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 Chris Brown performs at his Benefit Concert  Keri Hilson takes a picture backstage
Chris Brown hosted Virginia Stand Up! A Call to Action at the Siegel Center on May 15. Performers included Keri Hilson, Trey Songz, T-Pain, Ryan Leslie, Mario and Juelz Santana.
Proceeds from Virginia Stand Up! A Call to Action went to The Central Virginia Food Bank and The American Red Cross to support their continued relief efforts in Haiti and their local outreach in the Richmond community.
Here are some of the pictures from the event:
Click For MORE Pics From Virginia Stand Up! A Call to Action
 Share on Facebook ·  Bookmark on Delicious | Posted by newsngossip
| Fri, September 25, 2009 at 8:59 AM |
 After hitching his wagon to Timbaland and later to Lil Wayne, Omarion has decided to venture out on his own with a new imprint deal through EMI Label Services.
The former B2K frontman announced Thursday (September 24) that he signed a new deal with EMI to create his own imprint StarWorld Entertainment. Through the pact, the Los Angeles native will release his next project, Ollusion, due November 24. Just last month, Omarion united forces with Lil Wayne and joined the rapper's Young Money roster. However, shortly after the news broke, the singer mysteriously parted ways with the camp.
"I have a lot of respect and admiration for the genius of Lil Wayne and the entire Young Money family," he said in a statement. "I asked to be released from the label to pursue other opportunities that were recently presented to me. Because of our relationship, Lil Wayne had no issue with us ending our business relationship and released me from the label."
Prior to linking with Lil Wayne, O partnered with Timbaland in 2008, but the union didn't result in any material being released through the producer's Mosley Music Group.
Omarion will now ready his third solo album, which will feature collaborations from Tank, Fabolous and Gucci Mane on the first single, "I Get It In," set to debut October 5.
"My style has evolved so much...More OMARION | Posted by newsngossip
| Sun, September 13, 2009 at 1:22 AM |
 NEW YORK â€" You know it's a going to be a good night when a big, thuggish-looking man with a scar going down half his face comes into the party singing Rihanna's chorus to "Run This Town."
Now imagine being at that same party and the DJ announces that Rihanna is actually in the building. Too crazy. Thursday night in New York City, if you weren't rehearsing for the MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall, or part of Raekwon's CD-release show at S.O.B.'s, then you had to be at the M2 Ultra Lounge.
Rihanna, Katy Perry, Devyne Stephens, DJ Clue, newcomers Jay Fresh Kicks and Jeremih, Keri Hilson, Bad Boy artist Janelle Monáe, Outkast's Big Boi, the legendary Bootsy Collins, Sammie, Goodie Mob members Cee-Lo and Big Gipp, producers Danja, Jim Jonsin and Bryan-Michael Cox, model Tyson Beckford and others attended the Hennessy Black-sponsored event that doubled as the BMI Awards afterparty.
DJ Mick Boogie spun, mixing Young Money's "Every Girl" with Gucci Mane-featuring cuts such as the "Obsessed" remix and "Make Tha Trap Say Aye."
Polow Da Don took over the mic in the DJ booth for a short time, letting Mario and famed songwriter Sean Garrett perform their club smash "Break Up." Mario started off rapping Gucci Mane's part: "Now baby girl had dumped me/ She no longer wants me/ I'm no longer hired, she said that I've been fired/ On to the next one, more fish in the sea/ Girls are like buses, miss one, next 15, one comin'."
The singer then held down his own part of...More BMI Awards | Posted by newsngossip
| Tue, September 01, 2009 at 8:12 AM |
Nashville, TN - Drawing from the top echelon of recording artists and music industry executives, the International Songwriting Competition (ISC) has assembled its most impressive group of judges in its history. ISC's prestigious judges select all winners, offering an unprecedented opportunity for aspiring songwriters and musicians to have their songs heard by a panel of iconic, influential artists and industry decision-makers.
One of the largest and most respected songwriting competitions in the world, ISC gives away over $150,000 in cash and prizes to 65 winners (including a $25,000 cash Grand Prize, the largest cash Grand Prize of any songwriting competition). Amateur and professional songwriters and musicians are invited to enter their songs. The deadline is quickly approaching, so enter now!
Go to SongwritingCompetition.com to enter songs through the mail or online.
