Entertainment News

JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Soul singer Macy Gray has asked her fans on Facebook whether she should cancel planned concerts in Tel Aviv because of the "disgusting" way the Israeli government treats Palestinians.

International artists, entertainers and academics are under increasing pressure to boycott Israel because of Israeli actions in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

But Gray took the unusual step of asking Facebook followers what to do, in a posting that went up Monday.

"I'm getting alot of letters from activists urging/begging me to boycott by NOT performing in protest of Apartheid against the Palestinians," she wrote.

"What the Israeli government is doing to the Palestinians is disgusting, but I wana go. I gotta lotta fans there I dont want to cancel on and I dont know how my NOT going changes anything. What do you think? Stay or go?"

After receiving almost 4,000 often impassioned messages in just four days, Gray has announced via Twitter that she would indeed sing in Tel Aviv next month.

"Dear Israel fans. Me and the band will be there in 20 days. Can't wait. See you then. Peace," she wrote in a Tweet.

Israelis and Palestinians have been locked in conflict for six decades, with U.S.-led initiatives to bring about a negotiated settlement making little head way over the years.

Palestinians accuse Israel of operating a de-facto apartheid system in the occupied West Bank, where they want to establish an independent state. Israel says Palestinian militants are intent on destroying the Jewish State.

Singer-songwriter Elvis Costello, for example, canceled his planned concerts in Israel last summer because of what he called the "grave and complex" sensitivities.

Earlier this month, French singer Vanessa Paradis, who is married to actor Johnny Depp, canceled a February 10 concert in Israel. She said it clashed with an important meeting, but the Israeli media have speculated that is was a political decision.

(Reporting by Crispian Balmer)

Authorities in Memphis have dropped criminal charges against rapper Yo Gotti over a fight outside a nightclub.

The performer, whose legal name is Mario Mims, had been arrested after the fight outside a nightclub on Nov. 29 that left five men with gunshot wounds.

Mims and nine other suspects were charged with aggravated riot in a parking lot fight at the Level II entertainment complex.

The Commercial Appeal quotes Shelby County District Attorney General's spokeswoman Jennifer Donnals, who said the charges were dropped for a lack of witnesses.

Donnals says charges against six others in the brawl were also dropped.

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Information from: The Commercial Appeal, http://www.commercialappeal.com

Ministry of Sound Group and Malaco Music Group Migrate from Legacy Systems to Web-Based Platform

San Diego, CA (PRWEB) January 19, 2011

RoyaltyShare, Inc., a leading provider of digital revenue management and reporting solutions, today announced that its RoyaltyShare RPS platform has been adopted by two leading independent labels to address their complex artist and mechanical royalty needs. The Ministry of Sound Group and Malaco Music Group have moved to RoyaltyShare from legacy software systems in order to deal with the dramatic increase in digital transactions and improve overall efficiencies. RoyaltyShare’s RPS platform is used by more than 150 record labels worldwide and has emerged as a de facto standard for royalty processing.

“We are well beyond the stage where legacy royalty software can address the complex demands of the digital age,” said Cheryl Breindel, Vice President of Royalty Services for RoyaltyShare. “RoyaltyShare has been successful converting labels because we offer the performance, scalability and ease-of-use required in today’s dynamic environment.”

RoyaltyShare RPS is a Web-based royalty system that automates and simplifies the royalty process. Because the application is hosted, labels benefit from data security, performance and scalability not possible with legacy software systems. RoyaltyShare RPS offers support for all a record labels royalty needs including support for mechanical royalties (royalties paid to music publishers) and artist/producer royalties.

“We are a label with an extremely large catalog, hundreds of payees, and direct relationships with e-tailers, over 7000 statements are produced bi-annually,” said Andrew Hellier, head of Royalties, at The Ministry of Sound Group, one of the largest independent label groups in Europe. “With the increase in digital sales and digital partners, we needed a solution that would allow us to provide accurate and timely statements so we can send out all statements electronically or via the web. RoyaltyShare’s platform has automated the ingestion of hundreds of digital sales files and provided a system with the horsepower and ability to deal with millions of transactions.”

