Tonight on "Supernatural"

11/01/07
CW 9PM EST.
"Bedtime Stories"
Once upon a time, Sam and Dean visit a strange town where mysterious deaths seemed linked to fairy tales. Meanwhile, Sam summons the Crossroad Demon (Sandra McCoy) and threatens her with the rebuilt Colt unless Dean is released from the deal.

Next Week on "Reaper"

Episode: #7
"Love, Bullets and Blacktop"

Omarion & Bow Wow's "Faceoff" Album Cover

Album in stores December 11th.

Huge, Huge, Huge Heroes Spoilers!

A member of the NBC.Com "Heroes" forum has posted some spoilers for episode eleven, titled "Powerless." Though none of this is 100% accurate, it seems pretty legit. Read at your own risk. If you do not want to know what is going to happen, DO NOT READ THIS. HEAVY SPOILERS AHEAD..

*Episode 11 is titled ‘POWERLESS’

*Look for our intro of Earth spinning (during title HEROES scene) to just abruptly stop. (due to continuation of Hiro’s time freeze from the previous ep.)

*Kensei is immortal, he cannot be killed. His name will no longer be known as Kensei but ADAM MONROE. The original 12 have betrayed him in the past and Kensei/Adam will be taking revenge upon the original 12. And yes, it’s still David Anders playing the Kensei/Adam part. But gone are the samurai outfits replaced by sharp looking suits.

*Peter will be helping Kensei/Adam at Primatech to get/destroy the virus. By this point, Peter has seen the future and the devastation of the virus. He has come to this particular time/place with Adam to destroy the virus. He knows it will kill pretty much everybody. What he doesnt know is Adam’s true intention for the virus.

When asked by Hiro why he’s helping Adam, Peter claims that Adam is his friend. And also mentions that Adam saved Nathan’s life. Hiro will try to convince Peter that he was betrayed by Adam 400 yrs ago and that he will betray Peter also. Hiro is also trying to avenge his father’s death since Adam’s the one who killed him, along with the other older generations. Peter will argue back letting Hiro know that Kaito’s the one who had Adam locked away for 30 yrs. He will mention that he was also in the same prison. Peter clearly states that he does not want to hurt Hiro.

The showdown at Primatech will mainly be between Hiro and Peter since Adam will be frozen in time. They are also not alone in this room, there are Primatech employees who’ll be frozen in time during this. The swings Hiro throws will be blocked by Peter telekinetically.

When Hiro has the sword to Peter’s throat, Peter will shock his sword with electricity knocking him out. Adam will shortly ‘reclaim’ his sword coming out of being frozen.

*Matt will ‘fly.’ Ofcourse with the help of Nathan to Primatech. Keep your ears perked up for a hilarious comment Matt makes once they land.

Matt will inquire to Nathan about just how dangerous Peter is. (comparing him to the Kirby Plaza incident.) Nathan informs Matt that he himself hasn’t seen Peter since that night. Matt is trying to explain to Nathan that Angela gave him instructions on how to kill her own son Peter. IF NEED BE!!! Nathan won’t hear any of it and basically tells Matt that he will handle Peter if he’s a problem. Hiro will join in with Nathan and Matt.

*Peter is opening the vaults, straining himself, even bleeding from his nose in trying. He will instruct Adam to get the virus. Its at this point Hiro will attempt once again to stop Adam, Peter. But Peter’s belief within Adam is so strong he will stop Hiro.

Matt will join in and tells Peter (mentally) to let go of Hiro and go after Adam instead. Peter seems to follow his direction but he will resist (mentally) to Matt.

*Nathan will release Angela from jail. Angela will be pretty much the only one left out of all her ‘friends’/original 12. The latest victim being Victoria Pratt. Matt will be the one who’ll find Victoria’s body in Maine along with the photo with the ‘death mark’ across her face. Angela explains to Nathan and Matt that it’s done and over with, Adam is wanting revenge and she feels defeated and its over. It’s at this point Nathan will explain to Angela that Peter is still alive.

*Hiro will take his defeat in shame back to Japan where Ando is. He will have failed his father and let the virus get out.

We’ll also find out the fate of Adam. He’ll be buried alive next to Kaito’s grave in a metal coffin also reinforced with a concrete casket. Look for our favorite rodent, the infamous cockroach, to make his little cameo.

*Look for Nathan to give an ‘unoffical’ speech addressing the world regarding the virus outbreak that happens in Odessa, TX. Nathan clearly states to the persistent reporter to find someone who’s in charge, not him. He will NOT want to give this speech and only does so when he is pushed by a reporter named Bruce Evans. All the reporters will be broadcasting his speech from the police station in Odessa, TX. This reluctant speech will be broadcasted throughout the world and be viewed by our heroes.

In his speech, he’s mentioning how brave the people in this town have been by locking themselves in for the safety of the rest of the world. It’ll be quite inspirational and uplifting. Also, you’ll see why the ep. title is called POWERLESS through Nathan here.

Viewing this, we’ll see Molly is with Suresh at Isacc’s Loft also with Maya and Elle. Also viewing this at her home is Claire, and she’ll be relieved to see Peter on screen with Nathan and will find out he is indeed still alive.

*Look for Nathan on becoming sick. How sick, how severe, or how minor, not giving out that info. (after his speech)

*Someone named HYPE will bring down the restaurant with Monica in it. He will set a fire to this building. Ultimately, Niki will sacrifice herself for Monica.

Yes, it’s Niki dying in the fire.

*Elle will be the one to bring down Sylar this season and emerge as the ‘Hero.’ [x]

I really wish I hadn't read these spoilers but I can't help myself sometimes. A lot of this really makes sense and confirms a lot of speculation (Nikki getting killed off). I guess Tim Kring wasn't lying when he said episode "7 through 11 are the best episodes we've ever done." This shit sounds fucking intense.

Jay-Z’s American Gangster Tour Sold Out in 60 Seconds

Rapper Jay- Z’s current tour sold out in a reported 60 seconds earlier this week. The five day tour is set to stop in Philadelphia, New York, Chicago and more.

Jay-Z was inspired to record "American Gangster" after seeing the film,‘American Gangster’ the upcoming films stars Denzel Washington T.I., and Russell Crowe.

The tour will begin at Los Angeles’s House of Blues on November 6, 2007 which is also the same day the album will be released. [x]

Holy shit. How do tickets sell out in 60 seconds?

Reaper: Halloween Style!

So Halloween is tomorrow and you know what that means: Halloween themed episodes. Don't you love those?

One of my favorite new shows this season is Reaper, which airs on that crappy ass network known as the CW. If you're into supernatural themed shows with a comedic twist: Reaper is a must see.

Check out some images from tonight's episode, titled "Leon."

Tuesday 10/30, 9:00 PM: Leon
When Sam goes to the DMV to return the escaped soul, he discovers the demons take Halloween off; the devil, depressed by Halloween, gives Sam an extra-hard assignment to make himself feel better.

Credit to Reapernews.com for the images.

"Heroes" Galore; Trailers, Tidbits and More!

Next week's episode looks really good. About damn time the pace picks up. Episode is titled "Out Of Time."



What's even better is episode eight, titled "4 Months Ago." Check out these crazy spoilers from Kristin (E! Online):

Elle Is Super Kinkay: In ep 8, which flashes back four months, just wait till you see how sadistic our darling Kristen Bell can be as she gleefully zaps and zings Peter. Oh, and FYI, their lips might kinda sorta meet. And oh yeah, I might freak. I mean, Veronica and Jess lip-locking? Hello? That's the stuff of TV legends!

Maya Is Super Bad: And not in a fun Michael Cera of Superbad way—more like a Bill from Kill Bill kinda way. Just wait till you see what she did four months ago! You'll think her brother is a saint.

