Kim Kardashian, Kanye West Tweet ‘His and Hers’ Gold Bling
My journalism career has advanced in ways I never could have dreamt. that a one-time newspaper reporter who spent his time covering government, uncovering corruption and witnessing crime scenes; could end up writing about high-end jewelry, the finest timepieces, luxury and fashion seems remarkable when looking back. But at the same time it feels quite normal. my inquisitive nature led me away from newspapers and into magazines. my first such job was at a design and architecture trade magazine where I received a first-hand education and appreciation of how good, innovative design can actually make the world a better place. It’s something I took with me to a jewelry trade publication where I spent nine years. during this time I traveled the world acquiring knowledge about the diverse and expansive jewelry industry and now I am able to share this knowledge with you. like Robert Frost I took the road less traveled. and that has made all the difference. in addition to this blog, you can find me at my “Jewelry News Network” blog and facebook page and on Twitter at jewelrynewsnet.
Kim Kardashian, Kanye West Tweet ‘His and Hers’ Gold Bling
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Categories: News and Events Tags: architecture, kanye west, newspapers, nine years, robert frost, twitter
Getting to Know Drake and Lil Wayne
The rapper known as Drake, was originally known as Aubrey Drake Graham. He was born to Dennis, an African American from Memphis Tennessee, and Sandi, who is of White Jewish heritage, on October 24, 1986, in Toronto, Ontario. his parents divorced, when Aubrey was only five years old. Drake was raised in the Jewish heritage, while he learned acting at Forest Hill Collegiate Institute. He was also privileged to appreciate the African American experience, as most of his summers were spent with his father in Memphis.
He was originally known as an actor playing, the role of Jimmy Brooks in the television series Degrassi: the Next Generation, and signed his first recording contract in June of 2009.
His first studio recording, Thank Me Later, was released in June 2010, by Young Money Studios, which is owned by Lil Wayne. the album debuted at Number One on the Billboard’s top 200 list. his second release Take Care, was dropped on November of 2011, and has since gone platinum.
Drake is recognized as one of the most popular artists in the hip-hop music genre, and has worked with several others including, Jay-Z, label mates, Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne, Kanye West, Rick Ross and Eminem. He has also written and collaborated with Jamie Foxx, and Alicia Keys. his distinctive voice and styling can often be heard in samples and remixes that are in regular rotation on various radio stations.
Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. who may be better known as Lil Wayne, was born on September 27, 1982. He started his career at the age of nine, when he joined Cash Money Records, as half of the duo, called the B. Gz. After joining the Hot Boys, that included rappers Juvenile, Young Turk, and B. G. , in 1997, the album Guerrilla Warfare was released to significant acclaim in 1999. Lil Wayne also released his debut album Tha Block is Hot, that quickly went Platinum, with over one million copies sold in the U. S. his next two albums, Lights Out and 500 Degreez were released in 2000, and 2002 respectively. both albums were only certified Gold, but his popularity was reclaimed in 2004, with the release of Tha Carter. Tha Carter III, the second follow-up to the original, was certified Platinum after its’ first week of release in 2008, and it won the Grammy for best Rap Album of the year.
Both Drake and Lil Wayne acknowledge different influences in their lives. Drake openly states that he was affected by the divorce of his parents, and realized that he had to be supportive to his mother, whom he loves dearly. in fact, a European concert tour was cancelled in 2010, when his mother became ill.
Lil Wayne’s influences appear to be as diverse as his recordings. He claims his early influences are rappers U. N. L. V and Pimp Daddy, as well as the rock group Nirvana. He recently released a rock album with limited success.
Getting to Know Drake and Lil Wayne
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Categories: News and Events Tags: kanye west, label mates, memphis tennessee, music genre, rick ross
Jay-Z Scores U2, Kanye West for ‘NBA 2K13′ Soundtrack
U2 will be rocking arenas in a whole new way this fall.
The band’s “Elevate” will make an appearance in “NBA 2k13,” the latest installment of the popular basketball gaming franchise — as part of a soundtrack curated by the game’s executive producer, Jay-Z.
“I’m not sure if they’ve ever been in a video game,” 2K Sport’s vice-president of marketing, Jason Argent, told Billboard.com. (The band came close in 2001, when the track made the soundtrack of “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider” — the game’s big-screen adaptation.)
