Bringing new meaning to the term MC, songwriter and producer Pharrell Williams has been tapped as Music Consultant for the 84th Academy Awards. Williams, known for his versatile collaborations with the likes of Jay Z, Britney Spears, Madonna, and Snoop Dogg, is now teaming up with Hanz Zimmer to play this year’s award-winners up and, if necessary, off the stage.

This announcement comes weeks after Eddie Murphy dropped out as host, and assures us that even if Billy Crystal is his replacement, the Oscars won’t be lacking in funk this year.

There’s the question of how such a collaboration will sound. The Lion King with Hip Hop beats? “Drop It Like It’s Hot” featuring a sweeping orchestra? The odd couple have already worked together on the original soundtrack for the animated film Despicable Me, giving us a taste of what to expect.

Now curiosity abounds: Will Gary Oldman receive his first ever golden statuette (or even his first nomination) for Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy? Will Ryan Gosling be double-nominated for Drive and The Ides of March? And of course, will they walk the red carpet to the beat of “Hot in Herre” or “Pass the Courvoisier”?

To view the full article by Gil Kaufman click here.

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Last week, on Jimmy Kimmel’s late night TV show a music video premiered that was a collective creation by rapper Drake and Jimmy Kimmel. The video centers on the idea of writing Drake’s next hit, which Jimmy comes up with the “genius” idea that it should be made up of tweets. The video is too good to be missed.

According to Billboard, “‘Tweet Tweet’ is a catchy duet in which Drizzy urges fans to “follow me, follow me/ Tweet, tweet” and quotes other celebrities’ frivolous Twitter musings. Among the more notable faces quoted are Larry King, Britney Spears and Justin Bieber. The two also sport matching white suits (and Drake wears a doo rag!), dance and emulate Twitter’s signature Bluebirds for good measure. “Why write a song yourself when celebrities are tweeting so many great things?,” Kimmel asks Drake. Why, indeed.”

Follow the link below to check the video out for yourself.

Drake and Jimmy Kimmel have created their own music video together – and it can’t be beat.  Tweet all about it.  The images of celebrities physically tweeting like the Twitter bird is pretty ridiculously awesome, and just further hits home the point of how status updates are now all the rage – and being that much closer to a celebrity’s every move somehow continues to intrigue us…

In any event, the video is yet another hilarious production and will definitely crack you up.

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Everyone by now has heard of and has most likely seen an episode of “Glee” – the breakout hit just had it’s second season finale the other week and the music used throughout the series just keeps getting better. Many artists have lent their catalogs and provided permission for the show to use their music in various episodes already. However, before everyone knew what Glee was and how amazing the show and the music would be… There was some skepticism. Some bands and musicians were nervous about giving their permission for this, at the time, unknown show to do who knows what with. Some of these skeptics included Coldplay and Bryan Adams.

According to an article by Rolling Stone, “Before Glee became Fox’s newest musical juggernaut, invading shopping malls, concert halls, record stores and the Tony Awards, rock stars weren’t sure what to make of the concept of young theater actors portraying high school students remaking their tracks. And while some artists eagerly let their songs get covered by the members of New Directions, others held back — namely Coldplay and Bryan Adams, the show’s creator Ryan Murphy revealed at the Hollywood Reporter’s Emmy comedy showrunners roundtable.”

Ryan Murphy did not want to provide episode details in advance to the shows airing and stuck to his guns. Unfortunately that didn’t convince a few artists. However, it paid off in the end as Coldplay has come back to Glee and is now granting permission to the show to use their catalog. So many artists have been featured throughout the past two hit seasons already, and each artist has seen a huge bump in downloads of the tunes sung by the cast. In fact, the songs sung on the show have become so popular that “Glee has partnered with Columbia Records to release music from the series, and the resulting albums have been rocketing to the Top 10 of the Billboard 200, including The Power of Madonna , the disc named after the full episode of the show devoted to the Queen of Pop’s catalog, which hit Number One. Digital downloads from each episode have dominated single sales, as well. The cast’s version of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’ ” has gone gold. Total sales for the cast’s singles, according to the Los Angeles Times, tallies up to a massive 4.1 million copies.”

To many artists that’s a lucrative outlet to get their music back in front of a new audience and skyrocket in popularity – whether the tune is an oldie but goody, or simply the new kid on the block. This is a new avenue for artists in the music industry, with this specific type of show. I wonder if the music industry will find a way to screw this up too… Let’s hope not.