Nathan Is Super Lucky: You know that creeptastic burned dude Mr. Petrelli keeps seeing in the mirror? Sources confirm to me that's most definitely Nathan just a few months back, and the reason he looks so good is that (a) Adrian Pasdar is genetically blessed and (b) there's a cool new "cure" of sorts that could do a whole lotta people some good—including Nathan and, I don't know, perhaps Isaac and D.L. and Simone and Daddy Suresh, to name a few.

Kensei Is Super Old: 400 years old and he looks that good without a smidge of Botox? No fair! And he might even have picked himself up an Anglo name! You'll see very soon, and so will Peter, who gets a new bunkmate.

A Hero Is Super Dead: Sylar's gonna kill a Hero. A non-Hero's gonna kill a non-Hero. And then Sylar's gonna kill another Hero. Yeah, news flash: The guy's still ridonkulously evil. Don't let that shiny new Mylar fool you! [x]

I got more Heroes scoop for ya'll. There's a new article over at TV.com in which Tim Kring (creator) talks about the negative feedback this season and how "episodes 7 through 11 are the best episodes we've ever done."

Heroes has been on the tips of television-viewers' tongues a lot this year, but not for the same reason as last season. The superhero show was a breakout hit last year, but this season it has been the target of critics who cite disjointed storylines, too many characters, and a lack of direction for disappointing fans. Viewers have also tuned out; last week's episode rang in the worst numbers in the key 18-49 demographic ever for the series, according to Nielsen Media Research.

But there's one man who isn't fazed and thinks fans shouldn't be worried either: series creator Tim Kring. [Read more...]

The Wire Season 5 Preview

Thanks to Old_Soul from Siyclone Forums.



This is the final season of what I think is the best show on television, period. Shit looks like it's going to be crazy.

Keyshia Cole On The Cover December Vibe Magazine

I'm not feeling it.

Beyonce and P!nk Submit Songs For Grammy Nominations

Record of The Year
Irreplaceable

Song of The Year
Beautiful Liar (w/ Shakira)

Best Female R&B Vocal Performance
Flaws and All

Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group
When I First Saw You (w/ Jamie Foxx)
Until The End of Time (w/ Justin Timberlake)

Best R&B Song
Flaws & All
Until The End of Time (w/ Justin Timberlake)

Best Female Pop Vocal Performance
If

Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals
Beautiful Liar (w/ Shakira)

Best Latin Urban Album
Irreemplazable

Best Short Form Music Video
Irreplaceable
Get Me Bodied

Record of The Year
Who Knew

Song of The Year
Who Knew

Best Female Pop Performance
Who Knew

These are the songs P!nk and Beyonce submitted for Grammys nominations. The Grammys receive tons and tons of submissions for each category and it is up to them to choose which songs should be nominated.

I personally think that "Who Knew" has a shot of being nominated in all three categories as well as "Irreplaceable." I don't know about all the other shit though.

3 Minute SNEAK PEEK Of Tomorrow Night's "Heroes"

Thanks to the cool people at Heroes: The Series [x].

Episode 6: The Line

Kelly Rowland Can Sing... When She Wants To

Kelly Rowland has got to be the most inconsistent female vocalist in the music business. She never sounds as good as she can. I remember watching her perform Destiny's Child's "Gospel Medley" on BET a couple of years ago. Not only did she sound amazing but she blew Beyonce out of the water. Shit, who would've known?



But I'm not a fan of Kelly Rowland: the solo artist. She doesn't seem to have the hunger her competitors have. She doesn't have the "IT" quality. Not to mention, her albums have all underperformed (or flopped) and her material just isn't all that great, which is a shame because the girl can actually sing. Of course her management is to blame for the lack of promotion and whatnot but Kelly Rowland has gone through this shit time and time again and she's still there. Why? Can you imagine how big Kelly Rowland would if she had a good management team? Leave Matthew Knowles? Yea right. Wishful thinking. That will never happen.

Apparently a re-release is in the works and she's working with the producer of the moment, Danja (Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake). I've pretty much given up all hope on the girl but hey... you never know.

FutureSex/LoveSounds & Blackout Deluxe Edition

CD
1. "FutureSex/LoveSound"; 4:01
2. "SexyBack" (featuring Timbaland); 4:02
3. "Sexy Ladies/Let Me Talk to You (featuring Timbaland) (Prelude)"; 5:32
4. "My Love" (featuring T.I.); 4:36
5. "LoveStoned/I Think She Knows (Interlude)"; 7:24
6. "What Goes Around.../...Comes Around (Interlude)"; 7:28
7. "Chop Me Up" (featuring Timbaland and Three 6 Mafia); 5:04
8. "Damn Girl" (featuring Will.i.am) ; 5:12
9. "Summer Love/Set the Mood Prelude"; 6:24
10. "Until the End of Time"; 5:22
11. "Losing My Way" (featuring Hezekiah Walker) (She's a Priest :S); 5:22
12. "(Another Song) All Over Again"; 5:45
13. "Until the End of Time"(duet with Beyoncé Knowles); 5:22
14. "SexyBack" (Remix) (featuring Missy Elliott
15. "Sexy Ladies" (Remix) (featuring 50 Cent)

DVD
1. "Sexyback" (Video)
2. "Let Me Talk to You/My Love" (Video)
3. "What Goes Around...Comes Around" (Video)
4. "Lovestoned/I Think She Knows" (Video)
5. Making Of Videos
6. Performances From All Around The World

In stores November 27th.

Britney Spears is also rumored to be having a deluxe edition coming out. Check out the tracklisting that's been floating around:

CD1
1. Intro
2. Break The Ice
3. Gimme More
4. Piece Of Me
5. Radar
6. Get Naked (I Got A Plan)
7. Freakshow
8. Toy Soldier
9. Hot As Ice
10. Ooh Ooh Baby
11. Perfect Love
12. Why Should I Be Sad

CD2
1. Intro Blackout Sessions
2. Get Back
3. Radar (Remix)
4. Everybody
5. Rebellion (New Version)
6. Outta This World
7. Kiss Me All Over
8. Heaven On Earth (Radio Remix)
9. Gimme More (Remix)
10. Tell Me What You're Sippin On
11. Baby Boy
12. Waterfall (Interlude)
13. Mystical
14. Little Me
15. Cry
16. Sugarfall

Random R&B News

New Kelly Rowland Track

Kelly Rowland has hooked up with Gym Class Heroes on a track entitled "Daylight", and it's set to appear on the re-release of her sophomore album "Miss Kelly".

Beyonce Busy Working On New Album

"I'm supposed to be on vacation, but I've been in the studio because that's what I love to do. I don't feel like it's my job. It's a blessing for me to be able to do what I love. That's how it is for everyone who loves music. I knew it would be difficult for him because it's a part of our makeup."

Jive Records Drops Kelis

Kelis has been dropped from Jive Records. "It was a case of being in the ever-shrinking world of the record industry and finding herself on a label she wasn't signed to and without a champion," says Kelis' manager, Jeff Rabhan. "She's a different kind of artist — very image and style-driven. It's either something you get or you don't."

Kelis has been working on an indie dance record with Cee-Lo. A full-on pop effort with Guy Chambers (Robbie Williams) will be shopped around soon. "We're not opposed to another major label deal, but it would have to be non-traditional," adds Rabhan. Kelis is also in talks to host a Project Runway-like show on VH1 and is auditioning for numerous TV and film roles.

Alicia Keys' 2nd Single

Kim Kardashian On The Cover Of Playboy

Video: Ashanti Singing "God Bless America"

I'm actually impressed. Not bad, Shani.

Beyonce To Remake Aaliyah Song

Last week MediaTakeOut.com told you that R&B singer Ciara is trying to record a duet with deceased R&B great Aaliyah (using samples from unreleased tracks). Not to be outdone, it now appears like Beyonce Knowles will be working with the legendary singer also.

But instead of doing a duet with Aaliyah, Beyonce plans on remaking one of her most popular songs - One In A Million. According to an industry insider, Beyonce's camp are waiting to get the thumbs up from Aaliyah's estate before they move forward.

