Entertainment News

When Lil Jon was fired from Donald Trump's "Celebrity Apprentice," the rapper-producer fell short of the amount of money he wanted to raise for his charity.

That charity thought his efforts were just enough, though. On Tuesday, he was honored by the United Methodist Children's Home for raising $80,000.

The proceeds will be placed in an endowment fund to help educational opportunities and refurbish buildings at the sprawling 99-acre campus in suburban Atlanta. There will also be multimedia studio named after Lil Jon to help launch a music and performing arts program.

Sporting a gray suite and a black bow tie, the normally energetic Lil Jon — who is known as the "King of Crunk" — was at a loss for words. His voice trembled when the pointed out that today was the birthday of his father — who died several years ago.

"I'm rarely speechless, but I'm speechless today," Lil Jon said. "The goal was to raise awareness to this children's home. Through the show, a lot of people got to learn about this home. Through the show, more people said they'll make more donations. I'm happy with that."

The 40-year-old said his initial goal was to raise $100,000. He was among the final four contestants along with John Rich, Meat Loaf and Marlee Matlin.

Rich won the competition on Sunday, taking home $250,000 for his charity.

Lil Jon's tenure ended more than a week ago after he told a panel of past "Apprentice" winners that Rich and Matlin should face off against each other rather than himself.

Terence Johnson, director of programs at the United Methodist Children's Home, said he wouldn't have traded in Lil Jon for any of the other show's contestants. He said the rapper brought national awareness to the UMCH, which opened in 1871 and was originally founded as an orphanage for children who lost parents during the Civil War.

"It translates into hope," Johnson said. "You can't put a price tag on it. This is the spark that some of these kids need."

Johnson said Lil Jon's ability to help others on the show look past the negative stereotype associated with rappers, who are known for their harsh and obscene lyrics.

Lil Jon's mother, who was in attendance, said she was proud of her son's positive effect through his charity.

"It brought back sadness," said Lil Jon's mother Carrie Smith-Williams, who was a foster parent. "I was so happy to see him express that without even crying. They were so close. I was proud of him."

The charity efforts won't stop there with Jon and his "Celebrity Apprentice" counterparts. He, Meat Loaf, Rich and Mark McGrath recently released the "Stand In The Storm," a song that will benefit each of their charities.

"It's all about us doing more to help the cause — even after `The Apprentice,'" Lil Jon said.

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On the Net:

http://www.nbc.com/the-apprentice/

http://LILJonyeahh.com

Maybach Music Group, "Self Made Vol. 1" (Maybach Music Group/Warner Bros.)

Compilation albums have earned a reputation for having only a couple of songs that are worth a listen. Unfortunately, Maybach Music Group's debut album, "Self Made Vol. 1," helps solidify that view.

It's the label's first compilation album, starring one of hip-hop's best in Rick Ross, alongside Maybach's newly signed rappers Wale, Meek Mill, Pill and singer Teedra Moses. The burly and bearded Ross shines like expected through much of the 15-track album, but he doesn't completely overshadow the lyrically gifted Wale and Moses.

For Meek Mill and Pill, it's different story. Meek Mill struggles to hold his own, with his youthful tone, against the formidable combination of Ross and Wale. Pill delivers raps that aren't easy to digest and forgettable.

The separation of powers is obvious on the opening track "Self Made," as Ross and Wale offer swagger, with Moses backing them up with her soulful voice. The trio leaves Meek Mill and Pill in the dust.

"Self Made's" throwaway tracks include "Pacman" and "By Any Means." But there are some respectable songs, such as "Pandemonium," "Play Your Part" and "That Way," featuring Jeremih, which save the album from a complete downfall.

CHECK THIS TRACK OUT: Even though Pill was outdone for the most part, he does show promise on "Don't Let Me Go" featuring Gunplay.

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Eminem and teen idol Justin Bieber dominated the Billboard Music Awards on Sunday, winning six awards each with the 38-year-old rapper taking the top honor for artist of the year.

