Pharrell Williams takes some time away from his ferosh new collaboration with Daft Punk and Nile Rodgers to interview his friend Usher Raymond. They discuss growing up, Michael Jackson and working with Sean Combs, among other things.
The full interview debuts soon on the YouTube series "Artist Talk." Watch a preview AFTER THE JUMP ...
R&B poptart Usher traded in the leather capris for a blond wig—with bangs and a severe bob!—and form-fitting suit during a surprise appearance as "Üsher" on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.
Watch the show's new "German political correspondent" dance as he "reports" on the presidential election AFTER THE JUMP ...
Continue reading "VIDEO: Usher Serves a Blond Wig, German Accent on "Jimmy Fallon"" »
In this week's celebrity sex tape news ...
An XXX videotape featuring R&B poptart Usher and ex-wife Tameka Foster is reportedly being auctioned, reports TMZ.
TMZ was approached several days ago by someone claiming to have the sex tape. The person sent us a short video and two photos. We'll keep this PG-13 and just say ... the people in the video are both givers. The video and photos are clear -- it's Usher and Tameka. Sources close to Usher—without specifically admitting the existence of a sex tape—tell us they believe this video could have been among the things Usher had stolen out of his car back in December 2009. Usher reported more than $1,000,000 worth of jewelry and electronics taken -- including two laptop computers.
Foster released a statement to YBF's Natasha and categorically denied releasing the video: "I am a mother and entrepreneur. Sex tapes or pornography would not be my lane. I have no desire to be seen in that way."
They're both givers. That's the most believable part of the story ...
This is major. Not only has Usher reportedly donated the substantial fee he received from Mutassim Gadhafi—the son of Col. Muammar Gadhafi and the Libyan national security adviser coordinating the bloody crackdown that has killed thousands—but he donated it to Amnesty International.
Usher said Friday he's "sincerely troubled" to learn he appeared at a concert in St. Bart's linked to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi's family and plans donate his concert fee to human rights organizations. Usher did not perform but was paid to appear at the private concert featuring Beyonce in 2009.
"I am sincerely troubled to learn about the circumstances surrounding the Nikki Beach St. Bart's event that took place on New Year's Eve 2009, " he said in a statement released to The Associated Press. "I will be donating all of my personal proceeds from that event to various human rights organizations."
The statement said Usher made a contribution Friday to Amnesty International, which the organization confirmed. The group said Usher requested the donation amount be private.
Earlier this week, Beyonce and Nelly Furtado renounced their performances at private concerts for the Gadhafi family. The Libyan leaders are responsible for the deaths of thousands of civilians in Libya, where entire cities and provinces are revolting against the dictatorship. The entertainers have promised to give their fees to charity or said they have already done so.
Gadhafi and his sons face investigation for war crimes.
Carey said she was unaware of whom she was performing for and "embarrassed." She announced she will donate royalties for the song "Save the Day," which she has written for her upcoming album, to charities that create awareness for human-rights issues.
You Should Read ...
Beyoncé Donated Gadhafi Millions to Haiti Relief
Furtado to Donate Gadhafi Money to Charity
WIKILEAKS: Beyonce, Usher, Mariah Performed for Gadhafi Son
Bravo to Team Beyonce. The pop icon reportedly donated the $2 million she received to perform for Mutassim Gadhafi—the son of Col. Muammar Gadhafi and the Libyan national security adviser coordinating the bloody crackdown that has killed thousands—to Haitian earthquake relief.
Beyonce gave the money away as soon as she learned of Mr Gaddafi's connection to the concert at a private party on the Caribbean island of St Barts on December 31, 2009, spokeswoman Yvette Noel-Schure said.
"All monies paid to Beyonce for her performance at a private party at Nikki Beach St Barts on New Year's Eve 2009... were donated to the earthquake relief efforts in Haiti over a year ago," she said. "Once it became known the third party promoter was linked to the (Gaddafi) family, the decision was made to put that payment to a good cause."
Earlier this week, singer/songwriter Nelly Furtado tweeted she is donating the $1 million she was paid for a private concert for Libya's Gadhafi family.
Excellent decisions by Furtado and Beyoncé, who obviously do not want their brands associated with the carnage in Libya. And continued silence from Usher, Mariah Carey, 50 Cent and others who were also paid millions to entertain the blood-thirsty Libyan leader ... responsible for ordering soldiers to spray unarmed civilian crowds with machine guns and helicopter and bomber strikes against civilian targets, among other atrocities.
Speak now or possibly be forced to testify in a war crimes trial. The International Criminal Court in The Hague announced today that it will investigate Gadhafi, his sons, key aides for crimes against humanity.
You Should Read ...
Furtado to Donate Qaddafi Money to Charity
WIKILEAKS: Beyonce, Usher, Mariah Performed for Qaddafi Son
UPDATE: Switzerland blocks all Gadhafi assets.
Beyoncé, Usher and Mariah Carey were paid millions to perform for Mutassim Gadhafi. The son of Col. Muammar Gadhafi and the Libyan national security adviser believed to be coordinating the bloody crackdown that has killed hundreds this week.
That according to confidential State Dept cables leaked by WikiLeaks and published by the New York Times. The intelligence describes the Gadhafi sons as ruthless, "hard-partying, womanizing" and obscenely extravagant, spending millions in petrodollars as the country starves and heads into a bloody civil war.