Jay brought a number of diverse artists to the game soundtrack, ranging from indie rock (Phoenix, Dirty Projectors) to electro (Daft Punk, Justice) to hip-hop, with classics such as Nas’ “The World is Yours” and Eric B. and Rakim’s “I Ain’t No Joke” sharing time with a number of hits from Hov himself. The Throne collaborator Kanye West makes several appearances, with “Amazing,” “We Major” and recent track “Mercy” — and Coldplay adds to the arena-rock contingent with “Viva La Vida.” It’s the latest curatorial project for the MC, who is also directing the Philadelphia made in America festival this September.
Jay-Z Adds Drake, run DMC to made in America Lineup
But according to Argent, Jay’s involvement extended well beyond the music.
“Jay is completely obsessed with authenticity,” he said. “So right off the bat, he said ‘Look, I love this franchise and I love this game, but if you want me to be involved, I need to be truly involved. I want to actually help make this game.”
The hip-hop mogul gave input on what Argent dubbed “what happens off the court,” making his mark on intro and outro videos, game menus and more. Just don’t look for a digital Jay sitting in the stands, cheering on his Brooklyn Nets.
“We wanted him to truly be involved from a behind-the-scenes production standpoint,” Argent said. “[With] his involvement within the league, he brought such a level of understanding to what we were trying to accomplish… I think the final product will reflect that level of excitement that he had.”
The game is due Oct. 2 from 2K Sports. see the “NBA 2K13″ track list below.
The Hours – “Ali in the Jungle” too Short – “Blow The Whistle (Main)” Eric B. and Rakim – “I Ain’t No Joke” Phoenix – “1901″ Jay-Z – “Pump It Up (Freestyle)” Puff Daddy and the Family – “Victory” (feat. Notorious B.I.G. & Busta Rhymes Daft Punk – “Around the World (Radio Edit)” Santigold – “Shove It” (feat. Spank Rock) Kanye West – “Amazing” Jay-Z – “Run this Town” The Dirty Projectors – “Stillness is the Move” Nas – “The World is Yours” Coldplay – “Viva La Vida” Roy Ayers – “We Live in Brooklyn, Baby” Justice – “Stress” Jay-Z – “The Bounce” Kanye West – “We Major” (feat. Nas & really Doe) Mobb Deep – “Shook ones, Pt. II” Meek mill – “Ima Boss — Instrumental” Kanye West – “Mercy” (feat. Big Sean, Pusha T & 2 Chainz) U2 – “Elevation” Jay-Z – “On to the next One” Jay-Z – “Public Service Announcement” Jay-Z – “H.a.M. (Instrumental)”
Jay-Z Scores U2, Kanye West for ‘NBA 2K13′ Soundtrack
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Categories: News and Events Tags: arena rock, billboard, collaborator, contingent, game soundtrack, kanye west
BET Awards Recap: Jay-Z Jokes About Taylor Swift, Whitney Houston Tributed
There were plenty of memorable moments at the 2012 BET Awards, ranging from Jay-Z poking fun at Kanye West about Taylor Swift-gate, and Whitney Houston receiving a moving tribute at the close of the show. more details on the biggest moments of the night, after the jump.
Jay-Z and Kanye West Win, Share a Moment
Kanye West and Jay-Z are known for being selective with their award show appearances–they both skipped the 2012 Grammys despite multiple nominations and wins–but The Throne showed up at the BET Awards on Sunday night (July 1) where they took the stage together to accept the trophy for Best Group.
West had just wrapped a ferocious performance with his G.O.O.D. Music crew, which found him spitting acapella and touching on everything from Whitney Houston to the Miami Heat winning the NBA Finals. he returned to the stage to accept honors, reminding the audience that he has a reputation for saying the wrong thing on stage. he teased that Jay usually keeps him in line (“I wish Jay-Z was here to say something politically correct for me”) and cue Hov’s entrance to applause from the crowd as he joined ‘Ye to give thanks.
