WHITNEY HOUSTON FUNERAL TO BE BROADCAST ONLINE 12 PM EST

A Hearse arrives at Whitney Houston's Funeral

Fans have adorned the exterior of New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey with their own personal tributes to their beloved Diva, just one week after she was found dead at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles.  

Said to attend the Funeral today are the likes of Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Elton John, Alicia Keys, David Bowie and more. Mentor Clive Davis and her The Bodyguard Co-star Kevin Costner are to speak at the Service.  Ex-Husband Bobby Brown has been invited by Houston's Family to attend.

CNN will be broadcasting live from the site of the Funeral, which begins at 12:00 PM EST. 

Click here to watch.

(Photo credit: CNN)

FIRST PHOTOS: BLUE IVY CARTER

Beyoncé & Blue Ivy Carter

Blue Ivy Carter, better known as the Future of Hip-Hop/R&B, made her debut online today and in a generous move which didn't involve a negotiation with US Weekly or People Magazine, Jay-Z and Beyoncé have released some gorgeous candid photos of the special little Girl via Tumblr.

You can visit Blue Ivy Carter's own Tumblr Page here.

(Photo credit: Beyoncé Knowles)

NEW MUSIC: JAY-Z - GLORY (FT. BLUE IVY CARTER)

Beyoncé in Toronto - July 2009

Talk about Proud Parenting! Jay-Z fired-up a new track today to commemorate the birth of his Baby Girl, Blue Ivy. The Track titled Glory features a sample of seven-pound B.I.C. (Blue Ivy Carter) herself, in which she can be heard clearly towards the end. "My greatest creation is you", the Proud Papa raps. We learn that she was conceived in Paris on the Track and that also the Couple had experienced some difficulties conceiving prior.

US Weekly cleverly helped us figure out what it might be that Jay-Z and Beyoncé chose Blue Ivy for a name. Jay-Z has long declared his love for the colour Blue and above this has even named one of his Discs, Blueprint released on September 11, 2011. Numerologists will say that Roman Numberal "IV" (Ivy) - four - has been important for the Couple. Beyoncé is born on September 4th, while Jay-Z is born on December 4th. They even married on April 4, 2008. Beyonce's latest Album 4 also is her fourth solo Disc.

Check out Glory in full below:

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W. | Audio content: Universal Music)

BEYONCÉ DELIVERS BABY GIRL: REPORTED NAME "BLUE IVY CARTER"

Beyoncé in Toronto - July 2009

Staff at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City are already taking precautions reportedly for their big Celebrity Patient, starting first with taping-up Security Cameras.  Also, it is said that Staff are being asked to check-in their Cell Phones at the beginning of their shifts.  The Hospital annually delivers 4,000 Babies but none are as high-profile as this one!

One Staffer tells New York Daily News that Jay-Z and Beyoncé have paid $1.3 million (US) to have the fourth floor allocated for their own private use and the biggest telltale sign that she plans to deliver her Baby there is that Security Guards have been seen patrolling outside the Hospital. 

UPDATE: Who run the World? GIRLS!  It has been confirmed by none other than Rihanna that Beyoncé indeed has delivered a healthy Baby Girl.  The Baby was born earlier this evening and proud Auntie Rih was among the first to break the news!  Finally, we can put all speculation to rest!

BEYONCÉ & JAY-Z SPOTTED IN BROOKLYN NEW YEAR'S EVE

Buttermilk Channel confirms Beyoncé  & Jay-Z spotting

With all the rumours of Beyoncé having gone into labour last week, all that amounted to little as Queen B herself was spotted in Brooklyn last night at famed Buttermilk Channel eating Foie Gras and Lobster with Jay-Z. Decadence.  This was confirmed by the Restaurant's resident Tweeter.