“Our older royalty system was not up to the task of dealing with digital royalties,” said Stewart Madison, Director of Business Affairs for Malaco Music Group. “It was clear that we needed to modernize our operations and RoyaltyShare’s system was our choice to make that happen.”

Labels interested in RoyaltyShare RPS can contact the company’s sales team by calling 858.784.5400 (US) or 44 (0) 208.439.1528 (Europe), or sending an email to sales(at)royaltyshare(dot)com.

About The Ministry of Sound Group The Ministry of Sound Group is home to a collection of the best-known record labels in the music industry including Ministry of Sound, Hed Kandi, Data, Hard2Beat, Global Underground and Euphoria. In addition to its U.S. labels, The Ministry of Sound Group operates through numerous international affiliates and licenses in more than 50 countries.

About Malaco Music Group Comprising recording studios, record labels, music publishing companies, direct marketing operations, and distribution services, the Malaco Music Group takes original music from concept to consumer. Malaco has been making and marketing definitive southern soul, blues, and gospel music since 1968. Building on this firm foundation, Malaco's expanded repertoire also includes jazz, urban, Christian, and children's music. Malaco is home to many recording artists and songwriters, a catalog of thousands of original recordings and song copyrights

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – A heavily revamped "American Idol" returns for a 10th season on Wednesday hoping to regain its mojo after losing audiences and its biggest star.

Airing for the first time without sharp-tongued British judge Simon Cowell, the TV singing contest has ramped up the star power with new judges Jennifer Lopez and rocker Steven Tyler in a bid to maintain its place as the dominant force on U.S. television.

And producers say they are putting new emphasis on supporting and mentoring contestants in the hope of finding the next Kelly Clarkson or Carrie Underwood -- the only two winners to have enjoyed strong careers.

"I'm not going in there to be a harsh judge or an overbearing judge," said Aerosmith frontman Tyler. "I made some harsh comments the first week (of nationwide auditions) ... I only did two of those because I didn't want that to happen again."

Executive producer Nigel Lythgoe, returning to the show after a two-year absence, said the new panel would "bring more of a critique rather than just 'pack your suitcase, go home',".

"American Idol" has lost about six million viewers over the past four years, and recent winners Kris Allen and Lee DeWyze seem destined to slip into obscurity after suffering dismal sales for their debut albums.

But Todd Gold, executive editor of Xfinity TV, said buzz was strong after a summer of upheavals that also saw the exits of judges Ellen DeGeneres and Kara DioGuardi, and a switch to record label Universal Music from Sony Music Entertainment.

"Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler are bringing excitement and curiosity to the show. The goal is not to just stop the ratings fall, but to reverse it," Gold told Reuters.

"I think they have a really good shot at achieving their goal, which is to make people not only watch the show, but talk about it and buy the merchandise and the records," he added.

Broadcaster Fox television, currently languishing bottom of the leading four U.S. networks in overall viewers, is looking to "Idol" for its annual ratings lift, especially among the 18-49 year-old audience most coveted by advertisers.

But rival networks whose programing was once squashed by the "Idol" juggernaut, are quietly confident.

"American Idol" is moving to new nights this season, airing mostly on Wednesdays and Thursdays. The change puts "Idol" up against a pair of Emmy-winning comedies, ABC's "Modern Family" on Wednesday and CBS' "The Big Bang Theory" on Thursday .

"It's going to be interesting to see, with the new cast and the changes this year. But it's a power house," CBS entertainment president Nina Tassler said recently of "Idol".

But Tassler said that "Big Bang Theory" has a loyal fan base of around 14 million viewers, adding "so we think we will do okay...The truth is we're not worried." "American Idol" averaged 24 million viewers last season.