With Eminem absent, Bieber helped lead the way on stage beside some of pop's biggest current stars at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, marking the music magazine's efforts to revive what was once an annual event following a four-year hiatus.

Sporting his now short, spiky hair and a sparkling gold tuxedo jacket, Bieber beat singer Bruno Mars and rapper Nicki Minaj for best new artist and marveled to the audience, "I'm 17 ... every day is crazy to me because I see so many people and I get to make so many people smile."

The Canadian pop star, who has gained a huge following of "Beliebers" through YouTube and social media websites, also won awards for top pop album, streaming artist and song, as well as social and digital media artist. He thanked "everybody who helped me get out of my home town and live my dream."

Detroit native Eminem, who released the critical and commercial success "Recovery" last year, including the hit single "Love The Way You Lie" featuring singer Rihanna, won awards for top male artist, billboard 200 album, rap artist, rap song and rap album.

Rihanna, 23, kicked off the show with a performance of "S&M" from her 2010 fifth studio album "Loud," and was joined on stage by Britney Spears before going on to win three awards including top female and top radio artist of the year.

She thanked her biggest fan devotees, who call themselves the Rihanna navy, and hailed her native Barbados. The last Billboard artist of the year was Rihanna's former boyfriend Chris Brown, who pleaded guilty to assaulting her in 2009 and did not attend the awards.

Katy Perry won awards for top hot 100 artist and top digital songs, while British singer-songwriter Taio Cruz won the top hot 100 song of the year for his hit, "Dynamite."

"Need You Now," by Lady Antebellum won country song of the year. The title track from their second album introduced the group from Nashville, Tennessee to audiences worldwide and is now the most-downloaded country song ever, according to Billboard.

Taylor Swift, 21, who has swept music award shows in the past several years, won country artist of the year. She sold 1,047,000 first-week copies of her third album "Speak Now" in the United States last November, making it the fastest-selling new album in five years.

Accepting the top duo or group award for the Black Eyed Peas, Will.i.Am singled out "technology because without technology we wouldn't be here as an industry."

Beyonce was honored with the Millennium Award for her musical influence and hailed as a role model for women.

Neil Diamond, 70, won the icon award before performing his 1969 hit, "Sweet Caroline." Other performers included Keith Urban, Nicki Minaj and singer Cee Lo Green.

U2 won the top touring award for its current "U2 360 degrees" tour, which features revolutionary staging and has become the highest-grossing tour of all time.

"You can make classic albums in your bedroom and you can play the greatest show of your life on a one-string guitar, but we just don't do that," U2 frontman Bono told the audience.

The awards, with eligibility from Feb 28, 2010 to March 1, 2011, were based on multiple factors including chart performance, album and single digital sales, touring and streaming and popularity on social media sites.

(Editing by Eric Walsh)

Eminem and teen idol Justin Bieber dominated the Billboard Music Awards on Sunday, winning six awards each with the 38-year-old rapper taking the top honor for artist of the year.

With Eminem absent, Bieber helped lead the way on stage beside some of pop's biggest current stars at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, marking the music magazine's efforts to revive what was once an annual event following a four-year hiatus.

Sporting his now short, spiky hair and a sparkling gold tuxedo jacket, Bieber beat singer Bruno Mars and rapper Nicki Minaj for best new artist and marveled to the audience, "I'm 17 ... every day is crazy to me because I see so many people and I get to make so many people smile."

The Canadian pop star, who has gained a huge following of "Beliebers" through YouTube and social media websites, also won awards for top pop album, streaming artist and song, as well as social and digital media artist. He thanked "everybody who helped me get out of my home town and live my dream."

Detroit native Eminem, who released the critical and commercial success "Recovery" last year, including the hit single "Love The Way You Lie" featuring singer Rihanna, won awards for top male artist, billboard 200 album, rap artist, rap song and rap album.