The insider explained to MediaTakeOut.com, "[Beyonce] is looking to honor Aaliyah with the remake. If [Aaliyah's] family doesn't want it done, then it won't be done." [x]

Mediatakeout.com isn't very reliable, but I wonder if this is true? Beyonce is working with Timbaland on her new album, so is this remake something she and Timbo have came up with? Hm..

Sean Paul Video Premiere: Watch Them Roll

Low Ratings No Longer Doom A Show When Web Creates Buzz

Gossip Girl was the can't-miss show for CW, the fledgling network struggling to establish its own identity. Yet the premiere Sept. 19 averaged 3.5 million viewers, modest even by the network's low standards, and a million of them left the following week.

A total bust? Not quite. The soap about privileged Manhattan teenagers — with Pittsford native Nicole Fiscella — gained 20 percent among young adults who recorded it, then watched in the seven days after the first airing. It's a top-five network show among teenage girls, the top new show among all teens and the biggest seller on iTunes.

Gossip Girl also is blog heaven. The buzz factor grew larger last week when gossip pages romantically linked one of its young stars, Chace Crawford, to country star and American Idol winner Carrie Underwood.

So, far from getting a quick hook, Gossip Girl was instead the first show of the new season to be extended beyond the customary 13-week tryout for a full 22-episode season.

It's a case in point of how Hollywood's definition of a hit TV series is radically changing. Though still the primary focus, "live" TV ratings are no longer the sole barometer of success. As viewing habits change, programmers are struggling with how to factor in DVR use, Web viewing, sought-after niche audiences and online chatter when weighing shows' health.

"In the new world we live in, that kind of cultural permeation — the awareness that's greater than the numbers indicate — speaks to the potential for growth of the show," says Gossip executive producer Josh Schwartz.

The pattern followed last year's surprise resurrection of CBS drama Jericho, which was granted a seven-episode reprieve (due early next year). In a campaign to save the show, dedicated fans sent cartons of nuts to network executives — who were nonetheless more impressed by the 5.3 million episodes that were streamed online. [x]

While I have never watched the show, the buzz and hype surrounding it was inescapable prior to its premiere. They promoted the hell out of this show. So when the series premiered with a disappointing 3.5 million viewers and quickly dipped into the 2 million territory, it was clear that the show had underperformed. Apparently the CW didn't think so as it picked up "Gossip Girl" for a full season.

Huh? How? Why? The show tanks and it gets renewed almost instantly. What about Reaper,which has had better ratings than "Gossip Girl" this whole season? And if internet buzz and blogs were that important, why was Veronica Mars canceled (no show had an internet fanbase as big as VMARS)? The CW is such a crappy network. :-/

Britney Spears: Bonus Tracks (Exclusively on iTunes)

Everybody
[Download]

Get Back
[Download]

Thoughts?

Saw IV In Theaters Today

The fourth installment of the popular horror franchise "Saw" hits theaters today. While I have yet to see the movie, I found a pretty good review of the movie over at Bloody-disgusting.com:

One of the most interesting conversations I’ve had all year came when we all finished watching Lionsgate’s SAW IV, which was once again directed by Darren Lynn Bousman. What we chatted about comes on the heel of an upcoming writers strike that is set to force films into production prematurely. Something that is quite relevant when it comes to the SAW franchise. As you know every year Lionsgate finds a way to get another SAW film into theaters just in time for Halloween – how they do it is beyond us, but it’s quite impressive. The fact that the films are rushed can mean one of two things - the flaws are apparent because it was half-assed, or quite possibly the film is way better than it should be because it wasn’t over thought. I want to go with the latter as often too many hands are in the pot forcing a film into long delays and incoherent situations. SAW IV feels like it was an original thought, thrown on paper and tampered with just enough to fill the plot holes leaving us with yet another fun Halloween treat.

Now, upon the news of Detective Kerry's murder, two seasoned FBI profilers, Agent Strahm (Scott Patterson) and Agent Perez (Athena Karkanis), arrive in the terrified community to assist the veteran Detective Hoffman (Costas Mandylor) in sifting through Jigsaw's latest grizzly remains and piecing together the puzzle. However, when SWAT Commander Rigg (Lyriq Bent) is abducted and thrust into a game, the last officer untouched by Jigsaw has but ninety minutes to overcome a series of demented traps and save an old friend or face the deadly consequences.

After Jigsaw’s (Tobin Bell) death in SAW III many of us wondered how his legacy would live on… quite simply we have a series of flashbacks revealing the origin if the new horror icon. In addition, the finale of the film will reveal something so shocking it will force you to have to watch both SAW III and SAW IV again. The genius and problem with this “twist” is that it’s quite confusing when it’s revealed, but once thought about it becomes a device that will forever lend this entry as a worthy contribution to the franchise.

What’s also impressive is how far Darren Bousman has come as a director doing three SAW films. SAW IV is easily the most competent, stylish and “clean” film of his directing career. The transitions are astounding (maybe even overdone at times) and the film has a lot more depth than just quick-cuts flashing imagery in front of us. Editor Kevin Greutert – who worked on all four films – has also developed his skills showing us that a SAW film can be more than flash-cutting and intense pacing… this is the first of the franchise to take some time, and really build on the character’s situation (Rigg’s counting down clock).

The story, written by Marcus Dunstan and Patrick Melton with some help by Thomas Fenton, is also unique to the fact that a lot of characters return but aren’t forced into the story. It’s not overdone and not even ridiculous, like SAW III was at times. But the story couldn’t have come to life without the fantastic leads Lyriq Bent and Betsy Russell (Jigsaw’s ex-wife). Both actors played a tremendous role in bringing this story to life and making it believable.

But as great as the movie can be at times there are some flaws, such as understanding the twist. The ending is so crazy that it is written as if you have seen all three prior SAW films and have just seen SAW III. It’s pretty confusing, so confusing that I had to have it explained to me. As good as Lyriq and Betsy were, some of the other actors didn’t quite hit the spot as I thought at moments it was overacted. Lastly, by being so well shot and smoothly edited I thought some of the intensity of the film was removed and you didn’t quite feel the stress of the 90-minute countdown.

SAW IV will please any fan of the franchise and will fit nice and snug in your new trilogy box set. It has everything you’d ever want from a SAW film and really bring it full circle. The only thing that might displease some of you is the open-ended finale, which is about as blunt as closing the door on Adam’s face in the first SAW. But that’s was you expect right? As Jigsaw so calmly states, “this is only the beginning…” [3.5/5]
[x]

"30 Days of Night" topped the box office last weekend and "Saw IV" is on track to do the same this weekend. Halloween is in effect!

It's Britney Bitch!

The reviews are in and some critics are calling Blackout "Britney Spear's best album." Wow, is it that serious? *Plays "Blackout" again*

Just when it seemed safe to write off Britney Spears as a punch line only capable of entertaining people through tabloid escapades, she goes and gets all musically relevant on us.
"Blackout," her first studio album in four years, is not only a very good album, it's her best work ever - a triumph, with not a bad song to be found on the 12 tracks.

Granted, a Spears rave should be put in its proper context - it's not like we're talking Bob Dylan here. Spears is a lightweight singer who only flourishes when she has great songs and great producers to supplement her minimal vocal talent.

But when she has that help, she's fierce [as hale]. And she gets that boost on every single track on "Blackout," a sizzling, well-crafted, electro-pop dancefest that should return her to pop's elite.

This is a shocker, given all the lowlights Spears has given us this year. From her embarrassing MTV Video Music Awards performance to her bizarre public antics to allegations that she's an irresponsible parent, Spears has been a walking disaster. It seems amazing that she even found her way to a recording studio, let alone did anything of value while in it.

But Spears emerges on "Blackout" as the antithesis of her tabloid persona - confident, sensual, and in control.

