The Grammys have appointed LL Cool J to be the ceremony’s first official host in seven years.
The star, whose hits include Mama Said Knock You Out and I Need Love, will follow in the footsteps Ellen DeGeneres and Queen Latifah.
In recent years, the position of “official” host has been replaced by a string of guest presenters.
Kanye West, Adele and Taylor Swift are among the acts expected to win awards at the event on 12 February.
“I’m thrilled to be part of music’s biggest night,” said LL Cool J, whose real name is James Todd Smith.
“I will always have fond memories of my first Grammy Awards and to now be hosting the Grammy show… is a dream come true.”
Performers at the ceremony have already been announced, and will include Bruno Mars, Foo Fighters, Nicki Minaj and Lady Gaga – who will open and close the show.
President Obama has taken a stance against SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act), a bill that would allow the justice department to force Internet providers and search engines to block all sites accused of copyright infringement.
For now, it appears that President Obama has stalled the controversial legislation. Read the details according to Forbes.com:
“The growing anti-SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) support that has swept through the gaming and Internet community found a very big ally today. With websites like Reddit and Wikipedia and gaming organizations like Major League Gaming prepared for a blackout on January 18th – the same day that the House Judiciary Committee hearing on HR 3261was scheduled in Washington, D.C. – President Barack Obama has stepped in and said he would not support the bill.
SOPA has been delayed, for now. The House has agreed to revisit the issue next month, but they now know the White House will veto any bill that’s not more narrowly focused.
Much to the chagrin of Hollywood, the Entertainment Software Association (which has been a backer of the bill from early on), and Internet domain company GoDaddy.com (which lost many accounts as a result of its support for the bill); SOPA has been shelved. The Motion Picture Association of America, one of the bill’s largest sponsors, is expected to regroup.”
“X Factor” contestant Astro is blasting off into the next phase of his career. The 15-year-old hip-hop sensation has inked a deal with Epic Records.
The Brooklyn-born MC, born Brian Bradley, will unite with his mentor L.A. Reid at Epic, where he will join his fellow “X Factor” alum including Chris Rene, Marcus Canty, and winner Melanie Amaro.
Astro captivated the attention of America following his 10-week run on Simon Cowell’s singing competition. As the only contestant to write new material each week, Astro thrilled with his versions of Eminem’s“Lose Yourself,” Naughty by Nature’s “Hip Hop Hooray,” and Missy Elliott’s “Get Ur Freak On.”
“I’m excited to continue my journey with L.A. Reid and his staff at the new Epic Records,” said Astro, also known as the Astronomical Kid. “The first time L.A. saw me he said I’d be a star, and I can’t wait to get to work and prove him right. 2011 was Dope, but 2012 is gonna be Epic!”
Although he’s been rapping since the age of 10, Astro first burst onto the scene a few years ago with his original song “Stop Looking at My Mom,” which became a viral sensation.
Over the years, Beyoncé Knowles has amassed numerous honors in the world of music. Now the chart-topping vocalist can add another, as her name has been given to a previously un-named species of horsefly.
According to csironewsblog.com, the horse fly’s golden lower abdomen prompted Australian National Insect Collection researcher/ Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) scientist Bryan Lessard to officially “describe” the fly as Scaptia (Plinthina) beyonceae.
“It was the unique dense golden hairs on the fly’s abdomen that led me to name this fly in honour of the performer Beyoncé as well as giving me the chance to demonstrate the fun side of taxonomy – the naming of species,” Lessard said.
Sharing a name isn’t the only thing Knowles has in common with the horse fly. The site reports that the Scaptia (Plinthina) beyonceae, a rare species, was collected in 1981, the same year Beyoncé was born, from north-east Queensland’s Atherton Tablelands, together with two other previously unknown specimens.
Beyoncé’s inclusion in the insect world follows recent news surrounding her new daughter, Blue Ivy Carter. TMZ states that several weed dispensaries in Hollywood are selling a new strain of marijuana called “OG Blue Ivy.” At this time, Beyoncé and her husband, Jay-Z, have not issued a legal notice to the dispensaries regarding this situation.