"American Idol" has also hired Universal Music executive Jimmy Iovine -- a record producer who worked with the likes of U2, Bruce Springsteen and John Lennon -- as an in-house mentor. It will also whittle down early contestants more quickly in a bid to keep audiences engaged.

With or without Cowell, the first three weeks of broadcast material from nationwide auditions will likely have its usual share of hopeless warblers among the next potential new superstar.

After closing out 2010 on a high note, Grammy-winning, Atlanta based rapper, Killer Mike, is set to unleash PL3DGE, the magnum opus of his “I Pledge Allegiance to the Grind” saga, on March 22nd (Grind Time Official/ Grand Hustle / Tree Leaf / SMC Recordings.) The video for the lead single, “Ready Set Go” featuring T.I., lit the streets up and exploded onto the MTV channels, Fuse and the internet at large back in December to rave reviews. A recent leak of his second offering, the politically charged “Burn”, appears to be taking off in much the same way.

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) January 18, 2011

After closing out 2010 on a high note, Grammy-winning, Atlanta based rapper, Killer Mike, is set to unleash PL3DGE, the magnum opus of his “I Pledge Allegiance to the Grind” saga, on March 22nd (Grind Time Official/ Grand Hustle / Tree Leaf / SMC Recordings.) The video for the lead single, “Ready Set Go” featuring T.I., lit the streets up and exploded onto the MTV channels, Fuse and the internet at large back in December to rave reviews. A recent leak of his second offering, the politically charged “Burn”, appears to be taking off in much the same way.

Following in the footsteps of Chuck D, Ice Cube, Scarface, Tupac and KRS One, whom he admires greatly, Killer Mike aka Mike Bigga, progresses his street soldier persona slash educator role on PL3DGE, as evidenced on the angst filled, socially minded "Burn.” Incendiary lines like "They say get a job, you can think and grow rich/ but what are you to do if the dollar ain't worth ish/ an' the jobs ain’t hirin', unemployment is gone/ They gon' repo your car and foreclose your home”, illustrate Mike’s ability to vocalize working and middle class' frustrations with bank bailouts, double standards and false promises. Think John Lennon’s “Working Class Hero” for the 21st century.

After hearing "Burn", one supporter tweeted "PL3DGE will be the fulfillment of a promise of excellence started and seen through from (Pledge) 1 and 2.”

"PL3DGE is the album I've always wanted to make" declares Mike. The level of inspiration is evident after listening to tracks such as the soulfully flamboyant "Ric Flair", the menacing "American Dream", or the '95 inspired D-Boy anthem "My Mercedes.”

Full of live instrumentation, PL3DGE features production by NO ID, The Bizness, DJ Speedy, Raz, Zone and newcomers Sweatbox, who are credited by Mike for providing the album's soul. Guest appearances are minimal but include TI, Young Jeezy, Gucci Mane, Twista & Rock D The Legend.

A long-time inspiration for many, Killer Mike has also been tapped by MTV for an ‘inspirational’ role in a special that will air on the channel in February. Stay tuned for details.

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Kate WolfsonSMC Recordings415-282-4466 ext. 110Email Information

RIVERSIDE, Calif. – A Southern California judge has ruled that Etta James' husband may use $60,000 of the ailing R&B singer's savings to pay for her medical care.

Riverside County Superior Court Judge Thomas Cahraman said at a hearing Friday that the money should last until Feb. 24, when Artis Mills is expected back in court to continue seeking control of more than $1 million of James' money.

The Riverside Press-Enterprise says Mills is challenging the legitimacy of a claim by James' son, Donto James, that his mother gave him power of attorney in 2008.

Court documents show the 72-year-old singer of "At Last" and other standards lives in the Woodcrest area of Riverside County, has been diagnosed with dementia and is undergoing treatment for leukemia.

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Information from: The Press-Enterprise, http://www.pe.com

LONDON (Reuters Life!) – Canadian rockers Arcade Fire and U.S. singer Cee Lo Green will perform at the BRIT music awards on February 15, joining Take That, Rihanna, Tinie Tempah and Plan B, organisers said on Monday.