The Throne even triumphed over Beyoncé for Video of the Year honors and Jay had some jokes to throw around during his acceptance speech. after receiving honors for the Maybach-torching, Spike Jonze-directed “Otis” clip from their 2011 album Watch the Throne, the stage was set for a callback to West’s most infamous awards-show moment.
“Excuse me, Kanye, I’mma let you continue, but … ” Jay joked to Kanye while passing the microphone. Eruptive crowd laughter ensued as Jay referenced West’s microphone snatch from Taylor Swift to defend Beyoncé at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards. Beyoncé’s reaction this time was one of uproarious laughter and clapping.
“I’m trying to defend your girl!” Kanye joked back. when the win was announced, Jay threw a few fake punches at Beyoncé in a playful show of affection and competition between hip-hop’s royal couple. In contrast, he tapped Kanye’s current love, Kim Kardashian, on the shoulder on his way to the stage when she went in for a hug.
Whitney Houston TributedMore than three hours into the 2012 BET Awards, it was finally time for the Whitney Houston tribute. A lone black-and-white image of the late legend was dropped down from the ceiling, and out came Mariah Carey, dressed all in gold, smiling, her eyes clearly moist with tears.
“The first time I heard Whitney’s voice, I was mesmerized like the rest of the world. Just an unknown, budding singer myself, I was captivated by the power in her range, the richness of her tone and her unique ability to wrap a lyric in emotion,” Carey said. Carey talked for a while about Houston, sometimes laughing a bit as she recalled their first meeting backstage at the Grammys and the often-talked-about rumors of a diva rift between the two singers.
Ultimately, they worked together on the “Prince of Egypt” soundtrack, winning an Academy Award. “We really got to know each other as people. Not divas — OK, maybe occasionally it did get a little diva-ish — but that was just for laughs,” she said, before adding that Houston kept it real, which is why they got along so well. “If you really knew Whitney, you couldn’t help but love her,” she said.
The last time Carey said she saw her was exactly a year ago in London. “I miss my friend. I miss hearing her voice and laughter. But we’ll always have the music,” Carey said, struggling to fight back tears as the crowd clapped her on in encouragement. “We’ll always have that voice we all fell in love with. She inspired us all.”
Her protégés Monica and Brandy then took the stage. Monica performed “I Love the Lord,” and Brandy came out with a set of backup dancers doing the classic Houston dance tracks “I’m your Baby Tonight” and “I Wanna Dance with Somebody.”
Houston’s brother, Gary Houston, performed before introducing their mother, Cissy Houston, who sang “Bridge over Troubled Water.”
“This is for you, Nip,” she said, referencing Whitney’s nickname.
BET Awards Recap: Jay-Z Jokes About Taylor Swift, Whitney Houston Tributed
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Categories: News and Events Tags: applause, crowd, july 1, kanye west, trophy
How Did Kanye West Gain Popularity?
As we know, Kanye West is a world-famous rapper, who was born in the United States. He has a great fan following worldwide. Some social networking websites like Twitter and Facebook are more than enough in order to get to know about the kind of popularity that Kanye West is enjoying as a rapper. mr. West made his debut in the year 2004. The album with which this singer come rapper made his debut is ‘The College Dropout’. Although he made his debut in the year 2004, he slowly started increasing his popularity by giving back to back hits. All the albums released by Kanye West were having at least two songs being included in the list of top hits of all time. This artist has released five albums to date, with his own voice.
The great thing about this amazing artist is that all his 5 albums have received some reputed awards like Grammy awards. This rapper has bagged 12 Grammy awards for his amazing songs in the five albums. moreover, most of the critics have praised this rapper for his amazing songs as well. to be more specific most of his songs are said to be a commercial success, especially the album called ’808s & Heartbreak’.
In addition, West also has his own label called GOOD Music, which has already released many hit songs. Some other popular artists like John Legend, Kid Cudi and Common have got their songs out from this label. The trademark of his label and which you find on the covers of his album CDs is a ‘Dropout Bear’. you will find a teddy bear as a symbol of his ‘Dropout Bear’ trademark. another great thing about Kanye West is that he was voted to be ranked as the game’s first Hottest MC in the year 2007.
How Did Kanye West Gain Popularity?
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Categories: News and Events Tags: born in the united states, debut, grammy awards, kanye west