"I got my eye on you," she coos on one of the album's best tracks, "Radar," a sexy techno groove that you can't help but bounce to - a feeling that permeates all of "Blackout's" tracks. You won't find any saccharine ballads or fluffy pop on this disc - it's all about generating heat on the dance floor (and if Spears has shown us anything in the last year, it's that she knows how to party).

On the aptly titled "Freakshow," produced by Danja (who worked on Justin Timberlake's "FutureSex/LoveSounds"), Spears gets voyeuristic with a tantalizing promise to get wild in the club. The hypnotic "Get Naked (I Got a Plan)," also produced by Danja, features Spears breathlessly asking, "What I gotta do to make you move my body" before demanding, "take it off, take it off, take it off."

It's not all about grinding to the music, though. On rock-tinged "Piece of Me," produced by Bloodshy & Avant, she defiantly address her critics: "I'm Mrs. Bad Media Karma, another day another drama ... I'm Mrs. Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, I'm Mrs. 'Oh My God That Britney's Shameless."' And on the slow-burn, Neptunes-produced "Why Should I Be Sad," the album's last track, she cops to heartbreak but refuses to let it get her down, a rare vulnerable moment.

Listening to "Blackout" is not only an energetic release, it's also a relief: No, Spears hasn't completely lost it, and yes, her career has a flicker of fire left - actually much, much more. But with all the damage Spears has done and continues to do to her public image, will anyone outside her core fan base (and who knows what that consists of these days) care anymore?

This album is the first, great step in making that happen. [x]

"Poetry it's not. Still, there is something delightfully escapist about Blackout, a perfectly serviceable dance album abundant in the kind of bouncy electro elements that buttressed her hottest hits ..." -- Margeaux Watson, Entertainment Weekly

"On many tracks, Britney sounds so worked over, she doesn't even seem like a person. Instead, she comes off like some machine that bleeps and bloops out an airy array of oohs, ahhs and groans. If a blowup sex doll could sing, this is what she'd sound like." -- Jim Farber, New York Daily News

What's your phobia?

Ever since I can remember, I've had a fear of holes. Yes, holes. And today I found out that my phobia actually has a name: Trypophobia. I get goosebumps and feel gross even writing about this. To better understand what exactly my phobia is, check out these two pics:

Pic One [x]
Pic Two (NSFW) [x]

I can't even look at those pics without my whole body turning cold, feeling extremely itchy and nauseous. Weird huh?

Do you have any weird phobias?

AD Showing Homosexual Baby Causes Ruckus

An ad campaign to counter discrimination against gays has stirred up passions in Italy, using a poster that shows a newborn with the word "homosexual" written on his wristband.

"Sexual orientation is not a choice," reads the slogan on the poster that was going up all across the central-northern Tuscany region and was published in national newspapers Wednesday.

"Using newborns to make people believe that homosexual impulses are an innate characteristic is dishonest and a disgrace," said Christian Democratic lawmaker Luca Volonte.

Gay philosopher Gianni Vattimo said the ad was in "bad taste" and that the slogan was "only partly true."

Italy's main gay rights association ArciGay, for its part, praised the initiative, saying homosexuality is an "unchangeable fact that should be respected." [x]

Have they gone too far by using "homosexual babies" as a way of countering discrimination? It is my personal belief that homosexuality is not a choice; you're born that way. Though I also believe that there are some who choose to experiment on their own. Do you think that the ad is effective? It definitely gets the message across.

Fox Locks Up Female Prison Break Spinoff

Prison Break may be trending downards for Fox, but the network believes it still may be strong enough to launch a women-behind-bars spinoff.

The tentatively titled Prison Break: Cherry Hill will be written by Matt Olmstead, an executive producer on the original series, and Zach Estrin, a co-executive producer. Like the original, Cherry Hill will be produced by 20th Century Fox TV.

Cherry Hill's central character--a woman who is wronged by the nefarious "Company"-- most likely will be introduced in a Prison Break episode later this season.

If the spinoff doesn't move forward, that character reportedly could continue as a regular on the original series. [x]

A female version of "Prison Break?" Sounds interesting. "Prison Break" has fallen off tremendously since it first premiered 3 seasons ago and I think it's running on it's last legs. Makes sense to prep the spinoff.

Halle Berry Apologizes For Saying Jewish Joke

Actress Halle Berry has been forced to issue a public apology after making an apparent anti-Semitic joke on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

During the taping for Friday's show, the Oscar-winning star was showing Leno distorted images of herself on a computer, when she said: "Here's where I look like my Jewish cousin!" as a picture of her with a large nose appeared.

When the joke received no laughs from the audience, Leno quipped, "I'm glad you said that and not me"--and Berry requested the footage be scrapped.

However, an audience member tells New York gossip column PageSix, "Ms. Berry should know how unbelievably inappropriate her comment was. She should be ashamed of herself."

But Berry insists she did not intend to cause offense.

She says, "I so didn't mean to offend anybody--and after the show I realized it could be seen as offensive, so I asked Jay to take it out, and he did.

"What happened was, I was backstage before the show and I have three girls who are Jewish who work for me. We were going through pictures to see which ones looked silly, and one of my Jewish friends said (of the big-nose picture), 'That could be your Jewish cousin!' And I guess it was fresh in my mind, and it just came out of my mouth. But I didn't mean to offend anybody. I didn't. I didn't mean any harm."

The scene was cut from the show. [x]

Anti-semitic? Are you serious? I definitely agree what she said was ignorant and uncalled for but anti-semitic? They're reaching.

Pushing Daisies Picked Up For Full Season

ABC's "Pushing Daisies" has received a full season order while newcomers "Carpoolers" and "Moonlight" have been asked for additional scripts.

Said news comes as the broadcast networks enter the last full week before the November sweeps period begins - a critical time for those series still awaiting word about their respective futures.

"Daisies" has handily won its Wednesday, 8:00/7:00c time period among adults 18-49 in each of its airings, making the back nine order not much of a surprise. [x]

Excellent news. "Pushing Daisies" is by far the best new show this season. For once I agree with the critics. If you haven't watched "Pushing Daisies" you're missing out on a very unique and engaging show. Check out the preview for episode four:




This TV season has been very disappointing. With the exception of "Pushing Daisies," the only new shows I'm watching are Journeyman (which is on the verge of cancellation) and Reaper. I've almost given up hope on Bionic Woman.

Anyways, what TV shows are you guys watching, old and new?

Veronica Mars Season 3 DVD in stores today!

Ahh...Veronica Mars, you have no idea how much I miss you.

In a TV season full of disappointments (Moonlight), sophomore slumps (Friday Night Lights) and lackluster programing (Bionic Woman), I can't help but wish Veronica Mars still aired on the CW. The show, which was never a ratings success, was in danger of being canceled season after season but managed to make it to three seasons (network mergers and all). Pretty impressive for a show with about 2 million viewers. Though Veronica Mars never succeeded in quantity (viewers, ratings, etc.), it more than made up for it in it's quality. In my years of watching prime time television, there have been very few shows which have captured my interest the way Veronica Mars did and still does. (Freaks and Geeks, Buffy and Battlestar Galactica come to mind) If you've never watched Veronica Mars before do yourself a favor and buy the Season 1 DVD. I promise you, you will not regret it.

Anyways, Season 3 of Veronica Mars hits stores today. While most would agree that season 3 was the weakest of the three, it was still better than a lot of that crap on television. The DVD includes a 20 minute bonus feature which basically shows what Veronica Mars would've became had the show been renewed for a fourth season. Ahh...Veronica Mars.

There was going to be a world where Veronica Mars was issued a sidearm, and the CW network didn't think that was a good idea. What fools these mortals be.

