Talk about music to your ears! Not only are private power couple Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz engaged to be married, they are having a baby.
The announcement comes after the two, together since fall 2008, attended Thursday night’s Black Ball in London, which benefits Keys’s Keep a Child Alive charity.
“They’re very happy,” says a friend of the couple, while reps confirm to PEOPLE the nuptials will take place “in a private ceremony later this year.”
Rapper Swizz Beatz (real name: Kasseem Dean), 31, has produced music for Keys, 29, and worked with artists including Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez and Gwen Stefani.
It will be the first marriage for Grammy-winner Keys – and their first child together. Swizz Beatz is father to Kasseem Jr., 3, and son Prince Nasir, 9, both from previous relationships.
SALT LAKE CITY — Former child TV star Gary Coleman died Friday at a Utah hospital after suffering an intracranial hemorrhage at his home. He was 42 years old.
Coleman suffered the hemorrhage Wednesday at his Santaquin home, 55 miles south of Salt Lake City. He was admitted to the Utah Valley Regional Medical Center and was conscious and lucid until midday Thursday, when his condition worsened and he slipped into unconsciousness. Coleman was then placed on life support.
Coleman has had continuing ill health from a kidney disease he suffered as a child. He had at least two kidney transplants and has ongoing dialysis.
An ambulance was called to Coleman’s home Wednesday, and he was initially transported to Mountain View Hospital in Payson, the nearest medical facility, said Dennis Howard, Santaquin’s director of public safety.
The family statement says Coleman was later moved to the regional medical center in Provo for additional tests and treatment.
The hospital did not give details on Coleman’s condition beyond calling it an intracranial hemorrhage, which is bleeding inside the head.
However, Coleman’s brother-in-law told TMZ that the actor sustained a head injury during a fall. His father-in-law, Dale Price, also told UsMagazine.com that Coleman fell.
Dr. Jennifer Majersik, a stroke specialist and assistant professor of neurology at the University of Utah, said intracranial hemorrhages can be broken vessels within the brain itself or next to it. Majersik, who is not involved in Coleman’s treatment and is unfamiliar with the case, said the most serious types involve a broken vessel inside the brain.
Hemorrhaging can also occur on the surface of the brain or in the protective layers between the brain and the skull, Majersik said.
The U.S. Department of Justice has been making a few calls to record labels to ask some pointed questions about iTunes.
According to several reports, the DoJ’s antitrust division has reached out to Universal, Sony, Warner Bros, EMI and several music services that compete with iTunes, such as eMusic. Feds have been asking preliminary questions about Apple’s pricing and competition, particularly with regard to Amazon’s music store.
There are some concerns that Apple may be unfairly manipulating certain companies into not working with Amazon. Not long ago, Apple removed certain featured items from iTunes when the parent company selling them defected to Amazon for other promotions, namely Amazon’s “Deal of the Day.”
Apple has just surpassed Microsoft in market capitalization; is it time for Apple to come under intense scrutiny and an antitrust investigation for one of its leading products, the way Microsoft did for Internet Explorer back in the Dark Ages? Let us know what you think.
Los Angeles, California (CNN) — There were no signs of foul play or criminal activity in the death of the widower of actress Brittany Murphy, Los Angeles Police Sgt. Alex Ortiz said.
British screenwriter Simon Monjack was found dead Sunday night at his Hollywood home, according to the Los Angeles County coroner’s office.
Murphy, his wife of less than three years, died five months ago.
Monjack, 39, was pronounced dead after the Los Angeles Fire Department was called to the home for a medical emergency, according to police. Brittany’s mother, Sharon Murphy, reportedly lived in the home with Monjack.
Murphy, 32, died in December from a combination of pneumonia, an iron deficiency and multiple drug intoxication, a coroner said. The drugs involved were legal and used to treat a respiratory infection, according to an autopsy.
The often bubbly, free-spirited actress appeared in films such as “Clueless,” “8 Mile,” “Don’t Say a Word” and “Girl, Interrupted.”
She also lent her voice to animated works, including the movie “Happy Feet” — in which she also sang — and a regular role on the animated TV series “King of the Hill.”
Monjack and Murphy were married in May 2007. The couple had no children.
Wondaland Arts Society/Bad Boy recording artist Janelle Monáe has slated a busy schedule surrounding today’s release of her eagerly awaited debut album. “The ArchAndroid” is available now in stores and at all DSPs.
The album includes the acclaimed first single, “Tightrope (Feat. Big Boi),” which was hailed by Pitchfork as “a star performance all around” in its 9-out-of-10-rated review. The track’s companion video – directed by Wendy Morgan (Gnarls Barkley, Bloc Party) – recently premiered across a range of MTV platforms, including MTV.com, mtvU, MTV Hits, MTV Jams, and VH1 Soul. In addition, “Tightrope” debuted as a “New Joint of the Day” on a recent installment of BET’s 106 & Park.