Rihanna, 23, kicked off the show with a performance of "S&M" from her 2010 fifth studio album "Loud," and was joined on stage by Britney Spears before going on to win three awards including top female and top radio artist of the year.

She thanked her biggest fan devotees, who call themselves the Rihanna navy, and hailed her native Barbados. The last Billboard artist of the year was Rihanna's former boyfriend Chris Brown, who pleaded guilty to assaulting her in 2009 and did not attend the awards.

Katy Perry won awards for top hot 100 artist and top digital songs, while British singer-songwriter Taio Cruz won the top hot 100 song of the year for his hit, "Dynamite."

"Need You Now," by Lady Antebellum won country song of the year. The title track from their second album introduced the group from Nashville, Tennessee to audiences worldwide and is now the most-downloaded country song ever, according to Billboard.

Taylor Swift, 21, who has swept music award shows in the past several years, won country artist of the year. She sold 1,047,000 first-week copies of her third album "Speak Now" in the United States last November, making it the fastest-selling new album in five years.

Accepting the top duo or group award for the Black Eyed Peas, Will.i.Am singled out "technology because without technology we wouldn't be here as an industry."

Beyonce was honored with the Millennium Award for her musical influence and hailed as a role model for women.

Neil Diamond, 70, won the icon award before performing his 1969 hit, "Sweet Caroline." Other performers included Keith Urban, Nicki Minaj and singer Cee Lo Green.

U2 won the top touring award for its current "U2 360 degrees" tour, which features revolutionary staging and has become the highest-grossing tour of all time.

"You can make classic albums in your bedroom and you can play the greatest show of your life on a one-string guitar, but we just don't do that," U2 frontman Bono told the audience.

The awards, with eligibility from Feb 28, 2010 to March 1, 2011, were based on multiple factors including c

LONDON (Reuters) – U.S. rapper Pitbull's song "Give Me Everything" has topped the British singles charts, the Official Charts Company said on Sunday.

The track -- the result of Pitbull's collaboration with U.S. singers Ne-Yo and Nayer and Dutch producer Afrojack -- rose from last week's fourth position and pushed "The Lazy Song" by Bruno Mars down to the second place.

Lady Gaga scored four singles in the top 40 list. Her lowest-ranked hit -- "Born This Way" from the much-hyped eponymous album due out on Monday -- came in at number 16.

New to the ranking were "Save The World" by Swedish House Mafia, at number 11, and "Hair" by Lady Gaga, at number 13.

In the albums chart, English pop singer Adele held on to the top spot with "21" for the fifth week in a row. Earlier this year, the recording topped the chart for 11 consecutive weeks before its reign was briefly broken in April.

New entrant "Director's Cut" by Kate Bush became the second-most popular album of the week.

(Reporting by Olesya Dmitracova)

Keyshia Cole at 2006 Billboard Awards

After five years of dormancy, the Billboard Music Awards are being revived Sunday with a major dose of star power.

Rihanna and Eminem are among the top competitors, Beyonce is due to receive a top honor, and performers include Britney Spears, the Black Eyed Peas and Cee Lo Green.

The Billboard Awards had been a staple since 1989, but gave out what appeared to be its last award in 2006. This year, the show was brought back.

It's being held in Las Vegas, and will be broadcast live on ABC.

The Billboard Music Awards are given out to music's most popular artists. The finalists and winners are determined by their rank on the Billboard charts and their "social and streaming activity."

Festival goers can embrace the art of live music, holistic products & services, nutrition, crystals/jewelry, Yoga, massage therapy, Thai Chi, free health screenings, and more. The event features an enlightening talk by world renowned author & guru: Deepak Chopra at 5:00pm and a live concert performance from Grammy Award winning artist: India.Arie at 8:00pm.

