Soul Train Host Don Cornelius Found Dead

Don Cornelius, creator of the long-running TV dance show “Soul Train,” shot himself to death Wednesday morning at his home, police said. He was 75.

He was pronounced dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at 4:56 a.m. at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, said Los Angeles County Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter.

“Soul Train” began in Chicago as a local program in 1970 and aired nationally from 1971 to 2006. It brought the best R&B, soul and later hip-hop acts to TV and had teenagers dance to them. It was one of the first shows to showcase African-Americans prominently, although the dance group was racially mixed. Cornelius was the first host and executive producer.

Etta James, Terminally Ill, Released from Hospital

Terminally ill legendary soul singer Etta James was released from a California hospital yesterday and is now resting at her home in Riverside, California. James, who is suffering from leukemia, kidney disease and dementia, spent much of the past month in the hospital after struggling to breathe on her own. She was previously hospitalized in May with a blood infection. According to James’ business manager, Lupe De Leon, the singer can only communicate with nods and simple words.

Etta James’ career has spanned five decades and influenced numerous artists, including Beyoncé and Adele.

Rihanna Releases “You Da One” Video Teaser

As “We Found Love” continues to heat up the charts, superstar Rihanna is getting ready to release her second Talk That Talk single, “You Da One,” by giving fans a behind-the-scenes teaser for the music video.

In the two-minute montage, fans get several glimpses at a blond-bobbed Rihanna with a fitted gold grill and a slew of outfit changes. For one of her ensembles, the pop titan dons a gold chain necklace and midriff-baring two-piece as she grinds up against a checkered wall with life-size playing cards nearby. Another scene finds the singer in a white tank top and tattered jean shorts, swinging a cane in between two brick buildings.

“We’re in London town!” the chart-topper tells the cameraman while the Dr. Luke-produced track plays in the background. “We tried to shoot our first setup outside, but it started to rain really, really hard. Then it stopped after we had to switch setups. … I’m running on one hour of sleep. I’m not even going to remember this tomorrow. My eyes are burning a little bit.”

Fans can also expect to be kept in the loop about the video for “Take Care,” Rihanna’s collabo with Drake. About the video, Drake said, “I want to make it perfect — the best video I’ve done to date — so I’m just taking my time.”

Lil Kim May Be Subject of New Nicki Minaj’s “Stupid Hoe”

Two weeks after releasing “Roman in Moscow,” the first single off her new album, Nicki Minaj’s alter ego Roman Zolanski returns to attack with her song, ” Stupid Hoe.”

“Bitch talkin’ she the queen when she looking like lab rat,” Minaj raps in the beginning of “Stupid Hoe.” Is Minaj talking about Lil Kim, also known as the Queen Bee?

The shots go throughout the song. “Stupid hoe is my enemy/ Stupid hoe is so wack/ Stupid hoe should have be-friended/ Then she could have probably came back.” Sonically, the new track sounds quite similar to “I Get Crazy,” a cut off Minaj’s last mixtape, “Beam Me Up Scotty.”

Legendary Singer Etta James Terminally Ill

Etta James, Grammy-winning R&B singer, is terminally ill, according to her live-in physician.

Dr. Elaine James, who is of no relation to the singer, told a California newspaper in a video interview that the 73-year-old “At Last” singer has leukemia, dementia and kidney disease among her “many, many illnesses.”

“At the present time, Etta is considered terminally ill,” the doctor said. Dr. James added that the diagnosis was made about two weeks ago by three medical specialists including an oncologist and an internist from a local hospital where the singer is frequently treated.

James’ two sons, Donto and Sametto, told Reuters on Friday that they were not sure the terminally ill diagnosis was accurate and it was announced without the family’s agreement.

Both sons agree that their mother’s health is deteriorating and felt that she should be admitted to hospital rather than receiving care at her home in Riverside.

“I saw her the day before yesterday, and I think she needs to be in the hospital. She doesn’t look good,” said Donto James.

James has remained active in the music industry despite her ailments, and she released an album in November this year entitled “The Dreamer.”

“I don’t think it was meant to be her final album, of course she wants to make more music,” said Sametto James.