The Restaurant was named as the "Best New Restaurant in Brooklyn" by Time Out Magazine and has a hearty Menu known best perhaps for its Buttermilk Fried Chicken & Waffles and Seafood options.  Diners who partook in their three-course $85 New Year's Eve Menu last night might even have gotten a glimpse of the famous Couple.

That then raises the question, who is the high-profile Mystery Patient at St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital?

2011 VICTORIA'S SECRET FASHION SHOW RECAP

2011 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

One of the events I look forward to most every year is the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, where Music merges with the World of Women's Fashion into a slick, tightly-produced 60-minute Spectacle. This year Maroon 5, Nicki Minaj, Kanye West and Jay-Z joined the Victoria's Secret Angels in New York City for the Show taped earlier this month. 

Although many will argue that all of this is all Male-catering and Female-deprecating, I don't really see it that way.  The Show is a celebration of Beauty, Self-Love and Glamour.  The positivity that emanates from these Models is infectious and kinda makes me envious that there isn't a Victor's Secret!

Models who walked this year include: Miranda Kerr, Alessandra Ambrosio, Alessandra Ambrosio, Miranda Kerr, Doutzen Kroes, Adriana Lima, Candice Swanepoel, Anne Vyalitsina, Izabel Goulart, Erin Heatherton, Lily Aldridge, Chanel Iman, Karlie Kloss, Anja Rubik, Shanina Shaik, Constance Jablonski, Lily Donaldson, Karmen Pedaru, Emanuela De Paula, Cameron Russell, Toni Garrn, Liu Wen, Anais Mali, Joan Smalls, Maryna Linchuk, Lindsay Ellingson, Caroline Winberg, Sui He, Flavia de Oliveira, Lais Ribeiro, Bregje Heinen, Julia Stegner and Behati Prinsloo.

Kerr, Wife of Actor Orlando Bloom had the honour of wearing the Fantasy Treasure Bra designed by London Jewellers, valued at $2.5 million with 3,400 precious stones including Pearls, Diamonds, Aquamarines,and Citrines in white and yellow 18 Karat Gold, finished with tassel of Diamonds.

See the Bra below:

RIHANNA: TALK THAT TALK - REVIEW

Rihanna - Talk that Talk

Rihanna's sixth Disc arrives just as quickly as it can be forgotten. The Collection of eleven Tracks showcase the Barbadian Pop Princess vocally at her best, but her tireless ambition to remain relevant makes me question the necessity of releasing Talk that Talk this quickly.  It's clear that Music is a  Numbers Game with the Rihanna Navy, their being dead-set on whatever Milestone it is that they are trying to obtain in the Billboard ranks.

Are any of the Tracks on this Set remarkable?  In all honesty, no.  Anyone trying to convince me that first single We Found Love is Rihanna's  best work will be met with stiff resistance from me as I am a firm Believer that the Track is the product of a rushed Studio Session together with Calvin Harris. The Homage to early '90s House Music is recurring Motif on stronger potential Single, Where Have You Been, produced together with Dr. Luke and Harris.  The Track sounds v. much like where Pop  is right now in this David Guetta-dominated Era.

Despite catering much to a Dance Music-loving audience of late, Rihanna never forgets her Urban roots in bringing-out Jay-Z for the Titular Track (co-written with Diddy).  She wears her Caribbean Colours proudly on opening Track You Da One, another contribution from Super-Producer Dr. Luke.  Meanwhile, Watch n'Learn gives us that Sex-obsessed Rihanna whom we have grown to love, her commanding: "Just because I can't kiss back/Doesn't mean you can't kiss that" ...not really leaving much to the imagination.  Beyoncé-esque Birthday Cake clocking-in at 1:18 serves no real purpose other than proving that perhaps with a little less hastiness, something great could have come out of these Sessions.

Longtime Collaborators StarGate keep things sounding a bit familiar on Drunk on Love and Roc Me Out, relegated later in the Sequence and sounding a bit like that harder-hitting Rated R Album which I never loved in all  honesty.