The complete list of 2009 ISC judges include:
Recording Artists:
Kings of Leon; Rob Thomas (Matchbox 20); Tom Waits; Jeff Beck; Timbaland; Steve Winwood; Wynonna; Journey; Adele; Robbie Williams; Loretta Lynn; Jerry Lee Lewis; McCoy Tyner; Craig Morgan; James Mercer (The Shins); Darryl McDaniels (Run DMC); Michael W. Smith; Gary Lightbody (Snow Patrol); Chris Hillman (The Byrds); James Cotton; John Scofield; Black Francis (The Pixies); Alejandro Sanz; Toots Hibbert (Toots & The Maytals); Robert Earl Keen; Matt Thiessen (Relient K); Youssou N'Dour; John Mayall; Ray Wylie Hubbard; DJ Tiësto; "Weird Al" Yankovic; Sasha; John Digweed; Jeffrey Steele; Baaba Maal; Jeremy Camp; Mario; and Sandra Bernhard
Industry Executives:
Seymour Stein (Chairman/CEO, Sire Records); Amanda Ghost (President, Epic Records); Monte Lipman (President/CEO, Universal Republic Records); Ric Arboit (President, Nettwerk Music Group); (Amy Doyle (Sr. VP of Music and Talent, MTV); Kim Buie (VP of A&R, Lost Highway); Mitchell Cohen (VP of A&R, Verve Music Group); Brian Malouf (VP of A&R, Walt Disney Records); Rick Krim (Executive VP, Talent & Music Programming, VH1); Lisa Ramsey Perkins (Sr. Director of A&R, Sony Records Nashville); Bruce Iglauer (Founder/President, Alligator Records); Dan Storper (President, Putumayo World Music); Steve Lillywhite (Producer - credits include U2, The Rolling Stones, Morrissey, Peter Gabriel, and more); Angel Carrasco (Sr. VP of A&R, Latin America Sony BMG and President, Discos 605); Douglas C. Cohn (Sr. VP, Music Marketing & Talent, Nickelodeon); Cory Robbins (Founder/President, Robbins Entertainment); and Dr. Demento (Radio Host of The Dr. Demento Show)
ISC offers a total of 21 categories, including: Pop/Top 40, Rock, Country, R&B/Hip-Hop, AAA (Adult Album Alternative), Folk/Singer-Songwriter, Adult Contemporary (AC), Gospel/Christian; Americana, Blues, Jazz, Latin Music, Instrumental, Dance/Electronica, Comedy/Novelty, World Music, Children's Music, Lyrics Only, Teen, Performance, and Music Video.
Artists may submit as many songs as desired in each category or enter the same song in more than one category. Entries are accepted online or by mail. For more information or to enter ISC, please visit SongwritingCompetition.com.
ISC Sponsors: Gibson, ASCAP, Berklee College Of Music, Disc Makers, D'Addario, Shure, Thayers, George Stein, Esq., Onlinegigs, SongU.com, The Music Business Registry, Tanager AudioWorks, musicSubmit, JamHub, Shari's Berries, Independent Mastering, Indie Venue Bible, iDesign, Taxi, Sonicbids, and Alphabet Arm Design
For more information, contact ISC at 615.251.4441  Omarion released an official statement on Friday (August 21) regarding his parting of ways with Lil Wayne's Young Money label earlier this week. The statement reiterates the singer's Twitter post on Wednesday, dispelling rumors that he'd been dropped.
"I have a lot of respect and admiration for the genius of Lil Wayne and the entire Young Money family," he said. "I asked to be released from the label to pursue other opportunities that were recently presented to me. Because of our relationship, Lil Wayne had no issue with us ending our business relationship and released me from the label. Lil Wayne and I have nothing but love for each other, there is no beef. I also wanted to make it clear that my company nor did I, leak the song, 'I Get It In,' and I want to dispel any rumors that have surfaced. I appreciate my relationship with Young Money/ Cash Money and look forward to doing business in the future.
"There will be a major announcement regarding my career and my new album, Ollusion, coming next week," the statement promises.
Young Money member Mack Maine broke the news of Omarion's departure on his Twitter page Wednesday night, writing, "ATTN: Omarion is no longer Young Money ... the song they leaked...More OMARION  Bow Wow took to UStream and Twitter on Sunday night to make the big announcement he'd been teasing his fans with for some time: "It's official, I'm a Cash Money Millionaire," he told his thousands of viewers and followers.
The rapper had parted ways with his longtime label, Columbia Records, earlier this year. In previous Twitter dispatches, he explained he was deciding between two recording options: T.I.'s Grand Hustle camp through Atlantic Records or relaunching So So Def when Jermaine Dupri signed a new deal.