After New Year’s Day 2009, Western media reported that Seif al-Islam el-Qaddafi, a son of the Libyan leader Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi, had paid Mariah Carey $1 million to sing just four songs at a bash on the Caribbean island of St. Barts.
Seif indignantly denied the report — the big spender, he said, was his brother, Muatassim, Libya’s national security adviser, according to an American diplomatic cable from the capital, Tripoli. It was Muatassim, too, the cable said, who had demanded $1.2 billion in 2008 from the chairman of Libya’s national oil corporation, reportedly to establish his own militia. That would let him keep up with yet another brother, Khamis, commander of a special-forces group that "effectively serves as a regime protection unit." [...]
A year ago, a cable reported that proliferating scandals had sent the clan into a "tailspin" and “provided local observers with enough dirt for a Libyan soap opera." Muatassim had repeated his St. Barts New Year’s fest, this time hiring the pop singers Beyoncé and Usher. An unnamed "local political observer" in Tripoli told American diplomats that Muatassim’s "carousing and extravagance angered some locals, who viewed his activities as impious and embarrassing to the nation."
Beyoncé was reportedly paid $2 million for her private performance.
Days before the 2010 concert, another brother, Hannibal, fled London after being accused of brutally abusing his wife. Libyan diplomat advised the wife to tell "police that she had been hurt in an 'accident'," cables show.
Only two years before in 2008, Hannibal and his wife were arrested in Geneva for allegedly beating several servants at a luxury hotel. The Gadhafi were released two days later but the Libyan leader was "so enraged by his son's two-day detention" that he "had two Swiss businessmen arrested, cancelled most flights between the two states and withdrew about $5bn from his Swiss bank accounts," reports The Guardian.
Why should pop stars care if they're partying with dictators who order soldiers to spray crowds of unarmed people with machine guns? "They're getting paid," right?
Kanye West promotes France in new television commercial.
Wikileaks disclosures spark worldwide diplomatic crisis.
Massachusetts inmates sue prison over rules for HIV meds.
Black AIDS Institute CEO Phill Wilson share his thoughts on the importance of World AIDS Day, Wednesday December 1.
Also on World AIDS Day: Jennifer Hudson, Lady Gaga, Alicia Keys, Janelle Monae and others will sign off Twitter until they raise $1 million for Keep a Child Alive.
Condom prices rise as rains hit Southeast Asian rubber producing nations. "The cost of rubber climbed 65 percent over the past year, the Financial Times reported. Condomania, one of the largest specialty condom retailers in America, said condom prices jumped up to 20 percent in the past year and suppliers were warning of further increases."
Openly lesbian prosecutor brings down anti-gay Tom Delay.
Klimpton Hotels tops with gay travellers.
First lesbian couple to publicly come out in Botswana, where same-sex relations are punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
Why choose just one? Cuban twin bodybuilder brothers Omar and Jean by Kevin Slack.
Cast of Burlesque—Cher, Christina Aguilera and Cam Gigandet—speaks out on anti-gay bullying.
Ontario teacher accused of sexually assaulting, showing porn to students.
Former TN judge: Lesbians should be allowed to serve in the military "because straight male soldiers could 'convert' them."
And finally in the Ivory Coast: At least 2 are dead after polls close in presidential elections. The opposition party accuses the government of "voter intimidation, kidnapping and violence" but "millions of people voted largely without incident, reports the AP.
In today's R&B poptart news:
British boyband hotness JLS are either (a) tipsy (b) silly or (c) both after they video themselves performed a cheesy rendition of Usher's Can You Help Me. The final moments are the most colorful: Aston Merrygold drops to his knees and rips his shirt off for the final bars. Then he tells the camera "I need a girlfriend!" and walks away, jeans sagging and exposing tight Armani briefs and butt.
Of course you do, dear. You and Marvin both.
Watch the video—and their babysitter in the background—AFTER THE JUMP ...
So much for hip-hop swagger. Usher apparently was styled by the ballroom children during his performing at last night's All Star Game. Leather capri pants, spaghetti strap tank top, leg warmers and a Jean Paul Gaultier-inspired breastplate with sculpted pecs and abs. Madonna meets The Fifth Element .. with a twist, no?
And the children are talking. #Usher #AllStar was a trending topic overnight and this morning on Twitter. You do you, Ush. More images and watch the video AFTER THE JUMP ...
Continue reading "WATCH: Fierceness! Usher's Leather Capris at the NBA All Star Game!" »
R&B poptart Trey Songz performed at the sold out Philips Arena in Atlanta. Appearing with him onstage was Keri Hilson—oh and Usher, too, for those who still care about him—to serve the kids the fiyah remix to Trey’s "I Invented Sex." The track is dominating R&B charts and radio and has been Number #1 for two weeks in a row.
To illustrate his point about "inventing sex', Trey stripped down (surprise!) and Keri poured water over his abs. Hmm. Later, the two singers were this close, which only cranked up the rumor mill. Trey Songz was last seen doing Black Men, demonstrating his oral techniques and serving BQ sex siren realness. Perfect 10s for Trey and Keri (no hatin'). Usher...not so much. More photos and watch the strip show AFTER THE JUMP ...
Continue reading "WATCH: Trey Songz "Invents Sex", Strips Down, Water Poured on Him " »
