JumpinJack AJ

Usher Speaks Out on the Rumors About His Relationship THURSDAY JULY 12, 2007 05:25 PM EDT By Tiffany McGee Usher Photo by: John Spellman / Retna In an open letter to PEOPLE, Usher is speaking out about the rumors surrounding his relationship with and upcoming wedding to Tameka Foster, with whom he's expecting a child in the fall. One issue: The report by the New York Post's Page Six that the couple are planning to marry at the end of July in the Hamptons. Usher, 28, won't divulge a wedding date, saying, "Since my wedding day will be special to Tameka and I, this is information that we would like to keep private." Another topic is radio host Tom Joyner's claim that Usher threatened him. According to the New York Daily News, Joyner said Usher threatened to "whup my a--" after he joked about rumored tension between Foster and Usher's mother. Says Usher, "I have never threatened or harassed anyone from any media format." Finally, he wants to make it clear that Foster, 36, is not running his life, as some bloggers have speculated after Usher fired his manager mother, Jonetta Patton, and publicist. But Usher insists: "I am happy, excited, completely clear and independent on my direction, feelings, decisions and I am not being led." The full text of Usher's letter follows: "It has already been announced that I plan to marry this year. However, since my wedding day will be special to Tameka and I, this is information that we would like to keep private. It's disturbing that the media and bloggers (under the guise as 'fans') continuously speculate on the personal aspects of my life, therefore making assumptions and wrong insinuations that my fans are subject to believe. "I am happy, excited, completely clear and independent on my direction, feelings, decisions and I am NOT BEING LED. Some media and bloggers have been totally intrusive, they have misconstrued aspects of my personal life and, because of this, my 'true' fans are not sure about what is fact and what is fiction. There is a difference in stating an opinion versus drawing a conclusion that is incorrect. "As previously reported, I have NEVER threatened or harassed anyone from any media format – print, radio, television or Internet media. At this point the best thing to say to my fans is just because it sounds enticing and it MAY sound 'true,' that does not make it truth. I understand the fact that I must sacrifice some anonymity for the career I love, however some things are personal like having a child or a marriage. These aspects are not for the public and, to me, are sacred. I would hope my privacy in these areas would be respected." – Usher -------------------------------------- Prince CD Giveaway Angers Music Industry By JANE WARDELL, AP Posted: 2007-07-12 16:43:06 LONDON (AP) - Prince has angered the music industry and stirred up trouble among British retailers by giving away his new album with a tabloid newspaper this weekend. "Planet Earth" will be packaged with the Mail on Sunday at a price of $2.80. The giveaway has been roundly criticized as a major blow for an industry already facing rapidly declining CD sales. It has led Sony BMG U.K., Prince's local label, to pull the plug on its own sales release of the CD in Britain. International sales launch for "Planet Earth" is July 16; the U.S. launch is July 24. "The Artist formerly known as Prince should know that with behavior like this he will soon be the Artist Formerly Available in Record Stores," said Paul Quirk, co-chairman of the Entertainment Retailers Association, referring to a period in the 1990s when the singer famously stopped using his name to protest a binding record deal. "It is an insult to all those record stores who have supported Prince throughout his career," Quirk said. A publicist for Prince's record label said the 49-year-old singer-songwriter wasn't doing interviews. Also fueling retailers' ire is what they see as a traitorous move by one of their own. After initially harshly criticizing Prince and the deal, music and books retailer