The Veronica Mars season-three DVD box set is full of Veronica's world-famous wit and wisdom, put on glowing display in the 20 episodes set during her first year at Hearst College, but it is also radiantly visible in the bonus features, most notably the 20-minute presentation pilot for season four. To the ultimate disappointment of Veronica's voracious fans, the presentation is fantastic. What a tease—to see what might have been when Veronica Mars became an FBI special agent—and then to have it taken away just as quickly.

The 20-minute pitch looks as finished as a regular episode, and Veronica's typical noir has an added gloss thanks to the luxuries of federal financing. There's no sign of Veronica's high school or college friends, or her beloved dad, but somehow that's okay. Had the show been picked up, we no doubt would have been treated to insights on what became of Wallace, Piz, Logan and Mac, not to mention the pleasure of Thanksgiving dinners at the Mars homestead.

In the meantime, saucy Veronica has plenty of interpersonal challenges at her FBI branch office, where the kids are just as snippy as they were in Neptune, only lots smarter. But these are no longer the freaks and geeks and '09er rich kids of Balboa County—these are the best and brightest, and among smart, good-looking, dedicated federales, Veronica is finally in her element.

It's a pleasure to watch, because tiny though she may be, Kristen Bell gives Veronica the surplus of gravitas necessary to make her believable as a federal agent. Somber, pulled-together and charming as ever, FBI Veronica was no doubt on the fast-track to her own criminal task force. What a pleasure it would have been to watch her work with the FBI's resources at her fingertips—not to mention the gun.

You see, when Veronica was a mere minor, not to mention under the anxious tutelage of an overprotective single father, she was generally restricted to protecting herself with a taser, mace or a pit bull named Backup. ("Always take Backup.") In Veronica's hands, those weapons were effective and potentially lethal, but it's something else altogether to see her armed with a semiautomatic weapon.

It's a damn shame that fans won't get to enjoy a series about this very gifted young woman working at her full potential, because, as an FBI agent, Veronica fully becomes the badass we always knew her to be.

As a consolation prize, however, you can watch and rewatch the 20-minute season-four pitch on the season-three Veronica Mars DVD, due out tomorrow, Tues., Oct. 23.

Smarter, funnier and better than everything else on the CW combined, Veronica Mars remains a worthy investment. [x]

Final Thoughts: Watching the season four material on Veronica Mars: Season Three raises an interesting question - if the next season of VM was going to flash-forward four or five years and reach a point in the series that creator Rob Thomas claims he wanted to get in that many real-time years, who's to say the door is completely closed? With shows like Family Guy and Futurama coming back, what if Thomas, Bell, and the rest of the gang found someone to take Veronica Mars: Season Four in 2010 or 11? It doesn't seem out of the question, as the three seasons of this show now available on DVD are likely to build the cult following year after year. We may not have seen the last of Ms. Mars. [x]

Long live Veronica Mars!

"Child's Play" Remake?

According to Shocktillyoudrop.com, Child's Play producer David Kirschner has announced that he is working on a remake to his horror smash, which came out roughly 20 years ago.

"We're discussing it with Don Mancini, who has written all of them with us from the beginning," Kirschner told us. "The next one we're going to do is we're going back and remaking the first one and even pushing it further and making a very terrifying version of the first one, which is pretty scary as it is."

"We haven't come up with anybody yet," he replied when asked whether they were looking at any of today's cutting-edge horror directors. "We haven't really discussed that. We've just been working on stories, so I think that'll be a fun process when we get there." [x]

Why? Why would you even remake your own movie? The original is a classic horror film (we don't have many of those) and it shouldn't be touched. What's up with everyone and their momma remaking all these old classics? I mean, I'd understand if they were remaking some crappy as movie with the intention of making it better. But classic films should not be touched. Perfect examples: The Grudge, Halloween, The Ring, The Omen and even though it doesn't come out till next year, The Eye (starring Jessica Alba).

Goodbye CDs, Hello USB Sticks

Universal Music puts its faith in memory cure for sliding sales

Universal Music, the world’s biggest music company, is to release singles on USB memory sticks this month, in an attempt to arrest the decline in music sales.

The Vivendi-owned company plans to charge about £4.99 for USB singles starting on October 29 with releases from piano rock band Keane and Nicole, the lead singer of the Pussycat Dolls. That compares with £2.99 for a typical CD single.

However, the hope is that fans will be willing to pay extra because the extra storage capacity on a USB allows the addition of videos and other multimedia.

Brian Rose, the commercial director for Universal UK, said: “This is aimed at the younger, 12 to 24 year olds, who no longer believe that the CD is as cool as it used to be”.

Hurt hard by music piracy and legal downloads, sales of CDs are down by 19 per cent in the US and 10 per cent in the UK in the first half of the year.

But with physical music more profitable than downloads, the music business is eager to find formats that will keep consumers coming back to record stores.

Universal’s move is being gradually followed by the other three majors, although by contrast their efforts only amount to dipping their toe in the water, with EMI planning to release Pink Floyd’s studio albums on the format, while Warner Music is aiming squarely at the younger market with a November release of a part-album from electro-punk band Hadouken!

An agreement between the music companies and the Offical Charts Company, which runs the Top 40, means that USB sticks are eligible for inclusion in the chart. That now justifies making them available at the same time as a normal release.

Eric Daugan, vice-president, of digital business in Europe for Warner Music, said: “The CD is an old technology that has not evolved. Fortunately people still want to own a physical product, so with the extra storage, the idea is to offer a better consumer experience”.

For Universal, the UK is the test market for the USB format worldwide, partly because it believes the UK is the last important market for singles.

The company hopes to release USB albums before the end of the year from acts such as Kanye West and Amy Winehouse – although rivals privately query its emphasis on the technology when there are alternatives such as MVI, a DVD-based format that combines music and video.

Mr Rose said: “We’re hoping that people will see USB singles as a piece of merchandise. There’s obviously a demand for collectable physical music the kind of format people want to stick up on their wall”. [x]

I'm actually interested in this. Don't have to worry about scratching or breaking your CD. Don't have to worry about the crazy ass prices they charge for CDs nowadays. You buy your little USB stick and you're good to go. With CD sales declining tremendously, I can see why they would be "testing" something like this.

My question is, what about the folks who don't have computers? What if you want to play the music in your car? Hm... thoughts?

Lala Brown Murdered

Do you guys remember the girl who sang on Lyfe Jenning's song S.E.X.?



She was shot and killed on Friday night along with her boyfriend.

Autopsies had not yet been performed today on a couple found fatally shot late Friday at a music studio on the city's northwest side.

The 22-year-old man and his 21-year-old girlfriend were found inside the Loud Enough production studio, at 5514 W. Lisbon Ave., around 9:30 p.m. by the man's brother who could not reach him and had gone to check on him.

Police believe the couple had been dead at least a day.

A spokeswoman for the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office said Saturday evening that police had ordered that the couple's identities not be released. She said she didn't know when their autopsies would be performed. [x]

Though the article doesn't mention her name, people close to her have confirmed that it was her. R.I.P baby girl. Damn shame how someone can just end your life. Damn shame.

Lala Brown's Myspace -> http://www.myspace.com/lalabrownsex

One Republic Preps Album For November 20th

By now most of you have heard of One Republic. If not, you've definitely heard their song ("Apologize") on the radio (produced by Timbaland). I just recently saw the video (I know, I'm late) and was blown away. Check this shit out:



Tell me that shit ain't hot? Well, besides the three or four songs they have up on their Myspace, not much is known about the group or about an album release. Well, the group has spoken and it appears that the album will be hitting stores November 20th. The following was taken from their Myspace blog:

Hey everyone-FINALLY WE HAVE OUR ALBUM RELEASE DATE....AND IT IS>>>>>>>>>>>(drumroll)

NOVEMBER 20TH !!!!! NOVEMBER 20TH !!!!! NOVEMBER 20TH !!!!!!!!

ALBUM TITLE: Dreaming Out Loud
LABEL: Interscope/MMG

Tell every single human being you know to buy our album in its entirety ON November 20th, or download the whole thing from iTunes!!!