Simon Curtis

Pop singing sensation Simon Curtis finally released his highly-anticipated sophomore album R∆, which is a follow up to his critically acclaimed debut album, 8-Bit Heart. Simon didn’t disappoint his “Robot Army” (a nickname for his fanbase) with his latest album R∆, which reached #17 on the US iTunes pop album chart. See what all the buzz is about and listen to a sample of his single “Laser Guns Up” below.

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www.simon-curtis.com
www.facebook.com/SimonCurtisMusic
www.twitter.com/SimonCurtis

Artist To Watch: Jared Lee

It only takes a couple of seconds to fall in love with a voice as rich and soulful as Jared Lee’s. For fans of The Script and OneRepublic, Jared Lee is an artist to watch closely.

Recently signed to a worldwide publishing deal with Chrysalis Music, Jared Lee just wrapped production on his debut album with producer Mike K (Nelly Furtado, Natasha Bedingfield). Armed with a stack of r&b infused pop-rock songs, Jared’s music is full of radio-ready anthemic choruses, soaring guitars, powerful drums, and highlighted with soulful vocals that cut right to the core. As the buzz continues to build on this rising star, expect to hear a lot more about this newcomer in the upcoming months.

Jared Lee is currently being featured by Clear Channel as the “Artist To Watch – Pop” on over 71 US Top40 radio websites.

Check out this footage taken at his Jan 9th, 2011 show at the famous Roxy Theatre in Los Angeles.

Jared Lee’s ‘It’s Over (Goodbye)’ is available on iTunes.

Check out Jared Lee on the web –
http://www.JaredLeeMusic.com
http://www.twitter.com/JaredLeeMusic
http://www.facebook.com/JaredLeeMusic
http://www.myspace.com/JaredLee

Ashanti’s Back In The Studio Recording New Album

Ashanti released a photo of her back in the studio recording her new album.

The R&B singer is reportedly working with Cool & Dre, LT Hutton, Dr. Dre, Game, Carvin & Ivan, Common, Darkchild and Tank on her upcoming LP.

Chris Brown Announces New Single ‘Calypso’

Photo: Gene Young/Splash News

I’m hesitant to even mention his name on here, but I’ve been learning to forgive, although I’m sure none of us will ever forget that night before the Grammy’s when Chris Brown beat Rihanna.

Chris Brown’s career has suffered a huge setback following that incident, but it looks like he’s making a bit of a comeback. His movie Takers took the top spot at the box office this past weekend and his single, “Deuces” featuring Tyga and Kevin McCall, is currently poised to overtake the Billboard Hot R&B and Hip-Hop songs chart.

Brown announced his new single ‘Calypso’ via Twitter last night. Brown tweeted, “Geeked UP!!! NEW SINGLE called ‘Calypso’ coming real soon produced by POLOW DA DON,” he wrote, “this is a song that women have been missing from ME!!”

Usher’s ‘Versus’ in Stores August 24th

Usher will release Versus, a nine-song follow-up to Raymond V. Raymond on August 24th.

Fans will also have the opportunity to purchase Raymond V. Raymond (The Deluxe Edition) which will contain all 22 songs from Raymond V. Raymond and Versus. The new set will include his current No. 1 hit “There Goes My Baby” the pop smash “DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love” featuring Pitbull , and Usher’s explosive collaboration with Jay-Z “Hot Tottie.”

Versus is an extension of Usher’s sixth studio album Raymond V. Raymond. RVR debuted at No. 1 on Pop and R&B albums charts and spawned five hit singles including “Hey Daddy (Daddy’s Home),” “Lil Freak” featuring Nicki Minaj, “There Goes My Baby” and “OMG” featuring will.i.am.

Versus Tracklisting:

Love ‘Em All
DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love (featuring Pitbull)
Hot Tottie (featuring Jay-Z)
Lay You Down
Lingerie
There Goes My Baby
Get In My Car (featuring Bun B)
Somebody To Love REMIX (featuring Justin Bieber)
Stranger

Usher will perform his blockbuster summer anthem “OMG” live in Central Park as part of the Good Morning America Concert Series on Friday, August 20th and he will perform on The Early Show on September 3rd. The “DJ Fallin’ In Love” video, directed by Hiro Murai, is slated to premiere on VEVO and video networks next week.

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