Talk That Talk likely will garner that requisite Hit or two needed before Rihanna heads back to the Studio to churn-out yet another Album, rendering all of this all the more disposable.  Clocking-in a just-over 37 minutes, even her most loyal Fans would have to question whether or not they truly are getting the value they deserve.  The Disc will be released via Universal Music Canada on November 18, 2011.

NEW MUSIC: WATCH THE THRONE (FT. BEYONCÉ) - LIFT OFF

Watch the Throne Album Cover

We have a Lift Off!  After having successfully thwarted illegal downloads, Watch the Throne, the collaborative project between Hip-Hop Royalty Kanye West and Jay-Z have unleashed their new single Lift Off ft. Beyoncé. Their self-titled Disc was released earlier today versus what is traditionally known as New Release Tuesday.  The Track is the third single off the Album and likely will be the biggest hit so far off of it.

The Track certainly has all the theatrics and anticipation needed for a pairing this great ...including a Countdown!

Watch the Throne will be touring soon and visiting Toronto on September 24, 2011 at Air Canada Centre.

Listen to the Track in full below:

DRAKE'S "OVO FESTIVAL" BOASTS SURRPISE GUESTS ON CARIBANA WEEKEND

Drake at the 2011 JUNO Awards

Drake's OVO Festival at Molson Amphitheatre has secured its place as one of the biggest highlights of Caribana, now known as the Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival in Toronto.  Now in its second year, some are anticipating some big names to show-up tonight to the Show. Last year, the Audience were wowed by surprise performances from Jay-Z, Eminem and Beyoncé.

Expected to perform this year are acts like The Weekend, Rick Ross, NAS and Travis Porter but leave it to Drizzy himself to throw in a few surprises.  For one, Stevie Wonder was spotted flying in from Los Angeles yesterday and was seen by several Diners at Fusion hotspot Spice Route, known for its enticing Appetizers and $20 Chow Mein. I "wonder" though if he knew that he could get perhaps better and cheaper Chinese food over in Chinatown? Could the R&B/Soul legend himself be making an appearance at the OVO Festival?  We'll soon know!

Although some members of the Young Money Entertainment family, including Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne are due here in August, there also are rumours that they too might be lending their support.  Minaj surprised at Jay-Z show on Friday night, but it should be noted she is opening for Britney Spears tonight at Verizon Center in Washington, DC and likely won't be able to make it back to Toronto in-time tonight.  She will definitely be here on August 13th and 14th though.

BEYONCÉ HEADLINES 2011 GLASTONBURY FESTIVAL

Beyoncé at 2011 Glastonbury Festival

England got a special treat this year with Beyoncé headlining the Glastonbury Festival, spanning three days over the past weekend. 170,000 Music Lovers were in attendance live, while Fans internationally were able to watch the broadcast via the BBC.

Beyoncé wowed the Crowd, zipping through her Set which included a Destiny's Child Medley, If I Were a Boy/U Oughta Know, Single Ladies, Crazy in Love, a Cover of Kings of Leon's Sex on Fire, Run the World (Girls) and new Single Best Thing I Never Had.  

Gwyneth Paltrow and Beyoncé's Husband Jay-Z were spotted even cheering her on in the Audience.  And if you want to win a copy of her new CD 4, in stores next Tuesday, you can still do so by entering my Giveaway right here.

Check out her performance of Best Thing I Never Had below:

EMINEM, KATY PERRY, BRUNO MARS AND LADY GAGA AMONG NOMINEES FOR 53RD GRAMMYS

Bruno Mars at Kool Haus,
November 2010

A big congratulations goes out to my Boy Bruno Mars who exceeded all expectations with a total seven Grammy nominations, as announced last night at Club Nokia in Los Angeles.  Although he was ommited from the category of Best New Artist seeing that his album Doo-Wops & Hooligans was released just after the September 30, 2010 qualifying deadline, he more than made-up ground.  Mars scored nominations for Record of the Year for his collaboration with B.o.B. Nothin' on You, his Writing on Cee Lo's Forget You and his own singing on Best Male Pop Vocal for Just the Way You Are.  He also performed a quiet Acoustic version of that number one smash hit early on in last night's televised Concert.