NOTHIN' SAYS "MERRY CHRISTMAS" LIKE A ONEREPUBLIC ALBUM!!

We can GUARANTEE you this album is not a "you'll only like a few songs" kinda album. We've spent the last 3 years working on this thing to ensure tracks 1-12 are the single "best" songs we could squeeze onto a CD, and we are on a mission to make "albums" worth buying again....not just singles. We've spent a ton of time on the artwork, the photos, lyrics, thank you's, you name it. The music goes "with" the art, it's a visual and audible experience.(We will also be including the Timbaland version "remix" of Apologize as a bonus track on the album)

So mark your calendar (and all your friends' calendars)....and support the cause November 20th-

We will be revealing the track listing as well as some artwork on Myspace in the next couple weeks as a preview for the album.

Definitely coppin this one.

L.A. Reid Stands 'Firmly Behind' Nas

There is no divide at Def Jam: They are fully onboard with Nas. At the Manhattan premiere of "American Gangster" at the Apollo Theatre on Friday night (October 19), Island Def Jam Music Group Chairman Antonio "L.A." Reid balked at reports that his company isn't supporting Nas' decision to title his December 11 album zzzzzz.

"Really, who'd you hear that from?" Reid said, acting as if he were surprised. Earlier this week, Fox News reported that someone from his office said the company did not want to release an album with such an explicit name.

Reid said that is not the case.

"We support everything our artists do, everything!" he added. "We stand firmly behind and beside our artists with pride and with pleasure. Anything Nas wants to do, I completely stand beside him. Nas is prolific, he's prophetic, he's a genius, an amazing artist of respect. So, while I'm not sure exactly all that [the title] entails, I know it's smart, so I stand behind him. That's real."

Common, who is in "American Gangster," was also vocal about his support for Nas Friday night.

"I love Nas," he said with a grin. "Nas is always bringing something new, bringing something for us to think about. He's one of the best ever. If it wasn't for Nas, a lot of cats, including myself, wouldn't be rhyming the way they do. So I mean, I know [the title] is something behind what he's doing, he's making statements. That's something we need in hip-hop. Last Poets did it, Gil Scott-Heron did it, Marvin Gaye did it. We gotta keep making statements."

And while many in the hip-hop community are showing their faith for God's Son, despite not hearing his full explanation for why he gave his opus the controversial title, civil-rights activist the Rev. Al Sharpton has condemned his choice of LP moniker.

"Again, I'm opposed to anybody using the term," Sharpton, who has called for total abolishment of word, said on the red carpet. "We're in an age where they are hanging nooses, they're locking our kids up in Jena and Florida. We do not need to be degrading ourselves. We get degraded enough. I think we need artists to lift us up, not lock us down."

Nas told MTV News on Thursday that he wanted to take the power out of the N-word.

"I wanna make the word easy on mutha----as' ears," he explained. "You see how white boys ain't mad at 'cracker' 'cause it don't have the same [sting] as 'zzzzzz'? I want 'zzzzzz' to have less meaning [than] 'cracker.'"

"It has all the sting in the world when people are writing it on boards," Sharpton answered when told of Nas' quote. "What they're doing is, as we're fighting to make [using the N-word word] a hate crime, they're making it not a hate crime, which is helping out the racists. You don't see [people from] any other race trying to take the power out of names being called to them. People [who use the term in their music] wouldn't put out a record against whites or cops or Jews because they ain't got the guts to do that. They only got the guts to beat up on their own."

Method Man, meanwhile, opined that there's too much over-analysis going on.

"Nas knows what he's doing. He's a smart brother. He keeps his name in the game," Tical offered. "Last year, when he put out Hip Hop Is Dead, I was being interviewed, everybody was asking me what I thought about his album. ... I think it's too much emphasis on just the word. I know a word worse than 'zzzzzz': Darfur. Real talk. I'd like to see Reverend Al take a walk out there. Let stop focusing on the wrong sh--." [x]

Wow. Nas is getting some serious media attention for this album. Any first week sales predictions?

Nas Explains Controversial Album Title

Nas says you shouldn't believe anything you've heard about Def Jam putting the kibosh on his next studio album. In fact, he insists he hasn't come across any resistance from the label.

The name of the LP has changed slightly, though. He's going all the way there: It's now called Nigger, and it is set to hit stores December 11.

"I don't know where that [report] came from and neither does Def Jam," Nas said early Thursday morning (October 18) in a Manhattan recording studio when asked about a Fox News article published earlier this week. The story quoted a "source close to" label head L.A. Reid, who scoffed at the thought of the company supporting an album with such a title, and also claimed the album was not on the label's release schedule. "None of us knows where that came from."

(At press time, Def Jam representatives had not responded to MTV News' requests for comment.)

The MC said he's just two weeks from completing the LP and has done most of the work with his friend and constant collaborator, Salaam Remi. Diddy, Jermaine Dupri and DJ Toomp are also expected to get in the lab with Nas before he closes out production.

"Salaam — me and him have some real chemistry," Nas explained. "He can go from Amy Winehouse to Spragga Benz to come f--- with Nas. The other cats, some of us have somewhat of chemistry, some of us don't. ... [People] shouldn't trip off the [album's] title; the songs are crazier than the title."

Nigger has caused some strong reaction from civil-rights activists since news of the name hit the masses. The Fox News Web site quoted Reverend Jesse Jackson and representatives from the NAACP, who admonished Nas for using the N-word as his LP's name.

"I'm a street disciple," Nas responded, quoting one of his earlier album titles. "I'm talking to the streets. Stay out of our business. You ain't got no business worrying about what the word 'nigger' is or acting like you know what my album is about without talking to me. Whether you in the NAACP or you Jesse Jackson. I respect all of them ... I just want them to know: Never fall victim to Fox. Never fall victim to the sh-- they do. What they do is try to hurry up and get you on the phone and try to get you to talk about something you might not know about yet.

"If Cornell West was making an album called Nigger, they would know he's got something intellectual to say," Nas continued. "To think I'm gonna say something that's not intellectual is calling me a nigger, and to be called a nigger by Jesse Jackson and the NAACP is counterproductive, counter-revolutionary."

Nas said he hasn't talked to anyone outside his camp about the title, so he was upset to see that people are up in arms without knowing the story behind him choosing the name.

"I wanna make the word easy on mutha----as' ears," he explained. "You see how white boys ain't mad at 'cracker' 'cause it don't have the same [sting] as 'nigger'? I want 'nigger' to have less meaning [than] 'cracker.' With all the bullsh-- that's going on in the world, racism is at its peak. I wanna do the sh-- that's not being done. I wanna be the artist who ain't out. I wanna make the music I wanna hear.

"We're taking power from the word," he added. "No disrespect to none of them who were part of the civil-rights movement, but some of my n---as in the streets don't know who [civil-rights activist] Medgar Evers was. I love Medgar Evers, but some of the n---as in the streets don't know Medgar Evers, they know who Nas is. And to my older people who don't now who Nas is and who don't know what a street disciple is, stay outta this mutha----in' conversation. We'll talk to you when we're ready. Right now, we're on a whole new movement. We're taking power from that word."

Earlier this year, Nas told MTV News that he wanted to "have fun with the radio" while making his next LP. That was before he settled on the title, though. The album includes ideas and feelings he wanted to express for years that aren't exactly meant to make you dance or sing along in the club.

"Every time I get in the studio, I feel like I wanna have some fun," he said. "My fun is not doing the easy work. My fun is doing what's me. [Radio-friendly songs], that's easy work. My daughter could do that. My daughter could do the sh-- that's out. I wanna do me and hopefully some mutha----as would like it. At this point, I'm looking at the whole world differently. I'm looking at how politics could really be effective for people today, how me as an artist could be more effective. ... I listen to the radio sometime and I like the vibe of that. I go to a club, and my favorite sh-- is Soulja Boy ['Crank That']. I wanna get down with them joints, but ... [my records] do not come out like that."