In the end, a third option emerged.
"We had two sit-downs," Bow Wow said of meeting with Cash Money. "Upon the first sit-down, I called [co-CEO Birdman] and told him what I wanted to do. So it was a no-brainer. He was like, 'Bow, you always been family. Next to Wayne, I look at you like my son. If you not with JD, you with us.' From there, it was a done deal. So I wanna thank [him], Slim and Wayne."
Bow Wow's addition to the Cash Money collective follows the announcement that Omarion had inked with Lil Wayne's Young Money imprint. The two moves, along with Drake's signing, are a far cry from the label's early days when the Hot Boyz â€" a cast that included Wayne, Juvenile, B.G. and Young Turk â€" were the central act. Now, with a stable of rapping matinee idols, the crew boasts a lineup as deep as any label.
"We all want to win, and in...More BOW WOW!   MARIO’S “BREAK UP” TAKES UP THE #1 SPOT ON THE URBAN MAINSTREAM CHART
BRAND NEW ALBUM D.N.A. SET FOR OCTOBER 13TH RELEASE
New York, NY â€" Multi-platinum R&B heartthrob Mario and his summer smash hit “Break Up” claims the #1 spot on this week’s Urban Mainstream Chart. The video for the hit single remains a top 5 favorite on BET’s 106 & Park, peaking at #1 for several days last week. With sells of over 40,000 ringtones per week, “Break Up” is #4 on this week’s Ringscan chart, joining the top 5 along with Drake’s “Best I Ever Had,” Jason Aldean’s “Big Green Tractor,” New Boyz “You’re a Jerk” and Mariah Carey’s “Obsessed.” The success of “Break Up” paves the way to the October 13th release of Mario’s brand new album D.N.A.
Described as a collection of songs that characterize the make up of the now 22 year old Baltimore native’s life, D.N.A. resonates with topics of love, relationships, and heartbreak; replete with a versatile yet distinctive Mario sound that critics and fans have grown to adore. A-List producers and writers delivering top notch production include Sean Garret & Bangladesh, Jim Jonsin, Tricky Stewart & The Dream, Babyface, Stargate, LOS Da Mystro, Rico Love, Harold Lilly & Elvis Williams, The Runners, Eric Hudson, KP and Malay.
Mario came to acclaim at the age of 15 when he released his self-titled debut in 2002 which spawned the Top 10 single “Just a Friend (2002).” His follow-up album, 2004’s Turning Point, featured the mega hit “Let Me Love You,” which skyrocketed to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, where it stayed for five weeks, propelling Turning Point to worldwide double-platinum status and earning Mario two Grammy nominations and two Billboard wins. Mario’s December 2007 release of Go marked his third Top 5 debut on Billboard’s R&B Album chart and featured the hit singles “How Can I Breathe” and “Crying Out For Me.” ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- A man has been arrested in connection with the July shooting death of former boxing champion Vernon Forrest, Atlanta police said Tuesday night.
Demario Ware, 20, turned himself in to police on Tuesday and is being held in the Fulton County jail on charges of murder, armed robbery and aggravated assault, Atlanta police said.
Forrest, 38, was shot in a neighborhood southwest of downtown Atlanta on the night of July 25. Police and his longtime manager have said Forrest was robbed, leading to a confrontation in which he was shot several times.
Forrest died of multiple gunshot wounds to the torso and thigh, the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office said.
Information on what led police to suspect Ware in Forrest's death wasn't immediately available. The case still is under investigation, said Officer J. Polite Jr., Atlanta police spokesman.
Forrest's longtime friend and manager, Charles Watson, said last month that Forrest was returning from the gym after a late workout when he and his godson stopped at a Southwest Atlanta gas station on the night Forrest was shot.
While Forrest was at the gas station, a man snatched his wallet out of his hand after asking him for money, said Watson, who spoke to police and the godson.
Atlanta police told CNN affiliate WSB-TV in July that Forrest chased the suspect and that gunfire was exchanged.
Forrest was the International Boxing Council junior welterweight champion in 1995, the World Boxing Council continental welterweight champion in 1997, the North American Boxing Federation welterweight champion from 1998 to 2000, the International Boxing Federation welterweight champion in 2001, the WBC welterweight champion in 2002-2003, and the WBC light welterweight champion in 2007-2008 and 2008-2009, according to the BoxRec Web site.
He was named the World Boxing Hall of Fame fighter of the year in 2002, according to BoxRec.
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