Check out these Prada “Rocket Shoes” from their Spring 2012 collection, no racing necessary! The details on this shoe are genius! Check out some more of the futuristic designs. Ladies are you feeling them??
Dsquared2 brings the zoot suit wearing style of the jazz era into the year 2012 with these Leather Wingtip Sneakers retailing at $504. They feature black calf leather with contrasting white calf leather on the toe cap and back, wingtip and brogue stitching with perforations, and brown leather trim on the midsole.
A week after giving birth to Blue Ivy Carter, Beyoncé is enjoying motherhood. She got a visit from her friends Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams who say their fellow Destiny’s Child diva is a natural in her new role.
“She was born to be a mother,” Kelly Rowland told PEOPLE at Saturday’s taping of BET Honors in Washington, D.C. “She’s wonderful.”
Michelle Williams also praised her DC sister. “She has such compassion for people and humanity, period,” said Williams, adding that B and Jay-Z’s daughter is already one of the most stylish babies she’s seen.
But she didn’t expect the busy B to become the first mom of the group. “We were very shocked. We were laughing with each other the other day and she was like, ‘Can y’all believe it? I was the anti—like no children for me,’ and she’s the first one [of us to have a baby],” shared Williams. “So it was so amazing to see her.”
Brandy and Monica’s fans will get to hear the divas’ new duet sooner than expected. Their first collaboration in 14 years will be released next month.
RCA Records has announced a February 6 release date for the singers’ new single, “It All Belongs to Me.” Written and produced by Rico Love, the poignant song reunites the women for the first time since they topped the charts in 1998 with “The Boy Is Mine.”
The newly-minted record picks up where the original left off. “It’s a very soulful R&B song with pop sensibilities,” Rico Love stated in an interview. “I wanted to make sure I made it a classic R&B record, but I definitely wanted to make sure that it had enough appeal to cross over and become a Top 40 record.”
“The Boy Is Mine” held the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for 13 weeks, won a Grammy for R&B Performance by a Duo or Group, and was declared the best-selling song of 1998.
“It All Belongs to Me” will appear on Monica’s upcoming albumNew Life, due March 6, and Brandy’s as-yet-untitled RCA/Chameleon Records debut, coming later this spring.
Teyana Taylor is spreading her wings and forging ahead with her career. The Harlem-born singer has officially been released from her contract with Star Trak/Intercope Records and is already working on a free EP.
“I officially got my release from Star Trak/Interscope. I’ve been signed with them for six years,” Teyana announced to DJ Skee.
During her time on Pharrell’s label, the “Super Sweet 16” star was plagued by label politics, preventing her from releasing music or videos. “I was signed for six years and there’s a lot of stuff that comes with the industry,” she said.
The 21-year-old, who appeared on Kanye West’s album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy and toured with Game, addressed critics who questioned what she was famous for. “They see the glory, but don’t know the story. When there’s not music being put out or you’re not moving, they automatically blame it on you, like, you’re not doing anything. What do you do, not knowing the politics of the music industry.”
However, the relationship with her former label ended on good terms. “Everybody bowed out gracefully. There was no beef. I love Interscope, I love Star Trak. It’s always love for Pharrell; that’s my big brother. Now it’s time for me to go from a caterpillar to a butterfly. I had to fly away from the nest and venture out on my own.”
Teyana is currently a free agent and is speaking with other labels. But first, she’s giving her patient fans the music they’ve been waiting on for years. “Now that I’m independent right now, I get to make music and finally create an EP and give the supporters and the fans free music.”
The EP will drop on February 29 led by the single “Make Your Move” with Wale. A second single, “DUI” featuring Jadakiss, will arrive on February 14. Good Luck Teyana!!!
Rihanna has been spotted over the past few days puffing on a suspicious looking cigarette to some during her Hawaiian holiday. But I’m sure all the “420” heads know exactly what is going on!!!
And yesterday Rihanna appeared to clear up exactly what she has been smoking by quoting some lyrics from rapper Drake’s song Up All Night on her Twitter page.
She wrote: ‘Kush rolled, glass full… I prefer the better things.
Dre Black So Fresh 