On November 6, Nas releases his Greatest Hits LP and plans to put out Nigger's first single a day or two after that. Despite the absence of a strong marketing push for the upcoming album (you can partially explain that because he's been working on his own and under the radar), Nas isn't stressing. He said he can't wait for some big plans to sell the album. He just wants to get it out there.

"If you feel like doing a record," he started to say about the freedom he has in his career right now, "you can't wait till everybody is ready. I used to wait. Now I have that sh-- in me — where it is, what it is, buy it or don't buy it, it's cool. Whoever likes it, cool. Whoever don't like it, cool — but it's gotta come out now.

"Everybody is caught up on that first-week thing," he continued. "That was cool. In the beginning, you want n---as to know what time it is on the beginning of your sh--. I'm past that. I had humongous first weeks before, gold in the first week, that's not important with me. When you have a record that's out there, people are going to gravitate towards it at some point in time if they like that type of music. My albums will move units, but it ain't based on what type of units they move. I'm thankful I sell records, but it's not about that.

"This Nigger album is bigger than an album. This is for my daughter, when she looks back and sees all the chump n---as in the game, she'll say, 'My pops was a man.' When I have more kids, they'll see, 'He was a man.' That will inspire them to be real in their life. Some people say I'm conscious, some say I'm a gangsta rapper — it's just me doing me. I'm stomping in my own lane. I'm doing what I do." [x]

Interesting... so what do you guys think?

"Love, Tweet" in stores this April

Tweet’s third album Love, Tweet has an official release date: April 8, 2008. The album will be released on Jheryl Busby’s Umbrella Recordings. Listen to Tweet’s buzz single (not her first official single; see below) called “Good Bye My Dear” which features T.I. and was also produced by him.

“‘Good Bye My Dear’ has that Atlanta sound, which I like,” says Tweet. “Marz [the producer] called me one night and asked me to come by the studio, Grand Hustle, and it just happened. I always wanted to work with T.I. and didn’t know how soon it would happen. But the opportunity came about and I went for it!”

In addition to T.I., Love, Tweet features production by producers such as Nisan Stewart (who worked with Tweet and Missy on previous recordings), Warren Campbell, and Novel who has produced the official first single “Anymore.” [x]

I'm so glad "My Dear" isn't the official first single. I'm not feeling it at all. Hopefully she gets her shit together and makes a better album than that disappointing "It's Me Again."

How yoooouuuu doing?

A picture is worth a thousand words. ;)

Fox News Tackles Nas' New Album

I can't stand Heather Nauert.

Kristen Bell in next week's episode of "Heroes"

I fucking love Kristen Bell. Her performance in all three seasons of "Veronica Mars" was breathtaking. Literally. And then the show was canceled. After offers from both "Lost" and "Heroes," Kristen Bell decided to join the "Heroes" cast because it was more convenient for her (shooting locations and etc.) Next Monday marks her debut. Check out this hot promo:



I think I'm in love. Check out this amazing, very spoilerish interview with Kristen Bell and Tim Kring --> here.

Unoriginal Songs

I always thought "Cleaning Out My Closet" was an original production, but apparently it was sampled:

Eminem - "Cleaning Out My Closet"

Minnie Ripperton - "Can You Feel What I'm Saying"

It's the exact same thing. Dre just turned up the bass and took out the background vocals.

Same sh*t with Pharell and his joint "Frontin." It samples Curtis Mayfield: "Right On For The Darkness"

Timbaland has sampled (or stolen) nearly every song he's ever produced. Most obvious example is Aaliyah's "I Care 4 U" which is the exact same song as The Newcomer's "Too Little In Common To Be Lovers".

There's nothing wrong with sampling but at least give credit where credit is due. I honestly don't know how some of these producers get away with this shit. I mean, aren't there copyrights on these productions?

The Official Tracklisting for Jay-Z’s American Gangster

According to XXL, this is the confirmed track listing for Jay-z's upcoming album, American Gangster.



1. Intro
2. Pray
3. American Dreamin’
4. Hello Brooklyn 2.0 feat. Lil Wayne
5. No Hook
6. Roc Boys (And The Winner Is)…
7. Sweet
8. I Know
9. Party Life
10. Ignorant Sh*t feat. Beanie Sigel
11. Say Hello
12. Success feat. Nas
13. Fallin’
BONUS TRACKS
14. Blue Magic
15. American Gangster

I'm surprised "Dead Presidents 3" isn't on here. Hm..

Nas Names New Album "Nigga"

Album's name will pose challenges for retailers, media.

By Shaheem Reid

The n-word it is.

On Friday night at New York's Roseland Ballroom, Nas announced the title of his next album: He said it will be called Nigga and released in December. A source close to the project confirmed the name on Saturday.

Nas has said he'd planned to use that title for his last LP before he changed it to Hip-Hop Is Dead. If the December date holds firm, Nas will have a very busy winter. On November 6 he's releasing his Greatest Hits LP. A video for one of the two new songs on the project, "Surviving the Times," will be shot soon. Last week, super producer Jermaine Dupri — who has already completed tracks for Jay-Z's American Gangster — told MTV News he would love to be involved in Nas' upcoming new LP.

Nas headlined the last stop of the Sneaker Pimps Tour on Friday, where newcomers such as Mista Mal as well as legends EPMD and Slick Rick had sets. Even Jeru Da Damaja showed up and rocked the mic.

Nas kept fans antsy by not going on until well after 1 a.m., but they left visibly — and audibly — pleased.

He opened with "Hip-Hop Is Dead," then went into his catalog for records such as "One Love" and "Hate Me Now." God's Son ended with "Made You Look," during which he surprised the fans by jumping into the crowd. Once among the people, he began jumping up and down and inciting the people to jump with him. One of Nas' security guards dove into the audience after him, pulling him back to the stage, where he stood none the worse for wear.

"He touched my hand and gave me positive energy," one woman said as the house lights came on.

Besides phat rhymes, spectators saw some of the most exclusive kicks you can hope to get, as sneakers from all over the world were displayed. There was also a pit for professional skaters who sailed up and down ramps. Still, most of the skaters had to put their boards down when the acts came on, especially Nas. [x]

Interesting. Nas is always pushing the limits but is he pushing a little too much? I mean, look at his last album, Hip Hop Is Dead. The album was extremely controversial and he didn't even say anything that hadn't been said before. I'm mad at the fact that he released the lackluster single "Hip Hop Is Dead" and closed it with "Can't Forget About You," considering the fact that his album was full of potential bangers. He was supposed to shoot a video for "Black Republican" with Jayz as well as a video for "Hustlers" featuring The Game; but that never happened.

So we're back at square one. New album. Controversial title. 2 videos and then he's out.

UPDATE
October 17, 2007
Not only does the rapper known as Nas not have an album called “Nigga” coming out in December, as he told a concert crowd on Friday, but he apparently has no album coming out in December at all.

“There is no album release by Nas on the release schedule at this point,” a source close to Island Def Jam Music Group chairman Antonio “L.A.” Reid told FOXNews.com. [x]

Hm...so no new album is on the way? What's poppin, Nas?

Jayz on the cover of new XXL Magazine

Timbaland set to produce most of Beyonce's new album

Timbaland recently confirmed that he's working with Beyonce on her 3rd album, which he predicts "will be huger than life."

Interesting? Yes. Surprised? No.

Timbaland has worked with Beyonce before. He produced Destiny's Child's original first single, "Get On The Bus" as well as the "Say My Name" remix, which was a banger. I'm just a bit disappointed with the fact that he's going to be producing the majority of the album. While Justin Timberlake and Nelly Furtado have had extremely successful albums due primarily to Timbaland's contribution, I was not a fan of either of their albums with the exception of one or two songs. Timbaland's recent work sounds uninspired and bland; a complete 360 from his work with Aaliyah back in the day (R.I.P). But if Timbaland can take it back to that level of production, that high quality RnB, it's a wrap.