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These days ticket prices are continuing to skyrocket and fewer and fewer people are going to shows, or are able to go to shows as frequently as they have in the past. I remember in college, about seven years ago, going to concerts every weekend. Even multiple concerts in one weekend! It was an amazing experience to see a favorite band or listen to new music at one of the best venues in downtown Chicago. The Metro played host to local bands, nationally known bands, etc. All at reasonable prices – even the big guns. Nowadays it costs a hundred plus dollars for a pair of tickets to see a concert. It seems only the monster acts are going on tour these days, and the lesser known are far too unknown to create a draw. Even some of the big timers are having a hard time selling out, and as a result have cancelled shows and even whole tours. When will the music industry get it right and start thinking differently on how to make music and break new artists. There’s too much crap out there now, and so few chances to make an impact. For those artists who have made that impact, for example Lady Gaga, how long will they continue to hold our attention? These artists can only keep shocking us for so long. Don’t get me wrong, I am a Lady Gaga fan – but does she and other artists in the same boat have the sustainability?

According to Rolling Stone,

“This summer has brought one disaster after another for the concert industry with acts from U2 to Christina Aguilera canceling shows expected to rake in big bucks. Not everybody is bombing though: Jay-Z, Lady Gaga and the Carole King/James Taylor double bill are selling out everywhere and grossing around $1.3 million a night. Here’s a look at some of the surprising hits and misses:

• Billboard Boxscore reports that Spandau Ballet,Tears for Fears and Jack Jones grossed $1,509,660 over two nights in Sydney, Australia. Who knew that Aussies were willing to shell out big bucks to hear “True” and “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” again?

• Pearl Jam usually sell out every venue they play, but their May 13th show in Bristow, Virginia, only moved 13,706 out of 23,385 available tickets according to Pollstar. Shows that same month in Noblesville, Indiana, Kansas City and Cleveland all sold out, though, and the Bristow show still grossed $717,175. The poor showing is more likely a result of fans’ unwillingness to sit on a lawn and shell out big bucks for parking and drinks.

• Julian Casablancas will have a huge payday when the Strokes reunite this month for a European tour, but his solo tour has had its struggles. According to Pollstar, he just sold 49 percent of the house when he played the Houston House of Blues on April 12th.

• Even in Indianapolis, nobody wants to see George W. Bush. He spoke at Canseco Fieldhouse and according to Pollstar he just sold 28 percent of 8,442 tickets — which was pretty much his approval rating by the time he left office in 2009.

• You’d think there would be at least 200 people in the Washington, DC area willing to pay to hear a live version of “Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm,” but according to Pollstar, the Crash Test Dummies only sold 132 out of 200 tickets for their show at the Jammin’ Java in Vienna, Virginia.”

What are your thoughts on the state of touring musicians and concert prices?

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Recently there have been quite a few animated “tributes,” per se, of pop stars and some of their hit tunes, and some re-worked versions.

Billboard has called attention to a few, which included Ke$ha’s song “TiK ToK” on the Simpsons, and Kanye’s face off on The Cleveland Show. Also, will.i.am was given a not-so-flattering tribute on the season premiere of The Boondocks. The episode focused on all the celebrity hype surrounding President Barack Obama’s election back in 2008, and it featured a music video with a cartoon likeness of Black Eyed Peas front-man. The song took the beat of “It’s a New Day,” which will.i.am released after Obama was elected President, and added surprisingly catchy (yet, NSFW) lyrics.”

On the Sunday night episode of The Simpsons the song “TiK ToK” has the entire cast appearing throughout the song for the opening credits, obviously replacing the regular theme. The song is sung by Ke$ha throughout, with various characters ‘lip synching’ along to it. It’s extremely entertaining and crazy all at the same time. I’m sure it caught all of the viewers’ attention as it did mine – it was definitely an unexpected yet cool twist. It’s amazing to see all the different ways pop culture keeps ebbing into our lives in different facets.

After the Simpsons came The Cleveland Show. In the episode Cleveland Jr. takes on Kanye West, after supposedly hitting on Kanye’s girl. (more…)

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The new Lady Gaga video with Beyonce came out last week, and I was just now able to sit down and watch the whole thing – the explicit version, which I didn’t know exactly what I was getting myself into by clicking the little play arrow.

