After weeks of speculation the news is finally in!
Fox's American Idol judge, Steven Tyler, has made the official announcement that he will not be returning for the new season. Quickly after Jennifer Lopez released a "maybe I will, maybe I won't return" statement, audiences are wondering if the songstress will be following in Tyler's footsteps and departing from from the glorified singing competition.
But do not fret Joonbuggers, such is life. Out with the old and in with the new!
What sets the American Idol panel apart from other singing competitions is its consistency in choosing musically relative judges year after year. That being said we would not want to tamper with the formula of success. We have a few suggestions for AI's producer Nigel Lythogoe on who we would want to see in the judge's chair come next season.
Miami Beach + some of the biggest names in music. It doesn't get much better than the Orange Drive Music Festival happening Friday December 30th - Sunday January 1st. Ocean Drive between 7th and 9th will be packed with people and entertainment celebrating both the New Year and the Orange Bowl.
Here's the full schedule:
December 30 - 7:00pm
- Boys II Men
- Pete Wentz and The Black Cards
- Gym Class Heroes
December 31 - 9:00pm
- DJ Irie
- Jason Derulo
- Ne-Yo
- Jermaine Dupri (DJ Set)
Hip Hop artist, Ne-Yo, will host his annual Compound Foundation Giving Tour this December. The first event kicks off on December 7th in Las Vegas. The four city celebration will then move to Chicago on December 8th, followed by Boston on Friday, December 9th, and ending in Washington D.C. on Sunday, December 11th. The Compound Foundation was founded in 2007 Ne-Yo a.k.a Shaffer Smith and his business partner Reynell Hay to bring awareness and improve quality of life for children in foster homes and group homes. The Foundation’s mission strives to help young people develop healthy relationships, pursue education, and help them achieve their dreams.
The numbers are in for Wale's new album Ambition, and it's officially taken the #1 spot on Billboard’s Hip-Hop/R&B list with over 164,062 copies sold. He's also ranking in at #2 on the overall Top 200. Additionally, Ambition held the #1 spot at iTunes beating out Miranda Lambert, Florence + The Machine, and even Justin Bieber! The album features appearances from heavy hitters such as Kid Cudi, Big Sean, Ne-Yo, Jeremih, Miguel and Lloyd. Diplo and Lex Luger also lend their signature sound to tracks.
Ne-Yo got more than just a little support Sunday, Nov. 21, during his black carpet affair in Avalon Hollywood. The R&B singer and producer was joined by friends at his VEVO and Compound Entertainment sponsored show and after party. The Ne-Yo and Friends Party started off with some Moet and Chandon champagne and ended with some collaborative surprise performances.
Diddy came out to perform It’s All About the Benjamins and Mo Money Mo Problems. Even Jamie Foxx was pressured to join the stage. Ne-Yo’s band started playing She Got Her Own and it was all over for the actor. Ne-Yo also took pictures with fans during a Kelly Rowland performance and Keri Hilson fooled everyone. Acting quite sly and stating she was just there to enjoy, the singer popped out of her seat a moment later with microphone in hand to collaborate Knock You Down.
The American Music Awards will take place in Los Angeles Nokia Theatre on November 21 at 5.00PM. I'm afraid the price of the tickets looks horribly expensive. Check out the list of the live performers !
Kid Rock, Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift, Carlos Santana, Gavin Rossdale, New Kids on the Block & Backstreet Boys (wait.. what ???), Rihanna, Ne-Yo & Sean "Diddy" Combs, Justin Bieber, Ke$ha, Katy Perry, Christina Aguilera, Bon Jovi, Pink, Usher.
Who said kids rule the world because of their parents visa ? Go tweet little bird ! The voting period is closed now. The show will be on ABC.
"Yeah. But I must say, I don't like it as much," he confessed. "And neither will you, but you have both versions. That only goes to show how big of a hit record it is at this point. I didn’t mean to offend anyone. It was done in good taste and it wasn’t meant to be an insulting thing. I’m sorry, kiddies."
Congratulations are in order for the suave singer and his girlfriend, Monyetta Shaw, who are expecting their first child together. The 30-year-old R&B singer confirmed the news to Ebony magazine while in Beverly Hills. Ne-Yo remained true to his gentleman ways when he skipped the ASCAP Awards to fly home for the first ultrasound. Best wishes to the couple!
Big news out of Vegas this weekend as the Encore Beach Club and Surrender Nightclub are opening at the Steve Wynn owned Encore Hotel. Combined there was about 60,000 square feet of new space added as a result of the over $65 million project. That's the kind of money that buys double-decker bungalows, (for those times when a single deck just isn't enough!) private cabanas with flat screen televisions, and a gaming pavilion in addition to the hot tubs and three tiered adults-only pool (for those times when two tiers just aren't enough! I sense a pattern here...)