Detroit, MI (PRWEB) May 21, 2011

Excitement and diversity is coming to the Metropolitan Detroit community this Summer! Chene Park Amphitheater is bringing an entirely new experience to the City on Saturday, June 18th, 2011: The “Music & Mastery Holistic Festival”.

The “Music & Mastery Holistic Festival” is a full-day event consisting of healing, enlightenment and pure energy! Festival goers can embrace the art of live music, holistic products & services, nutrition, crystals/jewelry, Yoga, massage therapy, Thai Chi, free health screenings, and more.

This unique event will feature a special message by Internationally acclaimed spiritual teacher: Deepak Chopra at 5:00pm. Chopra is a global leader in the field of mind-body medicine. Chopra is known as a prolific author of nearly sixty books with eighteen New York Times best sellers on mind-body health, spirituality, and peace. Deepak also serves as a columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle and Washington Post on Faith and contributes regularly to http://www.Oprah.com, http://www.Intent.com, and Huffington Post.

In addition, The “Music & Mastery Holistic Festival” will feature an electrifying, live concert performance from Grammy Award winning recording artist: India.Arie at 8:00pm.

Work, stress, and environmental factors deplete & affect health and overall well-being. On, Saturday, June 18th, 2011 all are encouraged to come to Chene Park and enjoy the tranquil sounds of songstress: India.Arie and listen to the insightful talk on: Healing, Transformation and Higher Consciousness delivered by world renowned author & guru: Deepak Chopra.

Journey and awaken into the art of “Music & Mastery”. This transforming experience is a celebration to life! Tickets are on sale now and available at the Chene Park box office or via any http://www.Ticketmaster.com outlet. Individual event passes range from $35-$47 for your choice of Deepak Chopra at 5:00pm or India.Arie at 8:00pm. Full-day, combo-passes are $47-$75. VIP access is also available. The event is free to the community from 10:00am - 4:00pm.

The “Music & Mastery Holistic Festival” takes place on Saturday, June 18th, 2011. Gates open to the public at 10:00 am and close at 8:30pm.

Chene Park is located along the banks of the Detroit river, just east of the General Motors world headquarters in Detroit, Michigan. Located at the foot of Chene Street, just east of Tri-Centennial State Park and Harbor, it is a 6,000-seat amphitheater where concerts are regularly scheduled every summer.

Jazz, Classic Soul and Rhythm and Blues acts are the staples of the season. The park also includes the Chene Park Fountain, and the Lake Lounge bar. Chene Park is owned by The City of Detroit and is a facility of the Recreation Department.

It is managed and operated by The Right Productions, Inc.

2600 Atwater Street - Detroit, MI 48207 – http://www.CheneParkDetroit.com – 313.393-7128

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Ken Blanks HarrellDetroit Media Broadcast Company, LLC248-581-0187Email Information

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Haley Reinhart said on Friday she was at peace with missing out on a spot in next week's "American Idol" finale and predicted that teens Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina would captivate the show's younger fans.

Reinhart, 22, was finally voted off the singing contest after landing in the bottom three on four occasions, and receiving some of the harshest comments from the new, more friendly judging panel.

"I believe their intention was simply to push me along further and get me to the top of my game and get me a little fired up inside," Reinhart told reporters of the criticism.

"I got to top 3, so that's quite all right...I don't live in regret. I do nit pick -- I'm a Virgo. But I don't regret anything because each step along this way has gotten me to where I am. And I got to show versatility and I am proud to do that," she said.

Reinhart has been singing since the age of eight, starting out with her parent's rock covers band, and had auditioned unsuccessfully for a place on "American Idol" in 2009.

But she was sanguine about not making it to next week's two-part grand finale and a shot at winning a guaranteed record contract with Universal Music.

"I accepted (my elimination) very quickly, and I thought everything happens for a reason and this is a good thing. It means I am going to start my career as a solo artist even sooner," she said. "I would love to do an album that is sultry, bluesy, rock.

