Jay-Z change clothes in his new Rhapsody commercial to promote his new album Blueprint III. Each scene recreates his past album covers artwork. I must say this is one of the most creative music ads I’ve ever seen. For more on the partnership with Jay-Z and Rhapsody read the press release below.
Jay-Z has teamed up with Rhapsody® and MTV to promote the highly-anticipated release of his new album, “The Blueprint 3.” As part of the partnership, the entire album will be available for fans to listen to for free on Rhapsody.com and from MTV’s “The Leak”, almost two weeks prior to its official release. In addition, Rhapsody will also make the new album available for purchase beginning September 8, three days ahead of the street release, and will include two exclusive bonus tracks.
Leading this partnership, three new Rhapsody TV spots will debut starting on September 1 across MTV Networks. In addition to two 30-second ads, Rhapsody will premiere a 60-second version of the ad in the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards on September 13.
According to Fashion Week Daily Gucci and Mary J. Blige are set to host a charity event during New York’s Fashion Week. In support of Mary J. Blige’s charity “The Foundation for the Advancement of Women Now” Gucci’s creative director Frida Giannini designed a limited edition black diamond bracelet timepiece that features a commemorative FFAWN engraving on the back of the rotating case. The watch will go on sale at Gucci’s flagship stores and several department stores on September 16th. Priced at $1,895 portion of the proceeds will go to Blige’s foundation.
Jay-Z held a press conference to announce “Answer the Call” charity concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City on September 11. The benefit concert hopes to raise $1 million for the New York Police and Fire Widows and Childrens Benefit Fund. Guests appearances he said, “it could be one, it could be 10,” adding that he’ll likely perform “anywhere between four to more” tracks from his upcoming album. Tickets go on sale on September 8th.
Nicki Minaj signs with Lil Wayne’s Young Money imprint becoming first lady on the label. Here is a statement from the official press release.
During the last two years Minaj has emerged as one of the premiere rappers, choosing to fore go earlier label offers in order to establish a stronger fan base by way of the internet, promotional touring and a series of mix tapes. After the release of “Playtime is Over” and “Sucker Free”, it was her third mix-tape, the critically acclaimed “Beam Me Up Scotty” with featured appearances from Lil Wayne, Gucci Mane, Busta Rhymes, Bobby Valentino and Drake that caught the attention of music industry heavy weights. Lil Wayne asserts, “I am honored to have Nicki Minaj as Young Money’s First Lady. She is a star”
In a “unique deal with Young Money/Universal”, rapper Nicki Minaj “retains and owns all of her 360 rights, including merchandising, sponsorships, endorsements, touring and publishing.”
Minaj’s debut album is anticipated to be released in early 2010 and will be distributed through Universal Motown. Minaj is currently appearing with Lil Wayne at sold-out arenas throughout the country on the America’s Most Wanted tour.
Chris Brown will be on CNN’s Larry King Live on September 2nd. Larry helps Chris bring clarity in the Rihanna assault case.
Chris Brown has admitted guilt and apologized for assaulting his then-girlfriend Rihanna in February, but he does not remember hitting the singer, he told CNN’s Larry King. Chris Brown release a statement towards that line by saying
There have been reports on the internet that I didn’t remember what happened that night with Rihanna. I want to try and set things straight.
That 30 seconds of the interview they used of me was taken from a one hour interview during which that same question was asked something like 4 or 5 times — and when you look at the entire interview you will see it is not representative of what I said.
The first four times – or how ever many times it was – I gave the same answer — which was that I didn’t think it was appropriate for me to talk about what happened that night. I said it was not right for me and it really wasn’t fair to Rihanna. The fifth time – or whatever it was – I just misspoke. I was asked, “Do you remember doing it?” and I said, “No.”
Of course I remember what happened. Several times during the interview, my mother said that I came to her right afterwards and told her everything. But it was and still is a blur. And yes, I still can’t believe it happened because it is not me or who I am or is what happened like anything I have ever done before.
As I have said several times previously, I am ashamed of and sorry for what happened that night and I wish I could relive that moment and change things, but I can’t. I take full responsibility for my actions. What I have to do now is to prove to the world that this was an isolated incident and that is not who I am and I intend to do so by my behavior now and in the future.
50 Cent with G-Unity charity bused children to a “Family Day” weekend at Six Flags Great Adventures in Jackson, New Jersey on August 29th. The rapper who plan to have his own Family Day in his old neighborhood had to postpone it due to the controversy surrounding it. 50 wasn’t able to obtain a permit from the city for the event.
The problem, according to 50, was that city officials didn’t want him to publicize the festivities, fearing an overly large turnout would be difficult to manage. But before he could assure Bloomberg that safety wouldn’t be a problem, the Post ran an article making the private negotiations public.
“They told me not to promote the event and then it got national coverage. Then the fear factor comes in,” 50 explained. “Can you control 100,000 people being in your neighborhood? ‘Cause you might not be sure of a turnout at an actual venue, but in the neighborhood, everyone is gonna show up.”
It would be easy to blame Bloomberg, 50 said, but ultimately, the mayor has to listen to his advisers. “He’s gonna look at the police commissioner and ask, ‘Is this gonna be a safe situation?’ ” 50 said. “And if they tell him no, then it’s not gonna happen.”
According to The Hollywood Report, Columbia Pictures are in works to develop a third installment of the “Bad Boys” franchise. The screenplay which is currently being done by Peter Craig will reunite director Michael Bay and actors Will Smith and Martin Lawrence. The only dilemma to this is the costly deals that each person would want to acquire from the movie.
In 1995 Bad Boys debut grossed $66 million domestically and $141 million worldwide, the sequel in 2003 grossed $138 million domestically and $273 million worldwide. All parties have expressed a willingness to return if a story can be develop.
I really like this franchise I just hope they continue to keep all original actors. I dislike it when franchises change the face of its main character I feel like the movie loses its value once that happens, example “Home Alone” after Macaulay Culkin was replaced I never cared to continue watching it, same with “House Party” when Kid and Play was replaced with Immature.
