COVER ARTWORK REVEALED FOR JUSTIN BIEBER'S "BELIEVE"

Official Artwork for Believe

At last an official Cover has been chosen for Justin Bieber's eagerly-awaited third Disc, Believe. A couple options were presented to Fans to choose from and I think the Beliebers made the right choice, don't you?

With first Single Boyfriend already peaking at number two in the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Chart, also reaching number one on the Canadian Hot 100, we can expect Collaborations with Heavyweights Ludacris, Drake, Taylor Swift, Usher, Kanye West and possibly even Cody Simpson and Lil Wayne too. Believe gets a release June 19, 2012 via Universal Music Canada.

(Photo credit: Universal Music)

USHER SPOTTED SHOPPING IN TORONTO

Usher in Toronto - May 2011

Boy loves to shop! R&B-Pop Legend Usher made his way into Toronto today from Cleveland and with a day of rest scheduled before his OMG Tour takes over at Air Canada Centre for a third time Saturday night (he played two sold-out Shows there late November), he had only one thing on his mind.  That thing being of a Retail persuasion. 

Usher was spotted earlier in the day grabbing a Coffee at Starbucks in Yorkville, before shopping along Bloor Street.  Dressed in a Long-sleeve Camouflage Tee and Shorts, he was all about comfort on this warm, overcast day and Photographer Tyrone Kerr was there to catch it all!

Around Dinnertime, he and his Handler made their way over to Hazelton Lanes, just one day after Nicole Richie caused a stir there at TNT's 20th Anniversary Party. Perusing the upscale Rock 'n' Roll Fashions of Serpentine, Usher was seen leaving with a few Shopping Bags in-hand, although he hid himself from Fans hoping to meet him.

ANTONIO "L.A." REID POSSIBLY BRINGING MARIAH CAREY BACK TO SONY MUSIC?

Mariah Carey in Toronto - March 2010

Antonio "L.A." Reid, who has been responsible for shaping the careers of many a great Pop Star including P!nk, Usher, Justin Bieber, Rihanna, Bon Jovi, TLC and Avril Lavigne, announced today that he will be leaving Island Def Jam effective immediately as its Chairman. He will be working again with Sony Music, having prior overseen the careers of Artists under that label.  There are speculations that he will be a Judge on Simon Cowell's U.S. version of The X Factor.

According to Roger Friedman at Showbiz411, Mariah Carey whom Reid aided in scoring one of the biggest comebacks ever seen in Pop Music in 2005 with The Emancipation of Mimi, will be headed back to her original label Sony Music.  She must however first complete her contractual obligations to Island Def Jam (Univeral Music) with just one more album left, due some time later this year.

Although Island Def Jam did an amazing job with Carey, perhaps indeed it is time for a change with the lackluster performance of her last few releases under the imprint, including E=MC² and Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel.  Could be great!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

INTERVIEW: MINDLESS BEHAVIOR (PICS & VIDEO)

Mindless Behavior - Toronto, March 2011

It's been over two years in the making, but Pop Music will soon be embracing the debut of a new Teen phenomenon, Mindless Behavior. The Boy Band, three parts Los Angelenos and one part Philadelphian, have won the praise of industry Icons like Diddy and Janet Jackson, the latter who has handpicked them to join her on twelve key dates for her NUMBER ONES: Up Close and Personal Tour. Just having landed in Toronto after their first stop-off in Chicago earlier this week, I caught up backstage with the Boys of Mindless Behavior - their first ever Canadian interview - at a venue Midtown, a private Showcase organized by Faze Magazine.

Prodigy

Starting off our session with a quick Photoshoot, I was amazed firstly by the level of seasoning these Boys showed, comfortably throwing poses at the Camera - each defining who they were on a personal level. Prodigy, decidedly the lead Vocalist of the group, is confident and understated, giving me full-on Diddy. Princeton is colourful and outgoing, his hair actually reminiscent of a young Prince. Roc Royal is grounded and approachable. Ray Ray although the quietest and perhaps most endearing, is by no means shy on-stage.

The Boys explain to me the process of how they came to be Mindless Behavior with Princeton telling me, "Roc Royal and I were chosen out of 600 kids by Walter Millsap (Beyoncé) and Vincent Herbert (Lady Gaga) first, then came Prodigy from Philadelphia who was discovered on YouTube by our Choreographer. Ray Ray joined our group last.". Life hasn't been all Escalades and Red Carpets though since being signed to Interscope Records by Jimmy Iovine. He adds that "for two years we have been going to classes for Vocal Lessons, Media Training and Choreography. We're all being Homeschooled now.".

JUSTIN BIEBER IN FEBRUARY ISSUE OF "VANITY FAIR"

Justin Bieber in Vanity Fair

Justin Bieber surprises on the cover of February's Vanity Fair Magazine. Lisa Robinson chats with the teen Superstar and those around him like mentor Usher, his Mother Pattie Mallette and Bodyguard Kenny Hamilton, giving us a picture of how the 16 year-old Singer is coping with Fame. Art Streiber takes some eyebrow-raising Portraits of Bieber also including the one to the left, with a set of presumably young female hands grabbing at him.  Another sees him with chest-exposed through an unbuttoned shirt.

