Top Music Blog

According to the news, after a break of three years Pop/R&B celebrity Justin Timberlake is set to release his second solo album, FutureSex/LoveSounds, this autumn. The album which was produced by Jive Records, will hit the stores on September 11th in UK and in the US the day after, while the first single “Sexy Back” is due on July 7.

“FutureSex”/LoveSounds” which follows “Justified,” the blockbuster debut album of Justin, is a collection of love songs co-written and co-produced by former N’Sync partner Nate Hills and Justin Timberlake.

The Pop/R&B singer’s first solo album came with a desire of Justin to help him creat a more mature image and for that to happen the album featured guest performances of Pharrell Williams, Clipse, Bubba Sparxxx or Janet Jackson, bringing the star two Grammys. ‘FutureSex/LoveSounds’ is expected to raise a whole new Timberlake, a grown one that is why the singer hopes the new solo album will go higher than the first one.

According to the news, Tupac Shakur’s mother Afeni and the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation have announced the hip-hop icon Tupac Legacy Tour, which marks the 10th anniversary of the rapper’s death. The tour which will feature a line-up of top artists performing songs from the late rapper’s catalogue, will kick off in Los Angeles later this year.

The event will be sponsored by the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation and A+M Entertainment with Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts (TASCA) located in Stone Mountain, Georgia.

In other celebrity news, Tupac’s father Dr. Mutulu Shakur wants to release a album entitled A 2Pac Tribute: Dare 2 Struggle to commemorate the 35th birthday of his son, hip-hop icon Tupac - who was 25 years old when he was murdered in 1996 after attending a boxing match in Las Vegas, Nevada.

For those many of you who have expected Busta Rhymes 7th solo album named The Big Bang, you might want to know that it hit stores on June 14. After only days since the new album was released the reports stated that will debut at No.1 on Billboard’s Top 200 album chart next week.

Busta’ album, which will probable sell over 250,000 copies during its first week, features collaborations with Raekwon, Marsha Ambrosius of Floetry, Q-Tip, Missy Elliott and musical icons Stevie Wonder and the late Rick James.

Hip-Hop star Busta has attributed the album’s success to his new label, Aftermath/Interscope Records and in addition to Dr. Dre, the album ‘The Big Bang’ also features production by Timbaland, G-Unit’s Sha Money XL, will.I.am, Green Lantern, Jay Dilla and Swizz Beatz, who produced the album’s first single “Touch It,” which rocketed to No.1 on Billboard’s Hip-Hop/R&B Singles chart.

According to AllHipHop.com Busta’ second single, “I Love My Chick” featuring Kelis, will air later this month.

According to the news, celebrities like T.I., Busta Rhymes, Prince and Beyonce are just a few of many confirmed stars to perform at the 2006 BET Awards. This year’s awards will be hosted by actor and comedian Damon Wayans and will be aired live from Los Angeles’ Shrine Auditorium on June 27 at 8 pm est. The BET Awards event will start with a performance from R&B celebrity Beyonce debuting with her much expected new single “Déjà Vu,” featuring Jay-Z, while Prince will perform at the end of the show with a special surprising song.

Other celebrities who are announced to perform at the BET Awards are also Jamie Foxx, Ne-Yo, Chris Brown, Keyshia Cole, Lil’ Wayne and Mary J. Blige. Meanwhile check out this year BET Awards nominations.

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), along with Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association (CTIA) and Billboard announced a new Gold and Platinum Award, recognizing sales of mobile ring tones. It has been honored 128 songs as the first gold and platinum ring tones. The Gold is awarded to the ringtones wirh 500,000 downloads, Platinum is reserved for 1 million downloads and Multi- platinum is starting at 2 million.

The ringtone which achieved multi-platinum status are T-Pain’s “I’m N Luv (Wit a Stripper),” D4L’s “Laffy Taffy,” Black Eyed Peas’ “My Humps,” and Chamillionaire’s “Ridin’”, while Sparxxx catch the ringtone phenomenon.

Among 84 Gold Master Ringtone Sales Awards were Mariah Carey’s “Always Be My Baby,” the Beastie Boys’ “Brass Monkey,” Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” and Britney Spears’ “Toxic,” while among the 40 Platinum honorees were Gwen Stefani’s “Hollaback Girl,” Snoop Dogg’s “Drop It Like It’s Hot,” Nelly’s “Grillz” and Mary J. Blige’s “Be Without You.”

Our Gold and Platinum Program is designed to honor artists who have achieved the highest success,” As our industry evolves and offers fans new ways to enjoy music from today’s best artists, so too should the G&P Program. The music community, along with its technology partners like the wireless communications companies, is offering fans the music they love, when they want it and how they want it.
- said in a press statment Mitch Bainwol, chairman and CEO of the RIAA -