Tuesday, October 13, 2009

50 Cent adds DVD along with NEW CD


Though 50 Cent has sold nearly 30 million albums worldwide and scored eight Top 10 Hot 100 hits (including three #1s), he has not forgotten the hard times. So in these difficult economic days, the artist who debuted with Get Rich Or Die Tryin' will give something back to his fans by adding a free DVD of a full-length original movie to his much anticipated fourth album, Before I Self Destruct (Shady/Aftermath/Interscope), releasing Monday, November 23, 2009. In early September, 50 released the single "Baby By Me" produced by Polow da Don (Fergie, T.I., Ludacris).

The gritty 90-minute film, also titled Before I Self Destruct, written, directed and starring Curtis Jackson (aka 50 Cent), is a coming of age story about an inner city youth raised by a hardworking single mother. When his dream of becoming a basketball player fails to materialize, he finds himself employed in a supermarket. After his mother is tragically gunned down, Clarence (played by Jackson) is consumed by revenge and takes up a life of crime in order to support his younger brother.

But 50 Cent is offering even more for hip-hop fans with Before I Self Destruct. For a limited time, the package will also include a second DVD featuring "Two Turntables And A Microphone: The Life And Death Of Jam Master Jay," a documentary about 50 Cent's late mentor and friend. Hip-hop pioneer Jam Master Jay of Run-DMC gave 50 Cent his first big break in music by signing him to JMJ Records in the late 1990s.

Whitney Houston's going on Tour!


On the heels of her critically acclaimed, internationally chart-topping album I Look To You, Whitney Houston announced today the first leg of an eagerly anticipated European tour, her first major tour in more than 11 years. The UK concerts will be the must see shows of this decade as Houston returns to the stage to perform classic hits alongside her latest songs. I Look To You will be released in the UK on October 19, just one day after a massive appearance on the hit program The X Factor.

"This is my first full tour since the My Love Is Your Love tour and I am so excited to be performing for my fans around the world after all this time. I am putting together a great show and cannot wait to perform the songs from my new album I Look To You along with some of your favourites," said Whitney Houston.

Her European tour will see her perform in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium as well as the UK, with territories to be announced shortly.

In the twenty-five years since she recorded her history-making debut album, Whitney Houston has become a superstar, a legend, an icon. One of the bestselling female artists of all time, she has sold over 140 million albums worldwide and is the most awarded female artist in history with 411 awards to her name. Her longtime producer Clive Davis encouraged her to record her recent release I Look To You which has topped charts across the world.

TOUR DATES and TICKET ON-SALE DETAILS

Thursday, April 8 Manchester, UK Manchester Evening News Arena
Sunday, April 11 Glasgow, UK SECC
Tuesday, April 13 Birmingham, UK LG Arena
Thursday, April 22 Newcastle, UK Metro Radio Arena
Sunday, April 25 London, UK 02 Arena

Ticket On-Sale Information
All tickets go on-sale Friday, October 16 at 9am

For the Love of Ray J Returns!


Last season, Ray J was introduced to 14 beautiful women with hopes of finding his true soul mate. We all had our favorites but in the end Ray J only had eyes for Cocktail. After going through numerous eliminations, tears, and even a couple of fights, viewers across the country tuned in to see Ray J give his last champagne glass to that one special lady. The finale episode was the highest rated telecast on cable for the night and averaged 4.4 million total viewers. At the reunion everything seemed great for the happy couple, but unfortunately the love didn't last. Now Ray J is back and teaming up with VH1 again to find the woman of his dreams. With a new crop of gorgeous females from around the country, Ray J is determined to find love a second time around on "For The Love of Ray J 2" premiering Monday, November 2 at 9:00 PM*.

"For The Love of Ray J 2" will bring 19 beautiful single ladies to Ray J's luxurious mansion in the Hollywood Hills. With the help of VH1, Ray J will be able to see first-hand who can handle his fast-paced celebrity lifestyle. From hitting the hottest spots in LA to seeing if they can deal with the pressures of being Ray J's girl, these women will be put to the test. Every week the ladies will get a chance to convince Ray J that they can keep up with his life in the spotlight and that they will do anything "For The Love of Ray J 2."

Beginning Tuesday, October 27 fans can catch a sneak peek of the season's first episode on VH1.com - six days before the on-air premiere.

Hip Hop Summit in Houston


This week, Russell Simmons, Dr. Benjamin Chavis, the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN) and Walmart will convene the national Hip-Hop Summit on Financial Empowerment entitled "Get Your Money Right" in Houston. The event will offer valuable and timely financial information from financial experts, celebrities and community leaders. Free to the public, the summit will take place Sat., Oct. 17 at the Granville M. Sawyer Auditorium on the campus of Texas Southern University, 3100 Cleburne Street, Houston, Texas 27403. Doors open at 12:00 p.m.

Financial literacy is critical as multicultural communities are disproportionately impacted by the economic downturn. For example, the unemployment rate has increased and the share of the working-age population that is employed has fallen more for immigrant Latinos. In addition, the African-American job loss exceeds one million as a result of the recession, representing more than 60 percent of the total increase in the number of those unemployed.

"The recession continues to hit the minority communities the hardest and without financial literacy, those communities will not be able to move forward to improve their standards of living," said Russell Simmons, chairman and co-founder of HSAN. "The 'Get Your Money Right' Hip-Hop Summit in Houston will be the perfect opportunity for leaders in the Hip-Hop community to share invaluable information about financial empowerment."

"At Walmart, we understand the importance of financial management. This is why we continue to strive to provide our communities with resources and products at affordable prices to help individuals manage their personal finances," said Ron Acosta, regional vice president, Southwest Division, Walmart. "Our partnership with HSAN in this event and ongoing financial literacy programs, along with expanded financial products, services and locations, are an extension of our core mission to help people save money, so they can live better."

Confirmed artists and celebrities scheduled to participate in the Hip-Hop Summit on Financial Empowerment in Houston include Russell Simmons, BET's Alesha Renee, Slim Thug, and Dr. Benjamin Chavis. 97.9 The Box is the exclusive radio partner for the Hip-Hop Summit in Houston.

Actor Matt Damon brings clean water to India