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For The Record: Quick News On Christina Aguilera, Game, 50 Cent, Jessica Simpson, Nelly, C. DeLores Tucker & More
October 13, 2005
Christina Aguilera is now hitting for the other team. Despite being a lifelong Coke drinker — or at least claiming to be one when she did a Coke commercial for Latin America — the singer just shot an ad for Pepsi that will also only air internationally. In this one, she wears a feathered tiara, sarong and a swimsuit, although Pepsi won't divulge what the concept is. What the soda giant will say is that Xtina has "truly encapsulated the 'Dare for More' approach." Even though this ad isn't for American audiences, it'll likely break through on the Internet the way Britney, Beyoncé and Pink's gladiator-themed Pepsi ad did in early 2004, so keep an eye out. ...
The Game, Celine Dion, Chingy, JoJo, Jesse McCartney and Ruben Studdard are among the artists lending their voices to the hurricane relief charity single "Come Together Now." Actress Sharon Stone and songwriter/socialite Denise Rich teamed up to write the track, which will be unveiled on Monday during a press conference in Hollywood. Mya, Nick Carter, Joss Stone, John Legend, Angie Stone and Wyclef Jean are also on the song, the proceeds from which will go to Habitat for Humanity. ... That's only the first of two hurricane relief songs Wyclef has done recently. The second is a duet with Norah Jones called "Any Other Day," which will be released on Friday and benefits the American Red Cross and AmeriCares for Gulf Coast Hurricane Relief. "As a child growing up in Haiti, I experienced the wrath and destructive power of hurricanes," Jean said. "And as an adult, going back, I have had the opportunity to serve in hurricane relief efforts as well. No one can challenge Mother Nature. All we can do is band together the best we can as one family and help everyone get back on their feet." ...
50 Cent and Young Buck have announced two new grants they'll be distributing through 50's G-Unity Foundation. The first, going to the Nashville Alliance for Public Education, will help fund AVID (Advance Via Individual Determination), which is a national program designed to increase students' academic performance. Then Houston's Teach for America will be presented with a $100,000 grant, which will be used to assist in the organization's Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. Houston's Independent School District has taken in thousands of students displaced by the devastating storm. ... Dashboard Confessional's Chris Carrabba raised more than $150,000 for hurricane relief last month through three benefit concerts his band staged; all featured Coheed and Cambria, the New Amsterdams and the Honorary Title in the opening slots. Money raised from the gigs will be presented to Save the Children, Direct Relief International and AmeriCares. Carrabba also donated the track "Ghost of a Good Thing," a song he performed during MTV's "ReAct Now: Music and Relief" concert. The song is available for download at various online music retailers, with all proceeds earmarked for the American Red Cross and Habitat for Humanity. ...
Jessica Simpson's boots are made for walkin' — the singer is rolling out a footwear line next month, starting with slouchy boots in styles called "The Daisy" and "The Jessica." The Jessica Simpson Footwear line will be followed by studded heels and strappy sandals in the $59-$159 price range in the spring. ... Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony must subscribe to the notion that the couple that plays together, stays together — they're both headlining a three-day fiesta in the Dominican Republic this weekend, the annual Presidente Latin Music Festival in Santo Domingo. Other acts on the bill include Daddy Yankee, Chayanne and Diego Torres, as well as a whole slew of local performers. ...
Mariah Carey admits in her cover story in the November issue of CosmoGirl that she has a bit of a case of arrested development — she still walks barefoot on tiptoe the way she did when she was 4 years old, and she's still writing about things that happened when she was a little girl. It's that innocence, she says, that makes her songs profound. "I think I am a romantic and that's why I can write love songs that people relate to," she told the mag. "It might even be a memory from eighth grade. I haven't lost that side of who I am." ... Nelly will get a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame next month. The rapper is being honored because he often makes reference to and promotes his hometown through his music and videos, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Nelly's in good company on the Walk of Fame: Other inductees include Chuck Berry, Phyllis Diller, T.S. Eliot, Redd Foxx, Ozzie Smith and Ike and Tina Turner. ...
Civil-rights activist and anti-hip-hop crusader C. DeLores Tucker died Wednesday in Norristown, Pennsylvania. She was 78. Well-known in Pennsylvania politics, Tucker gained national prominence in the mid-'90s for her high-profile battle against what she deemed misogynistic and obscene rap lyrics. She was, she once famously declared, "ready to go to jail, ready to die, whatever is necessary to stop this pornographic filth," and for years was embroiled in contentious legal and occasionally intensely personal battles with some of rap's biggest names, including Snoop Dogg and Tupac Shakur. Tucker filed numerous lawsuits against rappers and record companies, including one against the late Tupac's estate for rhyming her name with an obscenity on his album All Eyez on Me. A federal judge eventually tossed the suit. ... Isley Brothers frontman Ronald Isley went on trial in Los Angeles on Wednesday for several charges of tax evasion. R. Kelly's preferred vocalist allegedly abused funds, demanding payment of tour fees in cash, making it tough to track where exactly that money went, like whether it was used to pay off legitimate expenses or pocketed for his own personal profit. Prosecutors say he also lifted royalty checks meant for other "Isley Brothers-related enterprises and people," according to Reuters. If convicted, Isley could face up to 26 years behind bars. ...
Pam Anderson and Bryan Adams are shooting a video on Thursday (October 13) in Hollywood for their new duet, "When You're Gone." The song will be included on Adams' greatest-hits collection Anthology, due Tuesday. The two first worked together when Adams shot Anderson for his 1999 photo book, "Made in Canada," in which she wore nothing but a flag. ... The Lovehammers, the Chicago band featuring "Rock Star: INXS" runner-up Marty Casey, have been tapped to open for INXS on their Switched On winter tour, as was hinted at on the show. The trek kicks off January 18 in Vancouver, British Columbia. ...
Tegan and Sara recently took a break from touring to tape a guest appearance on Showtime's "The L Word." The episode will air in the spring. ... Black Rob wants you to bet on black: To help promote his first album in five years, The Black Rob Report, out October 18, the rapper is offering a chance for fans to win a trip for two to Las Vegas (call 1-888-ROB-1018 to enter). Tracks on the new album include "Star in the Hood," "Watch Your Movements" featuring Akon, "She's a Pro," "B.L.A.C.K." and the first single, "Ready." ...
Source: Mtv
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