Also added to the line-up were British folk rock outfit Mumford & Sons and singer-songwriter Adele.

Four of the performing acts are in the running for the main BRIT, Britain's equivalent of the Grammy. Take That, Plan B, Mumford & Sons and Tinie Tempah are competing against The XX for the coveted MasterCard British album of the year award.

British rapper Tinie Tempah leads the field with four BRIT nominations this year, just ahead of Plan B, Mumford & Sons and London's The XX, who each have three nods.

(Reporting by Mike Collett-White, editing by Paul Casciato)

Rapper G. Dep is facing a murder charge after walking into a police station to confess to a long-cold case, but he isn't regretful — he's relieved, his lawyer says.

"He had been haunted by this," attorney Anthony L. Ricco said Thursday after the rapper pleaded not guilty to charges including murder and manslaughter in the 1993 shooting of John Henkel. Defendants generally plead not guilty early in their cases, even if they've confessed, to allow evidence-gathering, legal arguments and any plea negotiations to proceed.

G. Dep, who had hits with "Special Delivery" and "Let's Get It" and helped popularize a loose-limbed dance called the Harlem shake in the early 2000s, turned up at a police precinct last month to say he'd shot someone as a teenager during a robbery in East Harlem. Detectives matched details he provided to the slaying of Henkel, who was shot three times in the chest outside an apartment complex.

The rapper, now 36, has said he didn't know the victim died until police told him so.

Ricco said he planned to analyze the rapper's statements and other evidence to see what charges he believes fit the case.

Born Trevell Coleman, the rapper was one of the rising stars of hip-hop impresario Sean "Diddy" Combs' Bad Boy Records label in the late 1990s and early 2000s. But G. Dep saw his career slump after his 2001 debut album, "Child of the Ghetto."

He became mired in drug use and racked up a roster of low-level arrests in recent years, though he has tried a number of addiction-recovery programs, Ricco said.

Meanwhile, he digitally released a new album, "Ghetto Legend," last year with a new label, Famous Records, which focuses on releasing music online.

Now being held without bail, G. Dep could face up to life in prison if convicted of murder. But the married father of three doesn't rue turning himself in, his lawyer said.

"I get the sense that he's relieved," Ricco said. "We have some people who say, 'Well, he was stupid for confessing.' On the other hand, there are a lot of people in life who say it's the first step toward redemption."

Lady Gaga, Eminem, Katy Perry are set to perform at the 53rd annual Grammy Awards.

The Recording Academy announced Thursday that the nominees will hit the stage at the awards show. It airs live on Feb. 13. Arcade Fire, Cee Lo Green and Miranda Lambert will also perform.

Eminem leads this year with 10 nominations. He's won 11 Grammy awards throughout his career. Lady Gaga is up for six awards, while Green and Perry are up for four. Arcade Fire and Lambert each have three nominations.

Other top nominees include Bruno Mars with seven and Lady Antebellum and Jay-Z, who each have six.

The award show will air on CBS from the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

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Online:

http://www.grammy.com

Ailing R&B singer Etta James is gravely ill and her husband of 41 years is seeking a California court order to control more than $1 million of her money.

The 72-year-old singer is best known for the 1961 hit "At Last." Court documents show she lives in the Woodcrest area of Riverside County, has been diagnosed with dementia and is undergoing treatment for leukemia.

Beverly Hills Dr. Elaine James, who isn't related, says in court documents that the singer cannot sign her name and she needs help with feeding, dressing and hygiene.

The Riverside Press-Enterprise says a court hearing Friday will consider a bid by husband Artis Mills to control her finances.

She earlier gave power of attorney to sons Donto James and Sametto James, and Donto's wife Christy, in February 2008. Mills is challenging the power of attorney.

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Information from: The Press-Enterprise, http://www.pe.com