Paul, MN 9/2; Toronto, ON 9/5, and Hollywood CA 10/10.

“Ain’t No Reason” can be found on his CD “SO MUCH MORE” – an ideal soundtrack for a Southern California Beach party.

Download “Ain’t No Reason” here