Eminem was King of the Night with a total eleven nominations, including nods in the Grammys' most coveted categories: Record, Album and Song of the Year for both his album Recovery and mega-hit Love the Way You Lie (ft. Rihanna).  Rihanna also scored a nomination for Best Dance Recording with chart-topper Only Girl (in the World).

Other notable nominees include Country Act Lady Antebellum, which gained a lot of recognition with their Ballad Need You Now.  The group garnered six nominations also for Record, Album and Song of the Year alongside Rapper Jay-Z, who also had the distinction of six nods including Record of the Year for Empire State of Mind (ft. Alicia Keys).  Lady Gaga too received six nominations including Album of the Year with The Fame Monster, although what  arguably could be considered its biggest track Bad Romance, failed to receive nominations for Record and Song of the Year. 

Katy Perry who performed too at the Grammy Nominations Concert raised a few eyebrows when it was learned that her hits California Gurls and Teenage Dream, both among 2010's biggest hits, were overlooked for Record and Song of the Year.  Her album Teenage Dream however, earned a nomination for Album of the Year despite mixed reviews.  She is a strong contender for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for that album's title track.

NEW MUSIC: WILLOW SMITH - WHIP MY HAIR

Yes, seriously.  She's only nine years-old, but the Cameras have been all over her of late.  Willow Smith, daughter of Will and Jada Pinkett-Smith, only recently signed a deal with Jay-Z's RocNation (distributed via Sony Music/Columbia Records) and is now ready to unleash her debut single Whip My Hair.  I'll have you know that Smith actually co-wrote this track with new producer Jukebox.  Upon first listen, the track appears one part Beyoncé's Diva and all sorts of Rihanna, not surprising considering that both these ladies have received much musical guidance from the greatness that is Jay-Z.

Whip My Hair is perhaps catchy enough for Kids, but also just edgy enough for Urban crowd and has the honour of already reaching number 27 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart.  Do I think it'll be huge?  Not likely as she needs to take a cue from her idol Rihanna and work with a single that has a more singable/melodic hook - that much needed ingredient to that illusive Pop Gold.  Do I think though that this is mighty impressive for a nine year-old girl?  You bet.

Listen to Willow Smith's Whip My Hair (courtesy of Sony Music) below:

Our friends at Sony Music also have sent us this link to a Teaser Trailer for Whip My Hair. Click here to see it.

EMINEM AND JAY-Z SURPRISE AT DRAKE'S OVO FESTIVAL IN TORONTO

Molson Amphitheatre was where the action was at last night in Toronto on festive Caribana Weekend, where 23 year-old Canadian Hip-Hop darling Drake held his first-ever OVO (October's Very Own) Festival. The festival, which he hopes to hold annually, was named to commemorate his own birthday and those birthdays of his close friends born that month.

But get this - it wasn't just all about Drake last night. Coming out of nowhere were the same rapper-mogul who has guided his career, Jay-Z and eleven-time Grammy winning rapper Eminem joining Drake on stage during his set. Eminem rapped a verse on Drake's track Forever, before Jay-Z proceeded into his number one hit Run This Town. It is said that Beyoncé was also present, although she was mostly Backstage supporting her mogul husband.  She of course is no slouch herself, only recently being listed as number two on Forbes' Celebrity 100 list. Other rappers to make appearances during the set included Fabolous, Young Jeezy, Bun B, Kardinal Offishall and Rick Ross. I'm no Hip-Hop fan, but even I recognize that's a huge deal and exceptional value for the price of admission. Historic.

Watch a fan-uploaded YouTube clip below of the landmark moment: