News, pictures, music and videos from February 3, 2009

John Landis // Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson has been served! Veteran Hollywood film director John Landis slapped the uncontested King of Pop with a breach-of-contract lawsuit because Landis hasn’t been paid his share of the profits from the “Thriller” music video, the most famous music video in the history of music, for at least four years.

Landis and his company, Levitsky Productions, filed a complaint in the western district of the Los Angeles Superior Court last Wednesday accusing the King of Pop of “fraudulent, malicious and oppressive conduct” – essentially, failing to provide any accounting of the “Thriller” profits for the past four years “and earlier”, and failing to pay Landis his 50 per cent cut of the net proceeds.

Landis co-wrote and directed the 14-minute video of “Thriller” in 1983, significantly pushing the artistic boundaries of what was then the fledgling art of music video. The popular director – previously responsible for such hits as Animal House, The Blues Brothers and An American Werewolf in London — also directed an hour-long “making of” documentary.

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Michael Phelps

Your boy Michael Phelps, you know, the guy who won a gazillion gold medals at the 2008 Olympics, was photographed smoking pot through a bong at a college party last fall. The photos first surfaced on British tabloid News of the World, which reported that the photo was taken back in November 2008 in the vicinity of the University of South Carolina.

“I engaged in behavior which was regrettable and demonstrated bad judgment,” said Phelps, who won a record eight gold medals at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, in a statement Sunday. “I’m 23 years old, and despite the successes I have had in the pool, I acted in a youthful and inappropriate way, not in a manner that people have come to expect from me,” he said. “For this, I am sorry. I promise my fans and the public — it will not happen again.”

SOURCE

He’ll probably get a little slap on the wrist and his bank account will bail him out. Why do people take photos of themselves, and other people, doing s**t like this and put it on the internet?

Aaliyah // Keisha Chante

It has been reported that Warner Brothers Films will be creating a motion picture covering the life of late singer and actress Aaliyah Haughton, who died in a plane crash in August 2001 following a video shoot in the Bahamas. Bill Condon, best known for directing “DreamGirls” will be directing the currently untitled biopic, which will star Keisha Chante who will play Aaliyah.

“We are going to great extremities to make this movie perfect. We have Chante in extensive training, studying, speaking with family members, watching personal footage and in choreography training with Aaliyah’s choreographer and dear friend Fatima Robinson. This movie will be seamless the same way it was for Selena fans who enjoyed Jennifer Lopez. I can promise Aaliyah fans that this movie will be ten notches higher.”

A source close to the production of the film says the script will pull no punches and will go as far as touching on the subject of Aaliyah’s highly publicized marriage and annulment to producer/singer R. Kelly. She was only 15 years old, while he was 26.

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President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, Malia Obama and Sasha Obama // President Barack Obama's Inauguration

Here are a set of photos from President Obama’s Inauguration in D.C. a couple of weeks ago on January 20th 2009 in front of the Capitol building. Continue reading for an amazing set of historical photos. Download them and put them away for safe keeping. We can only celebrate having the first Black president in office once in a lifetime!

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Kelly Rowland & Mathew Knowles

About damn time, right? R&B singer Kelly Rowland has dropped Mathew Knowles from the roster as manager of her career. According to reports, the agreement was mutual and a statement from Rowland herself said the following:

“Mathew Knowles has been a positive influence in my career. I have had great success under his guidance – both as a member of Destiny’s Child and with my solo projects. Although we have decided to part ways professionally, the Knowles family and the entire Music World Entertainment team will always be my family.”

Mathew Knowles said in a statement:

“After a very positive meeting between Kelly Rowland and myself, we have amicably agreed to end our professional relationship. As an artist Kelly has incredible talent and I only wish her the best. We will always be family first and foremost and as a dad I can only have love for Kelly.”

Smart move, Kelly. Smart move.

Ciara & Chris Brown

New song from Ciara and Chris Brown called “Turntables!” Take the poll and drop us a comment letting us know if you’re gonna rock this, or if you’re gonna drop it! If you haven’t had a chance to peep Ciara and Young Jeezy’s brand new music video for “Never Ever,” click here to check it out!

LISTEN: CIARA – “TURNTABLES”

Rock it or Drop it? Ciara F/ Chris Brown - "Turntables"

  • Rock it!
    76% (74 VOTES)
  • Drop it!
    24% (24 VOTES)

98 TOTAL VOTES!

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Rihanna & The Dream

Here’s a left-over track from Rihanna’s Good Girl Gone Bad LP, which is well on its way to Diamond status. About damn time, right? Especially since her label’s been pushing GGGB since 2007. Not to mention the fact that she’s recorded a video for almost every song on the album too. Okay that’s a bit of an exaggeration (about the videos) but still … it’s time for some new sh*t Rihanna!

But anyway, here’s “Hatin’ On The Club” featuring The Dream. From what I could gather from the lyrics, the song talks about how the club can ruin a relationship. Take a listen for yourself below and leave comments letting us know what you think!

LISTEN: RIHANNA – “HATIN’ ON THE CLUB”

Usher and Tameka

Here’s an unreleased track from Usher’s lackluster “Here I Stand” album. Produced by Soundz, the track is called “Get Used to Her,” and after seeing the title I could immediately pinpoint that this was from this most recent era. Just look at it … he’s obviously talking about Tameka. He’s basically telling everyone to get used to her because she isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, despite the rumors and how anyone else feels. He apparently loves this woman and wants to stick by her, which is something that should definitely be respected.

But isn’t it about time for him to hit the studio and redeem himself and his career? Don’t get me wrong, Usher’s doing his thing and what-not, despite him not selling many albums from this last project or having much of a tour to support it. But let’s just say I still keep Confessions, 8701 and My Way in present rotation and Here I Stand really hasn’t been touched since I first listened to it. And I can guarantee you I’m not the only person who feels that way.

LISTEN: USHER – “GET USED TO HER”

Erykah Badu & Jay Electronica

The internet has definitely brought celebrities a lot closer to the general public and if you follow @fatbellybella, you’ll know that Erykah Badu gave birth sometime between 10:00 AM and 6:49 PM this past Sunday (Feb. 1st 2009). How? Because she posted the following messages to Twitter, the hugely popular social networking site that’s the next best thing since Facebook and MySpace and YouTube.

erykahbadu-twitter

But that’s okay. Boyfriend and father of the child, Jay Electronica, who goes by @JayElectronica, kept everyone abreast with what was going on and everything. Even when he saw the baby’s head:

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