HMV, which doesn't normally sell newspapers, decided to sell the Mail on Sunday in its 400-plus stores across the country. "Like it or not, selling the newspaper is the only way to make the Prince album available to our customers," HMV said. Rival retailers were outraged. "We're stunned that HMV has decided to take what appears to be a complete U-turn on their stance," said Simon Douglas, managing director of retail at Virgin Megastores. "It's not only retailers that suffer; the public will suffer in the long term by restricting choice on the high street." The use of so-called "covermounts," where free CDs or DVDs are attached to the front of a newspaper to catch the buyer's eye, is widespread in Britain where many newspapers are struggling to retain readers who are turning to online news and entertainment. Most of the giveaways are compilations of archive recordings or older films. Past giveaways by the Mail on Sunday include CDs by Duran Duran, Peter Gabriel and Dolly Parton. Prince's CD contains new tracks along with old hits such as "Purple Rain." Sony BMG U.K. said it decided it was "ridiculous" to go ahead with its own sales launch in light of the newspaper deal, but stood by its star singer, adding it remained "delighted" to be working with Prince. The Mail on Sunday declined to say how much it paid to secure the deal or how many copies of "Planet Earth" it planned to sell. Its average circulation is 2.3 million copies. Quirk said the deal was "yet another example of the damaging covermount culture which is destroying any perception of value around recorded music." Beyond the covermounts, the value of recorded music is already under widespread threat from the rapid rise of digital downloads. The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry estimated that overall music sales worldwide fell around 3 percent last year as a doubling in digital sales failed to compensate for falls in physical CD sales and digital piracy. Prince also plans to give away a copy of "Planet Earth" with each ticket sold for his 21-date London concert later this summer. ------------------------------- Kim Porter Says She Broke Up With Diddy AP Posted: 2007-07-12 12:07:38 NEW YORK (AP) - Kim Porter says she dumped Diddy. "After 10 years, I have decided to end my on-again/off-again relationship with Sean `Diddy' Combs," Porter said in a statement Wednesday to syndicated entertainment TV show "The Insider." "In ending this relationship, I made a decision that was in the best interest of myself, Sean and our family. I look forward to moving on with my life and my career, and wish him prosperity, health and happiness in life and in love," the 35-year-old model said. "We will remain friends and committed parents to our children." Porter and Combs have three children: a 9-year-old son, Christian, and 6-month-old twin daughters, D'Lila Star and Jessie James. The 37-year-old rap mogul announced their split earlier this week. He has another son, Justin, with ex-girlfriend Misa Hylton-Brim. --------------------------------------------------- Daredevil, Rapper to Settle 'Kanyevel' Suit Reuters Posted: 2007-07-12 16:58:49 TAMPA, Florida (July 12) - Evel Knievel and rapper Kanye West have agreed to mediate a copyright lawsuit the motorcycle daredevil filed over a music video West made last year. In the "Touch the Sky" video, West appears as "Evel Kanyevel" and wears a white jumpsuit like the one made famous by Knievel during a series of dangerous stunts in the 1960's and 1970's. Knievel sued, saying West was infringing on his trademark and likeness. Complaining that West's video contained vulgar and offensive language and sexual images, he asked that use of the video be stopped and sought all profits from it. Roc-A-Fella Records, which produced the video, was also named as a defendant. But in a filing in U.S. District Court in Tampa on Tuesday, the parties said they had agreed to try to reach a settlement. The mediation is scheduled for November 7 in Tampa. Knievel, 68, lives in Clearwater, Florida.