When asked about the hoards of female fans who constantly are screaming for him, Bieber says "Not trying to be arrogant, but if I walked down the street and a girl saw me, she might take a look back because maybe I’m good-looking, right?”. Somewhat true, but perhaps miscontrued easily as arrogance still?

The Stratford native also fawns over Michael Jackson praising him as one of his greatest influences (he even has a sticker of Jackson on his mirror), but generally looks up to "people who were black artists—that’s what I like. But I like their voices and I like how they entertain—it’s not about what color they are.”   Again, a bit of youthful incorrectness, which could again be misunderstood?

Hamilton reveals that on his days off, Bieber tries to focus on being a regular Teenager and being his Bodyguard, he often has to oversee "covert operations" eluding to dates with Girls. I only hope rumoured 18 year-old girlfriend Selena Gomez whom he was seen cavorting with on a Boat over the Holidays, doesn't take it personal.

The issue hits newsstands everywhere January 11, 2011. 

Read a preview of the piece here.

(Photo credit: Art Streiber/Vanity Fair)

JUSTIN BIEBER - MY WORLD 2.0 & MY WORLDS ACOUSTIC REVIEW

Putting all reservations aside, I decided to be a bit adventurous this Holiday and review Teen Star Justin Bieber’s My World 2.0 disc back-to-back with his My Worlds Acoustic, the latter released late November.

Walking in with low expectations, I came out rather surprised how good My World 2.0 actually is, after having been immune to Bieber Fever all this time. From a Pop standpoint, the album is by all standards a solid effort, nailing all essential marks – tight production, memorable melodies and front and center, good vocals which are conscious of never being too showy and thus, non-relatable.

The hits come one after the other right from the get-go with infectious Baby (ft. Ludacris) and The Stereotypes’ Electro-Pop stunner Somebody to Love, perhaps the strongest track on the set. Clever in its shout-outs to couples who belong together like “Sonny & Cher, I got you babe”, Stuck in the Moment is a convincing plea why for young Girls across the world, there is only Bieber and no other Casa Nova. Piano Pop-Rock Ballad U Smile slows things down a bit, giving the then 15 year-old Usher prodigy a chance to show his vocal prowess.

HAPPY WORLD AIDS DAY

Jennifer Hudson 

Happy World AIDS Day!  Wait. That's inappropriate isn't it? According a 2009 Report from the United Nations, it is estimated that 33.3 million people around the World are infected with HIV/AIDS and that is no laughing matter.  Although globally fewer people overall are dying of AIDS due to advancements in Medicine since the 1990s which slow down the progression of HIV to AIDS, there still is a steady increase in the number of people living with HIV around the World.

Some of our favourite Celebrities have teamed together to raise money for Children in Africa who are infected with AIDS. Alicia Keys, Jennifer Hudson, Justin Timberlake, Kim Kardashian, Bronson Pelletier, Usher, Lady Gaga and many more have staged their own Digital Deaths today, which means that until they raise $1 million from their Fans via Text Message Donations, there will be no more online communication between them and their Fans through Social Utilities like Facebook and Twitter.  And to think Hudson just lost all that weight and can't even enjoy it now!

Click here for details on how to donate to and learn about the cause. It's easy to donate and even my favourite Starbucks has created their own World AIDS Day initiative where $0.05 from each Hand-Crafted Beverage (made at the Bar) sold today will be donated to the Global Fund.

(Photo credit: BuyLife.Org)

USHER ARRIVES AT "OMG TOUR" AFTERPARTY IN TORONTO

Sometimes when the Cameras are off, Celebrities aren't always so fan-attentive and surprisingly, R&B/Pop Star Usher is no exception to this sad reality.  The Singer who has been in Toronto since Sunday in the west-end of the City, is in-town for his OMG Tour at Air Canada Centre.  In the below Clip, he can be seen ignoring Fans in waiting here, on his way to a grand entrance at his Concert After Party at Entertainment District's Lot 332 Night Club.  

Prior to entering the venue, he sat in his Escalade, remaining incognito while Fans waited outside.  It is said that venue Security had implemented a No Media/No Camera Policy as per his request also.

Playing a sold-out show in Toronto which included guests like Hip-Hop star Drake, Usher is slated to make a stop-off at Montreal's Bell Centre next.

  Watch a v. brief Reader-submitted Clip of Usher arriving at Lot 332 below:

(Video credit: Mr. Will-W. via Reader Submission)

JUSTIN BIEBER IS TOPS AT 2010 AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS

Justin Bieber performing at 2010 American Music Awards

America, Land of Opportunity. America has spoken and its people have chosen Canadian teen sensation Justin Bieber as their Artist of the Year at ABC's 2010 American Music Awards. Pulling a complete shocker, 16 year-old Bieber became the youngest Artist ever to be award with the honour and he was a multiple winner this evening taking awards home for Favourite Pop/Rock Male Artist and Favourite Breakout Artist too. In accepting his award for Artist of the Year, Bieber asked his Mentor Usher to join him on stage. Usher too won an award for Favourite R&B Album (Raymond v. Raymond) earlier in the evening.

Other winners tonight included a straight-haired Taylor Swift who won Favourite Country Female Artist, The Black Eyed Peas who won Favourite Pop/Rock Group and Rihanna as Favourite R&B Female Artist. 

 For a complete list of winners, visit the official site for the American Music Awards.

(Photo credit: Getty Images)