Monáe is slated for a variety of live dates and TV appearances surrounding the release of “The ArchAndroid.” She will make her national TV debut with a performance on tonight’s installment of CBS’ Late Show with David Letterman, followed by visits to the nationally syndicated Ellen DeGeneres Show on Wednesday, May 26th and NBC’s Last Call with Carson Daly on Friday, May 28th (check local listings). Furthermore, Janelle is set to appear on imminent episodes of both TBS’Lopez Tonight and BET’s The Mo’Nique Show.
Janelle will also be joining Erykah Badu on her upcoming spring tour, kicking off Friday, May 28th at Washington DC’s Constitution Hall, and then traveling the US through late June (see attached itinerary). What’s more, Monáe – who has previously toured with No Doubt, Paramore, and Raphael Saadiq – will be among the stars appearing at this summer’s much anticipated 2010 Lilith Tour, joining a star-studded array of female artists that includes Sarah MacLachlan, Norah Jones, Mary J. Blige, Loretta Lynn, Tegan & Sara, Sara Bareilles, Colbie Caillat, and many others. Janelle will appear on the trek’s two North Carolina stops, slated for Wednesday, August 4th at Raleigh’s Time Warner Cable Pavilion and Friday, August 6th at Charlotte’s Verizon Wireless Amphitheater.
A charismatic and unique performer, Monáe has received critical acclamation in recent weeks for her extraordinary live shows. “To witness Janelle Monáe is to see not a star in the making,” hailed the Washington Post, “but one who is fully formed and rocketing across the sky on her own fuel.” “With creativity to burn, she’s proven to be both an exhilarating performer and an immaculate sonic architect,” noted the Philadelphia Inquirer, while the LA Weekly affirmed “Janelle reigns supreme as pomped-out alien queen, belting some curious combination of straight-up funk and futuristic dancepunk.” “It’s like seeing the Boss play the Main Point in the ‘70s or listening to Aretha Franklin right after she signed with Atlantic,” declared the Philadelphia City Paper, adding, “Mark my words, Monáe’s gonna hit it huge.”
“The ArchAndroid” has also drawn rapturous early reviews, with Paste hailing the album as “a fully immersive, theatrical experience. It’s a near-perfect R&B album; hell, it; a fantastic hip-hop, psychedelic, neo-soul, dance and orchestral album too.” Spin awarded the album 4-and-a-half (out of 5) stars, praising Janelle for “(boasting) so much shape-shifting talent that she had to invent an android persona just to begin to accommodate it.” The Associated Press called “The ArchAndroid” a “near classic” debut album that “delivers something extraordinary, different and heroic.”
Furthermore, “Tightrope” has been praised as one of 2010’s finest singles, including this out-and-out rave in Billboard: “To say that Janelle Monáe merges R&B, funk and rock ’n’ roll isn’t enough – she’s simply ahead of her time…’Tightrope’ is a genre-blasting, cinematic fantasy that finds the Atlanta artist seesawing between retro and futuristic and remaining fearless throughout.”
Currently starring on the covers of both Honey and Creative Loafing, Monáe is slated to receive a massive amount of press love in the coming weeks. Profiles and features have run or are set to run in such national publications as Vogue, InStyle, Rolling Stone, Teen Vogue, Vibe, Essence, Nylon, Spin, XXL, YRB, and Bleu.
In addition, MySpace Music recently presented the online world premiere of “The ArchAndroid” as part of “Introducing…,” a new program aimed at helping to establish and break new artists through a combination of key promotional opportunities both online and offline. For more information, please visitwww.myspace.com/music/introducing.
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“The ArchAndroid” is an “EMOTION PICTURE” brought to you by Janelle Monáe and the Mad Minds of the Wondaland Arts Society. The star-studded featured cast includes the legendary Big Boi of OutKast, renowned poet Saul Williams, psychedelic dance-punk troupe Of Montreal, punk prophets Deep Cotton, and the Emory Symphony Orchestra.
The album was recorded at Wondaland Studios in Atlanta, but written all over the world, including but not limited to Moscow, Prague, Istanbul, Berlin, Amsterdam, New York, and the Palace of the Dogs. “The ArchAndroid” was inspired not only by the energy of these places, but by such revolutionary musicians and artistic visionaries as Salvador Dalí, Walt Disney, OutKast, Stevie Wonder, Octavia Butler, David Bowie, Andy Warhol, and John Williams. The album was Executive Produced by Nate Wonder, Chuck Lightning, Janelle Monáe, and Sean “Diddy” Combs, with Co-Executive Production from Big Boi of OutKast.
A ground-breaking, genre-blurring singer, songwriter, producer, and performer, Monáe’s inventive style melds a refined pop sensibility with an extraordinary postmodern mash-up of soul, funk, and rock ‘n’ roll. Like Sly Stone, Prince, and OutKast, Monáe proves that innovative music can jam, while simultaneously inventing new concepts and sounds. “The ArchAndroid” follows the Grammy Award-nominated artist’s two acclaimed EPs, 2008’s “METROPOLIS: THE CHASE SUITE (SPECIAL EDITION)” and “METROPOLIS: SUITE I OF IV,” both of which received extensive critical praise upon their initial releases.