MARIO - How Do I Breathe (2007) Man, i love this song...anyone know when the album is coming out?

I hate cowboy hats.

One of my all time favs!! FORCE ONE NETWORK + 2PAC - Static (Ragamuffin Mix) Static (CD Single) (1997)

I agree. It makes half of your posts look really bottom-heavy. There's no excuse for crap like that. Get it 2gether. U make me freakin' sick. :arg: And Julie is right...it does look like a wrench! :damnlorettas:

At this point the accuracy doesn't bother me so much. Just hearing of the news and knowing people are talking about BB3 is cool. Even tho' they were saying they wanted 2 do BB3 while they were working BB2, i wouldn't expect it 2 come 2 quick. I doubt it'll take as long as it did for the 2nd one 2 get made.

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE - Lovestoned / I Think She Knows Interlude FutureSex/LoveSounds (2006) The video made me like Lovestoned more...tho' i alwasy liked the interlude

That's what i waz gonna say. My computer screen needed 2 be 4 times bigger to handle those signatures. Holla.

I got this from AOL News...for those that didn't know... ---------------------------- KRS-One's Son Commits Suicide Posted Jul 10th 2007 12:35PM by Melissa Olund Filed under: News Randy Parker Hubbard, stepson of rap luminary KRS-One, was found dead in his Atlanta home this weekend. The Fulton County medical examiner declared the cause of death a suicide. Hubbard, a graphic designer, was suffering from "severe depression" according to a statement released by his mother, and KRS-One's longtime partner, Simone Parker. The family expressed their thanks to concerned fans, saying, "Kris and Simone Parker send their sincere appreciation to everyone who has already responded to the tragic news." ------------------------------ I think it's important 2 keep his family in our prayers. Rest In Peace.

USHER - Can U Help Me 8701 (2001)

I can't believe i missed this post. I recently came across this myself and ordered it. I actually e-mailed Tim asking about it since the doctored Code Red pic and logo make it look real shady. Either way, i'm assuming i'll have it in a few days and i'll give a more indepth review of it. DJ JAZZY JEFF - LIVE FROM NOWHERE (CLASSIC 90'S MIX) Producers: N/A Label: Tube Records Release Date: 3/23/2007 Format: Mix CD Track Listing Song Title Audio 1. Notorious B.I.G. - 'Warning' - 2. Black Whoa - 'Whoa' - 3. Jay-Z - 'Lucifer' - 4. Mary J. Blige - 'I Can Love You ' - 5. Notorious B.I.G. - 'Ten Crack Commandments' - 6. Pharcyde - 'Passin' Me By' - 7. Gwen Mc Crae - 'Rockin' Chair, Blazhay Blazhay - 'Danger' - 8. Fugees - 'Fugee-Lah' - 9. Jeru The Damaja - 'Come Clean' - 10. Jeru The Damaja - 'The Bitches' - 11. Carl Thomas - 'Wish I Never Met Her ' - 12. Craig Mack - 'Flava In Ya Ear (Remix)' - 13. Nas - 'It Ain't Hard To Tell' - 14. Lady Of Rage - 'Afro Puffs' - 15. Rahzel - 'All I Know' - 16. De La Soul - 'Ooh' - 17. Flipmode Squad - 'Take That' - 18. The Roots - 'Love Of My Life' - 19. Das Efx - 'Hip Hop' - 20. Ol' Dirty Bastard - 'Brooklyn Zoo' - 21. Keith Murray - 'The Rhyme (Slum Village Remix)' - 22. Slum Village - 'The Look Of Love' - 23. The Roots - 'Dynamite' - 24. The Roots - 'Ain't Sayin' Nothin' New' - 25. A Tribe Called Quest - 'The Love' - 26. A Tribe Called Quest - 'Find A Way' - 27. Jay-Z - '99 Problems (Pete Rock Remix)' - 28. Pete Rock & Grand Agent - 'This Is What They Meant' - 29. Mobb Deep - 'Survival Of The Fittest' - 30. Notorious B.I.G. - 'I Got A Story To Tell' - 31. Notorious B.I.G. - 'Machine Gun Funk' - 32. KRS-One - 'Sound Of The Police (Interlude)' - 33. KRS-One - 'Black Cop' - 34. KRS-One - 'Outta Here' - 35. KRS-One - 'Step Into A World (Rapture's Delight)' - 36. Gang Starr - 'Dwyck' - 37. Gang Starr - 'Mass Appeal' - 38. Gang Starr - 'Code Of The Streets' - 39. Fugees - 'Nappy Heads (Remix)' - 40. Mantronix - 'Fresh Is The World (Interlude)' - 41. A Tribe Called Quest - 'Electric Relaxation' - 42. Das Efx - 'Jussummen (Pete Rock Remix)' - 43. Brand Nubians - 'Punks Jump Up To Get Beat Down' - 44. Tha Liks - 'Make Room' - 45. KRS-One - 'Return Of The Boom Bap' - 46. Cru - 'Just Another Case' - 47. Diamond D - 'Sally Got A One Track Mind' - 48. KRS-One - 'I Can't Wake Up' - 49. Organized Konfusion - 'Fudge Pudge'

CORINNE BAILEY RAE - Till It Happens To You (self-titled) (2006) I still love this album.