I’m still not sure what I think of the whole thing. Shocked, that’s the first feeling that comes to mind. I know MTV no longer plays music videos, and the whole music video idea seems to have faded out to some extent. But what Lady Gaga and Beyonce have done is much more than simply a music video; It’s a short film. It’s nearly ten minutes long to start, and I’m kind of left thinking about their motivation for the project.

Billboard had the following to say about it: “Lady Gaga and Beyoncé unveiled the video for their “Telephone” collaboration on Thursday night (Mar. 11), and it more than measures up to the hype. Directed by Gaga’s “Paparazzi” video helmer Jonas Akerlund, the “Telephone” clip is chock full of intrigue, prison fights, makeout scenes, mass poisoning and plenty of skin-baring versions of what you might call “outfits” (if strategically placed caution tape counts as such).”

(more…)

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John Mayer: what can you say. Personally he drives me nuts and I would rather do almost anything else than have to listen to him. However, in addition to the sound of his voice making me cringe, Mr. Mayer has made a few very public missteps as of late.

“John Mayer did some damage control on his Twitter [recently], apologizing for controversial statements he made in a “raw” interview with Playboy.” (Rolling Stone)

He got explicit with Playboy magazine, using some choice metaphors when speaking about his sex life with Jessica Simpson, as well as some dirty details regarding his preference for white women. He also described a “make out” session with Perez Hilton that he initiated. Enough said about that, though the two kinda seem made for each other…

However, the worst was still yet to come. In the interview that John gave with Playboy he continued on to reference a “hood pass” and renamed it using the ‘N’ word, which did not go over well at all.

It was that last statement and its fallout that had Mayer backpedaling. “I am sorry that I used the word. And it’s such a shame that I did because the point I was trying to make was in the exact opposite spirit of the word itself. It was arrogant of me to think I could intellectualize using it, because I realize that there’s no intellectualizing a word that is so emotionally charged,” Mayer tweeted. He added, “I think it’s time to stop trying to be so raw in interviews… It started as an attempt to not let the waves of criticism get to me, but it’s gotten out of hand and I’ve created somewhat of a monster. I wanted to be a blues guitar player. And a singer. And a songwriter. Not a shock jock. I don’t have the stomach for it.” Mayer also apologized during his concert last week in Nashville, which is available on Ustream.

(more…)

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So they’ve re-done the massive hit “We are the world.” However, this new version has been met with much acclaim as well as criticism.

2010

1985

25 years after the original, the new version has attracted millions upon millions of views online, and 121,000 comments and counting. The song premiered during the opening ceremony for the Vancouver Olympics.

Beyonce and Jay-Z were invited to take part in the new version of the song, but declined. Jay-Z told MTV that the original version was too sacred to him. “I think ‘We Are the World’ is like [Michael Jackson's] ‘Thriller’ to me. I don’t ever wanna see it touched.” He added, “Some things are just untouchable. It was a valiant effort, but for me, it’s gonna be untouchable.”

Jay-Z’s point of view is easily understandable, and I’m sure many of the critics of the new version feel something similar. Others have also pointed out that there aren’t enough high-profile or A-list singers involved. And that the original was distinct while blending the voices involved. You knew exactly what artist was singing when.

Lionel Richie responded to the idea that this classic song should never have been messed with by saying: “What’s a classic? To the next generation, it’s just an old song,” he told USA Today. “Why not bring in Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers and let them address the issues? We can pass the baton and empower the next generation to take up arms and have a legacy with this.”

I understand and yet wholly disagree with Lionel on this point. I realize that with time things are often developed and improved upon. However, this song is truly a classic, associated with a particular place in time and history. It transcends generations and is truly a part of America’s music history. Lionel has taken the seemingly capitalist standpoint, and it seems greedy and a bit tawdry for such a poignant song to be highlighted by the Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus, and the auto tuning of Lil Wayne, and other rappers. Not to mention Lil Wayne is now in jail…

All in all, I think they should have left well enough alone, but that’s just my opinion. Check out both versions and let us know which you like better.

T. Lynn

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Is anyone else sick of the money making machine that has leapt onto the scene since Michael Jackson’s death – it started with the movie (which was released only 4 months after his death), then a Christmas album released in October – yes, OCTOBER. Not really the holiday season yet, but that’s another issue entirely… Finally, even a reality show is being created!?!?