Reinhart's exit leaves McCreery, 17, and Alaina, 16, in the first all-country finale in "American Idol"s 10 year history. The May 24 showdown bodes well for future album sales for the eventual winner given 2005 champion and country singer Carrie Underwood's status as the show's top-earning contestant.

"As far as the viewers go, this is perfect for them. We have a lot of young audience out there and Scotty and Lauren are both so darn cute," Reinhart said

"This is a country year. I definitely can see young America being very captivated by these two.", she added.

"American Idol" is the most-watched TV show in the Unites States with almost 25 million viewers and has reversed a ratings slide this year, thanks mostly to the arrival of new judges Jennifer Lopez and Aerosmith rocker Steven Tyler.

(Editing by Christine Kearney)

Transit Systems, Inc. announces the “Music That Moves You” Prize Drawing to launch on May 16, 2011 for votes on top ten songs about moving with grand prizes including a new iPod Nano with Multi-Touch Technology and iTunes gift certificates.

Wayne, PA (PRWEB) May 20, 2011

For anyone who has ever wondered what Americans consider to be the best song to move to, there is now a place where they can vote and voice their opinion on the best moving song: http://www.transitsystems.com/music.

The “Music that Moves You” Prize Drawing is sponsored by Transit Systems, Inc. (TSI), a leading provider of moving and shipping services nationwide. Every voter will be entered into a drawing for prizes that include a free iPod nano and iTunes gift certificates.

Participants can vote on songs and spanning generations and genres, by artists from the Beatles to P. Diddy, and Hank Williams to Kelly Clarkson. Voters can even add their own nominations, comments and criticisms. TSI will publish the results of the votes online, along with voters’ nominations and comments.

“This contest combines something that we as people love with something that we do,” says Chris Smith, CEO and President of TSI. “American Idol, Dancing with the Stars, America’s Got Talent, we love challenges involving music. We also enjoy listening to music when we move. We want to give people a chance to identify their top moving songs, and also give them prizes that will help them listen to music even more.”

Several voters will get to expand their own personal musical library when they are chosen as iPod and iTunes prize winners. The voting period will run from May 16, 2011 through May 31, 2011. Prize winners will be announced June 6, 2011. For more information, or to submit an entry form, please visit http://www.transitsystems.com/music.

About Transit Systems, Inc. Transit Systems, Inc. (also known as TSI) is a nationwide shipping company that provides moving and shipping help of all kinds, from freight service to furniture shipping and delivery. TSI is federally licensed by the U.S. Dept. of Transportation, and had been designated as an Approved Vendor for The UPS Store ®. Transit Systems, Inc. specializes in small move assistance and shipping furniture. For more information about TSI or to receive a free shipping quote, visit http://www.transitsystems.com/.

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Bhavna BhatiaTRANSIT SYSTEMS, INC.(610) 535-4921Email Information

A federal grand jury on Thursday indicted New Orleans rapper B.G. on gun and conspiracy charges, U.S. Attorney Jim Letten said.

Letten said the 30-year-old rapper, whose real name is Christopher Dorsey, faces two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice.

If convicted, Dorsey faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the gun charges and up to 20 years and a $250,000 fine on the conspiracy charge.

The charges are from a 2009 traffic stop in which officers recovered three guns, two of which were reported stolen. Police told The Times-Picayune that Dorsey was arrested along with two others in the vehicle, Demounde Pollard and Jerod Fedison.

According to the indictment, Dorsey conspired with Pollard and Fedison to obstruct justice by "inducing Demounde Pollard to sign a false affidavit attesting that Dorsey did not possess three firearms on Nov. 3, 2009."

Both Pollard and Fedison have pleaded guilty in the case and are awaiting sentencing, Letten said.

It was not immediately known whether Dorsey had an attorney and a telephone listing could not be found for him.

B.G. is probably best known for 1999's "Bling Bling," which was a hit by the group, the Hot Boys, of which he was a member along with rappers Lil Wayne, Juvenile and Turk.