While Beyonce had success with her 2nd album, "Bday," one can only imagine how much more she could've had, had she not rushed through everything (poor single selections, unnecessary re-releases and etc.) I just hope she takes her time with this one, I mean, girl has all the talent in the world but she's as predictable as they come.

Fergie "Clumsy" Video

This is single #984789 off her debut solo album. This one will probably go top 10, as did all her other songs.

Jayz "Blue Magic" Video

I'm really feeling this joint. Jayz might have another classic album in his hands. I was extremely disappointed with Kingdom Come, but based on the leaked tracks I've heard already, American Gangster looks like it's going to do some major damage. American Gangster hits stores November 6th.

Joe Budden Dropped

Oh boy... who didn't see this coming?

Rapper Joe Budden is no longer signed to Def Jam Records after being heralded as one of its most promising acts in the early 2000’s.

The rapper said he was pleased to be leaving the label and looked forward to the next steps in his career.

"I'm just happy we were finally able to cut all ties. I feel like I have all the talent in the world, but for some reason was never able to showcase it there,” Budden told AllHipHop.com. “I'm looking forward to whatever God has in store for me, and Joe Budden fans should know - today is a beautiful day."

While Budden’s self-titled 2003 album sold over 500,000 copies, he never released another album on the label. He also scored a hit record with “Pump It Up,” which was used in an NBA Campaign. In 2005, Def jam held a listening session for Budden's second release, The Growth, but the album never materialized.

Even without a second album in the market, Budden stayed relevant by releasing several popular mixtapes via the internet and the streets, most notably Mood Muzik 1 & 2.

Def Jam president Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter recently told AllHipHop.com that he wasn’t exactly sure how to release Budden as an artist.

“If you just want to throw an album out there then next week, [fine]… [Then] you’re recording [songs] about how we didn’t support it. We could do that,” Jay-Z said. “We could do that tomorrow. I don’t think that what he wants. I don’t think that what he needs. Maybe…I don’t know.”

Urban legends and gossipers speculated that a 2003 lyrical sparring session might have led Jay-Z, who eventually became Def Jam’s president, to harbor resentment against the younger rapper.

When Joe Budden’s “Pump It Up,” began to gain popularity in 2003, Jay-Z recorded his own version of the song, which began to get significant radio play. Shortly, Budden recorded a verse and added it on to Jay-Z’s. In each’s verse, it seemed like they were sending subtle lyrical jabs at each other.

Jay-Z insisted that notion was completely false and backed up his statement with present examples.

“That [lyrical sparring match] had never influenced my decisions. You see Beanie has a record with R. Kelly (one of his adversaries). Juelz Santana has put and album out. I’m way too big of a person to [do that]. I would never block anyone’s blessing, because of anything personal. If I didn’t want to deal with him, there’s other people there,” Jay-Z said. “I mean, why do we have a problem, I freestyled on his record. He probably made his career off of freestyling over other people’s records. If I start freestyling over other people’s records…Lord forbid.”

Joe Budden has yet to reveal his next move, but the third installment of the Mood Muzik series has been highly anticipated, especially on the internet. [x]

I doubt we're ever going to get a 2nd album from Mr. Budden. While he has kept himself busy by working on remixes and freestyles here and there, he will not get anywhere with no record label behind him. It's been what, 6-7 years since he dropped his first album? Kid is talented though.

Tribute to Missy Elliott -> VH1 Hip Hop Honors

Hot performance by Tweet, Keyshia Cole, Eve and Ciara.

What's wrong with this picture?

Is this what it's come to? And then we wonder why we never get ahead.

I don't have time for this shit...

I almost got myself into an altercation a couple of days ago, which could've resulted in me loosing my job, getting kicked out of school and last but not least, gotten seriously fucked up.

I arrive at school after a long day of work with only thing on my mind: sleep. As I am getting ready to knock the fuck out, I receive a phone call from a semi-close friend of mine, Jaz. The conversation lasts not even 10 seconds but I heard enough to know that she was in trouble. Sounded like she was arguing with someone and it was getting violent. I ran down the stairs and ran to her building to make sure she was alright and to see who had put their hands on her.

I see her in front of her room, retelling the story to a whole bunch of random people. "He pushed me, I don't let nobody push me. Why the fuck he touch me for? We were drinking and he just went nuts. He scratched me." I had heard enough. Obviously someone had put their hands on her. "Where is this kid at Jaz?" One of the random folks standing there told me that the guy was in front of the building smoking a cig and that his name was Shawn.

So I made my way to the front of the building, and saw about 13 people smoking cigs. Iight, cool. "Who the fuck here is Shawn?" No one answered. By this point everyone was outside trying to see what the fuck was happening. Jaz kept telling me it was OK, that it wasn't worth it. "Yo Jaz who is it?"

So, I'm just standing there and I see her ask someone for a cig. There's a group of 3 there. She smokes the cig and then comes back to me. "Santo, don't do nothing. Don't worry about it. I'll handle it on my own." So, the group of guys go inside and it then hit me that Shawn was one of the three that went in. I asked her if it was him and Jaz tells me "It's him." Before she could say "him" I ran inside the building and chased his ass down. He made it inside the elevator right before I got to him. I had a group of like 3 guys with me, who I didn't even know but they were down for whatever. I went up the stairs and looked for him in the four floors, but I did not see Shawn anywhere.

Jaz was pushing and screaming at me telling me not to do anything. "You fucking idiot, Jaz. How the fuck you gonna call me over here and tell me not to do anything. Fuck you. How you gonna let some guy hit you and act like it's ok. You don't know the guy and you acting like shit is normal. How did you not call the cops? Why didn't you and your friends do something besides stand there like idiots? Huh?"

After looking for him I gave up and sat outside. She smoked another cig and retold the story at least 4 times to a whole bunch of people. I don't know why, but it hit me. "What the fuck am I doing? Why am I overreacting if this bitch is just sitting there telling the story like it's a movie or some shit." The guy walked out and I had the only urge to just go up to him and punch him. But I didn't. I felt like it wasn't worth it. I felt like... she wasn't worth it.

I simply walked away. I went to my room and went to bed. The next day, I woke up and went by her room to check up on her and guess who she was hanging out with all nonchalantly? Ha. Sometimes I ask myself, why do I even bother. I don't have time for this shit, I really don't.

Tweet is back!

"Love, Tweet" is the 3rd studio album from R&B artist Tweet. The album title suggests it is going to be a letter to her fans.

She is signed to Umbrella Recordings. The first single is "My Dear" featuring T.I., which you can download here [x]. The album is scheduled to drop early next year.

I loved her first album "Southern Hummingbird." Classic record in my opinion. Her second album was disappointing and not to mention, a flop. Let's see what happens this time around. What do you guys think of the new single?

Keyshia Cole's New Video

"Should've Let You Go"




I'm feeling this joint though I can't help but notice how much this sounds like Mary J. Blige's "Enough Crying." One thing is to look up to somebody and another thing is to emulate them.

Chicago Bans Sexually Suggestive Dancing @ School Dances

Fliers announcing this month’s Evanston Township High School homecoming dance carry the warning: “salacious or inappropriate dancing” — often called “juking” — is outlawed.

As the homecoming dance season approaches, Chicago-area schools are wrestling with how to stomp out sexually suggestive dancing, or juking, especially one version in which a girl grinds into a boy, her back to his front.

During a meeting with student council members, kids insisted, “This is how we dance. Weren’t you young once?” Romain recalled. “I said to them, ‘If I asked you to dance at homecoming, would you expect me to juke with you?’ They said, ‘No, that’s different.’ I said, ‘Well, this is different, too. We’re not in someone’s basement.’” [x]

What do you guys think? Should sexually suggestive dancing be banned from school dances? Hm...