Janelle Monáe is a true 21st Century musical phenomenon, earning widespread acclamation for her compelling cybersoul sound. The Atlanta-based artist – who first garnered national attention for her collaborations with Big Boi on OutKast’s “IDLEWILD” – has been profiled a wide range of national publications, including Vogue,GQ, SPIN, Nylon, PAPER, Essence, and the New York Times.
“A very different kind of diva,” declared Vogue. “Monáe creates this futuristic world of hers by synthesizing past inspirations: the operatic pop and hornlike sharpness of Shirley Bassey, the energetic funk of James Brown, and the breezy rock and soul of OutKast,” said Creative Loafing. “‘It’s been awhile since I felt so fully enraptured and bemused and awed as I did when she was on stage,” proclaimed Paste, while Vibe noted “Monáe’s upcoming album is poised to bring an eclectic, urbane feel to today’s R&B.” “Janelle Monáe is honing her completely individual skills as a very exciting solo artist,” said the UK’s Blag, “not only in sound but very much in style.”
Monáe has also drawn accolades from fellow artists across the musical spectrum. “What I love about Janelle is that she has a magical ability to bring folks together,” says Big Boi, while his partner in OutKast, Andre “3000” Benjamin declares, “Ms. Monáe has one of the most enchanting voices of our generation. She’s a living, singing babydoll. Darling… just darling. Ha.”
Prince hails Janelle, saying, “She is so smart.” “Janelle Monáe is one of the most important signings of my career,” proclaims Sean “Diddy” Combs. “She is a true visionary, with an original sound and a mesmerizing presence. I can’t wait to watch the future unfold for Janelle.”
She’s not your everyday girl on the scene. With a wealth of real-life experiences as her muse and an unforgettable voice as her means, up-and-coming singer/songwriter Wynter Gordon (also known as simply Wynter)is a formidable new talent. Having penned hits for artists like Mary J. Blige and Jennifer Lopez, she’s ready for her turn to step into the starring role.
The sound of her debut album—an innovative pop hybrid that drops full-throttle onto the dance floor—is warmed by an unexpected dose of sincerity. Inspired by her tumultuous early years, Wynter’s lyrics invite a deep connection.
“I grew up in South Jamaica Queens, in a two-room house with my mother and six brothers and sisters,” Wynter describes. Her childhood was difficult, shaped by poverty and an abusive and largely absent father. “My only escape was art,” she remembers. Wynter discovered her talent for singing and dance at an early age. As a teenager, she was accepted to the famous LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts (known as the Fame school). There she was nurtured in a welcoming and nonjudgmental environment. “You could really be yourself and focus on your talent,” remembers Wynter. She also enjoyed opportunities such as performing at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the World Trade Center 911 Memorial.
After high school, when most of her peers were off to college, Wynter threw herself fully into realizing her music dreams, even as she dealt with surviving on her own for the first time. She juggled several jobs while working in the studio at night. It was some time before she landed her first big break: penning “The Breakthrough” for Mary J. Blige. The legendary singer was so moved by the song, she named her 2005 album after it, a vote of confidence that Wynter still remembers with awe. “My whole life, I’ve been the underdog, and it’s just magic.”
Still, as Wynter readies to release her debut, she’s remarkably relaxed about sharing her story with the world. Many of the songs on the album feature lyrics that reveal the struggles Wynter viewed first-hand growing up, both in her community and in her own life. “I want young people to learn from my mistakes,” she explains. “Anybody who is in the spotlight is a potential role model. Somebody might have come from where I’ve come from, and they should know that there is something better. It’s hard, but you don’t have to give up.”
With that attitude, even the dance hits on her upcoming album reveal themselves as something deeper with one listen to Wynter’s lyrics. She’s collaborated extensively with producer D’Mile, and together the pair has crafted an energetic, sexy sound, while also creating a space for Wynter to delve into some of the tougher questions in life. Often, inspiration will come directly from a real-life experience, or a conversation in the studio will transform into a song.
“Wynter always has input in all her songs,” says D’mile. “She is one of the few people who writes and arranges her own material.” He adds, “She is a strong girl who can overcome obstacles in her life, whether it’s personal or within the industry. She has confidence in everything she does.”
The collection of songs on the album has contributed to a refreshingly modern sound. A sassy, hard-hitting dance track will meld into a confident, soaring ballad, together revealing the many sides to one young woman’s story. All the while, Wynter’s honeyed vocals fearlessly delve into everything from heartache to the artist’s struggle. “I don’t want to be just another pretty singer,” says Wynter. “I want people to see me as a human being who has been through things just like everyone else. I’m still searching.”
Fierce, vibrant, and free, Wynter is an artist who has been through a lot at a remarkably young age, and is willing to tell the tale. “Music is my only release,” says Wynter. “A lot of my songs are so personal, but it’s exactly what I want to say.” Poised to open up to the world, she reveals the true motivation behind her brave, outspoken lyrics:
“Music is my passion and my life, but it is also a door to do something else. It is an opportunity to raise awareness and actually help people, and that’s where I want to go.”
Wynter’s current single “Dirty Talk” (featuring David Guetta, produced by Wynter and Jupiter Ace) is simply a sizzling preview to what’s up next.