METHOD MAN + LEFT EYE - Cradle Rock Tical 2000: Judgement Day (1998)

I can't say i thought "Can't Tell Me Nothin'" waz good at all. The production sucks. It's not imaginative, thick, layered, or even very musical. The only thing i liked about it waz the vocal sample. Kanye's lyrics in that song are empty nothing...but the real crime is his flow. It's just awful. Everything about that song reminds me of something Puffy would do. Kanye's best song was "All Falls Down"...and since then, that's what the quality of his music has done.

I really liked him in Four Brothers and Baby Boy. I wanted 2 see Waist Deep but haven't yet. I'm more a fan of the music tho.' His most recent one may be a bit less focused than the other, but i think he's one of the top talents of R-N-B between the late 90's thru' now.

:shakehead: What are u talking about?!? I've been a fan of Tyrese since he first came out. Him giving FP props isn't gonna make me like him or suggest they do a song 2gether. If u could check the old Sony boards u'd see me putting Tyrese on a list of people i'd want him doing songs with YEARS ago. Stupid statement. :stupid:

USHER - Pop Ya Collar Pop Ya Collar Promo (2000) Man, i really wish the other trax that were intended 4 this album came out. 8701 waz so good. I'd love 2 hear the stuff done right before it waz reworked in2 that album.

I hate the title of the album. It's 2 tightly associated with JJ+FP. I feel he's tainting it by naming the album that. I'm just not cool with that. And like Tim, if Jazzy waz gonna collaborate with an emcee for a full album that wasn't the 'Prince, i'd list like 200 before Rhymefest. I'm not dissing Rhymefest. I think he is a stand out talent, not that other artists are making that hard. I got his album and thought it waz good but i honestly haven't listened 2 it since the 1st month i got it. I don't know, i just thought it waz average. Compared 2 what i saw on Nick Cannon's Wildin' Out, i just expected more of a personality from him. I'll give it another listen 2nite tho.' If i had a choice of emcees 2 work with for a full album, names like Pauly Yamz, CL Smooth, J-Live, Oddisee, Baby Blak, PMD, Rakim, LL Cool J, Chubb Rock, Black Eyed Peas, MC Lyte, Common Sense, Guru, etc would all come way before him. I respect he's droppin' more stuff and i'll be sure 2 peep it. I'll most likely support it 2 since it sounds like he's been growing since the 1st album. The TV show sounds schetchy tho.'

I haven't listened 2 that in AGES!! C-L-A-S-S-I-C-!

BUMP

Yeah, a reunion tour is also a safe way 2 test out what a future project would be like...a full tour, and album, etc. Take That got a lil' love from pop fans in the US during the 90's. If they can get that kind a success, i imagin the Spice Girls blowing all of that way. And yeah, i'd love 2 hear them on Top 40 radio again. With groups like Panic At The Disco and Fall Out Boy on the radio, i can't even rely on the hits of other genres to make me wanna give Top 40 a try.

KELLY ROWLAND - Flashback Ms. Kelly (2007)

Well, that's what most reunions are about. Just getting 2gether for a short bit...not 2 stay 2gether and busy. They all have individual things going on and i don't think they wanna get trapped in the same situation they were back in the mid/late 90's. When reunions happen, it's usually for 2 reasons...either the group does like working 2gether and wants 2 get 2gether 4 a bit and/or give back 2 the loyal fans....OR they are just broke and desperate for money. Their reason seems 2 be more of the 1st one. Reading all the stuff they were saying was hilarious and reminded me of how they handled interviews and press conferences back in the day. The picture of them all 2gether had them all smiles and close 2 each other. Very good acting if they are just in it for the money.

I'm not familiar with Freestyle Fellowship. With that being said, i've always thought Bone waz pretty creative. And when i say that, i'm speaking about more than just their vocal style. I need 2 school myself on FF tho.' When Bone 1st came out with the trippy vocal style, i just tied it 2 Das EFX's style. Their styles are different, but Das EFX really broke out the box with a crazy style. I don't know which group i like more.

I can't really say i care much for his stuff but when i'm music shopping 2morrow i'll give it a listen.