Jackson 5 – ‘Ultimate Christmas Collection’

Ok, Michael Jackson WAS the King of Pop, and aside from his personal life and the issues that he had, his music still strikes a chord across the world. However, since Michael’s passing – he’s bigger than ever! For weeks after his death I heard various Michael Jackson and Jackson 5 tunes being blasted… constantly. Everywhere I turned there was Michael – all day on various radio stations, from people’s cars, in stores, and the list goes on and on. America was in mourning. But at some point, enough is enough and the reaction changes from remembrance to irritation. I agree he should be remembered for his contribution to music and its long lasting effect on our culture. Yes, even as a young girl I had pants with all sorts of crazy zippers that I likened to Michael Jackson’s attire. They were bright yellow and my favorite. This was the 80′s, and I was 6, but still – they were awesome…

Anyways, I digress… while tooling around on the Internet I discovered…

The Jack5ons – A Family Dynasty
(Yes the #5 is deliberate), to premiere on December 13th on A&E.

“Behind the headlines lies a captivating family, whose lives have been unwillingly played out before cameras for decades. After 40 years in the business together, Jackie, Jermaine, Tito and Marlon have sold more than 250 million albums worldwide. Now, the brothers allow unprecedented access into their world as they record new material and rehearse for a concert celebrating the 40th anniversary of The Jackson Five. The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty will chronicle the brothers’ relationships with each other, their parents and their children, while also balancing the demands of their professional commitments and celebrity.”

Really? That’s what we need first and foremost this holiday season? More Christmas albums (which I personally detest), and another even lousier reality TV show – because we don’t have enough of those already… And where have his brothers been these last 40 years? Not doing anything relevant and noteworthy in the world of music obviously. And more obviously, if their lives have been so unwillingly played out before cameras for decades why are they asking for more?

In my estimation, all of this only cheapens Michael Jackson’s legacy as the ultimate entertainer he was, aside from his moral discretions, as well as fill the selfish motives for all those profiting from these ventures.

What do you think – should Michael be left to rest in peace or have his memory flaunted about to make every last penny off his legacy?

T. Lynn

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This recent post over at NBC LA managed to spark quite a conversation among the Music Jobs team…

Rihanna confessed that she still misses Chris Brown even after he beat her bloody in a violent Grammy night fight. “There are a lot of … places that we’ve been together, music, different things that come up that are reminders of your ex,” she told Atlanta radio station Q100 according to People.com. “When [his music] comes on the radio, I don’t … turn it off. I like his music.”

The starlet said she feels nostalgic for the relationship that dissolved into violence during a spat in February that left the pop princess bruised and bloody. Brown pleaded guilty to assault and was issued a restraining order and community service. Still, the singer said she misses the good times. “I’ve gotten over it, but there are definitely constant reminders … songs that were our favorite songs, or hit songs,” she told the radio station.

After Rihanna’s big TV appearance on Good Morning America, where she discussed the abusive relationship, she was heralded as a role model for women and young girls who have been or are being abused… Personally, as a woman, I hate to hear about any woman who is being physically abused. However, the above (and very recent) article, seems to me, to be nearly a complete 180 from her Good Morning America appearance. First she’s the heroine who escaped, and a role model for girls. Now she’s reverting to missing her “First Big Love” – as she refers to Brown. But has she seen a therapist to help her cope with the abuse and the mental repercussions? It definitely doesn’t seem like it. I don’t see how her reminiscing about the “good ole times” is something that she should be publicly talking about.

Every relationship has that period of sadness of “what could have been” after it ends, but if she has taken the standpoint to be a role model (which she appears to have actively decided to do), and spokeswoman so to speak, about domestic abuse in a relationship – this is not the way to go. The article is tinged with the feeling that she still has Chris Brown the loving boyfriend separated from Chris Brown the abusive boyfriend. She needs help in realizing that they are one in the same and that moving on is a necessity, otherwise she’s stepping into a pattern of abusive relationships for the rest of her life.

I hope she gets the help she needs – and either puts her hero status on the back burner or stops speaking out with sweet reminders of her relationship. Women in the music business are a growing number and a force to be reckoned with – hopefully Rihanna can take up that mantra and get back on track in her life and music.

T. Lynn

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