The Film Society of Lincoln Center presented legendary actor Sidney Poitier with the 38th Annual Chaplin Award last night (Sun. May 2) at Alice Tully Hall in New York City. Poitier made history back in the 1960′s when he became the first black person to win an Oscar for his role in “Lilies of the Field.”

Some of the many stars that came out to congratulate Mr. Poitier on receiving the prestigious Chaplin Award included Sanaa Lathan, Chris Tucker, Quincy Jones, James Earl Jones and Morgan Freeman.

Check out 10+ pics from the red carpet below:

Multi-award winner Barbra Streisand was honored over the weekend (Fri. Feb 11) as the MusiCares Person of the Year in Los Angeles. Celebs who hit the stage at the L.A. Convention Center to pay tribute to the star included Stevie Wonder, Leona Lewis, Seal, Lea Michele, Faith Hill and more.

Other folks who attended the event were Prince, Will.i.am, Jordin Sparks, Fran Drescher, Quincy Jones, Randy Jackson and more.

Look below for 20+ pics!!

Music legend Quincy Jones is clearing the air after making an off-the-cuff remark about rapper Kanye West. QJ, who has produced several hits including Michael Jackson‘s “Thriller,” labeled Kanye West “just a rapper” in an interview with US Magazine, insisting that there’s “no comparison” between the two

“Did he write for a symphony orchestra? Does he write for a jazz orchestra? Come on, man. He’s just a rapper. There’s no comparison,” Jones told Us Magazine. “I’m not putting him down or making a judgement or anything, but we come from two different sides of the planet. I spent 28 years learning my first skill. I don’t rap. It’s a whole different mindset. No comparison. None. I don’t think about him much. He’s a great rapper, but there are a lot of good rappers.”

In return, Jones received quite a bit of backlash from West’s fanbase, and now the legendary producer says his words were taken out of context and he has “nothing but respect and love” for his “little brother Kanye West.” Jones posted to his official website QuincyJones.com:

“I’d appreciate it if people didn’t take my comments about Kanye West ( @KanyeWest ) or anyone else for that matter out of context to contrive a story. I have nothing but respect for my little brother Kanye and what he has achieved in his young career and I look forward to watching his evolution as an artist. There is a reason why we put him on the new We Are The World 25 for Haiti – he’s a great rapper. But having been in the music business for more than 60 years and having been fortunate to accomplish what I have over that time, it’s not unreasonable to put a comparison of Kanye at this time in his career and myself into the proper perspective. This is not dissing Kanye, this is simply trying to express that I’m not a rapper! I don’t need to take anyone else’s props away from them. Let’s all just try and keep the record straight.”

Glad Quincy Jones cleared that up, otherwise we’d have to believe he was trying to throw some major shade at Kanye!!

When Quincy Jones released the remake to Michael Jackson‘s popular song “P.Y.T.”, MJs fans were none too thrilled.

The auto-tune heavy re-make will be on Jones’ upcoming tribute album Q: Soul Bossa Nostra (in stores Tuesday), and features T-Pain and Robin Thicke on the vocals. In an interview with our friends over at Rap-Up.com, Jones hits back at the “haters” who criticized the track, adding that they “don’t have a life.” Check out what he said below…

“Today with Facebook and Twitter and everything, I have never seen so many haters in my life,” the 77-year-old legend exclusively tells Rap-Up.com. “But it’s people sitting in their basements with their pants on the ground, just being haters. I don’t get it, man. That means they don’t have a life.”

Mr. Jones also said that he has no problems with the way the song was re-made and that both T-Pain and Robin Thicke volunteered to lend their voices to the track.

“The freedom in music is do what you want to do,” he shares. “I don’t think anybody should sit there and say you shouldn’t do that or you shouldn’t do this. That’s not up to me to say. They volunteered. I didn’t choose them. I didn’t produce this. Six years ago, Timbaland came to me with one of his assistants in South Beach and said, ‘We’d like to do a hip-hop tribute to all your old songs.’ I said, ‘Great, man. That’s a very big honor ’cause I’ve worked with a lot of the hip-hoppers anyway and have always been behind them. I just sat down with guys that were my friends and they called and asked me questions and so forth. I’m there for them, but I said use your own voice, but make it better than the one we did.”

And just yesterday, T-Pain took to his Twitter to hit back at critics who disagree with the “P.Y.T.” remake as well.

“For all the ppl that hate mr for ruining pyt just stop listening to my shit. But if Quincy jones tell you he want you to do something, no matter how much shot you know ur gonna get from the dumb asses in the world, you god damn do it. The fucked up thing is everybody being so kind to mj after he’s gone, but how can you wish a man to rest in peace when you never gave him peace in a life time? I had the pleasure of meeting MJ and when I left his house I got a call from his lawyer telling mr that MJ wanted me to remake that song. So everybody that’s being overly disrespectful, you don’t have to like me at all, but you also can keep that bullshit to yourself. Like I said I’m making it my job to stay positive on twitter but this is why the image of my ppl is so fucked up cuz we all are to envious and jealous of each other to get passed anything. In conclusion, if you don’t like what I do then stop listening to it, if somebody tells you that my shit is wak, why would you go and try to find it? Just stay off my timeline and my dick and get YO shit together, obviously I’m str8″

In case you haven’t heard it for yourself, check it out below and let us know what you think!!

Winehouse is making music again…..this time with music legend Quincy Jones for his Q: Soul Bossa Nostra album and is said to have recorded a cover of Lesley Gore‘s 1963 hit “It’s My Party” for the forthcoming project.

The 77-year-old music mogul confirmed the news to AP yesterday (Thurs. Sep 9) noting that the track (produced by Winehouse’s good friend Mark Ronson) is the first in years for the 5-time Grammy winner.

Q: Soul Bossa Nostra, due for release in November, is a celebration of Quincy Jones’ past hits and will also feature guest appearances from artists like Usher, Ludacris, Akon, Jamie Foxx, Mary J. Blige, Jennifer Hudson, LL Cool J, T-Pain and more.

We can’t wait to hear how Amy’s cover of “It’s My Party” sounds!!

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The music video for “We Are the World: 25 for Haiti” debuted Friday night (Feb 12) during the opening ceremony for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

This version of the song, featuring vocals from Justin Bieber, Jennifer Hudson, Lil Wayne, Janet Jackson, Miley Cyrus, Jamie Foxx, Mary J. Blige, Kanye West, T-Pain, Usher, Wyclef Jean and much more, is much more contemporary than the original but it fits today’s music era. The song’s original writer and singer Michael Jackson also appears in the song and video (his sister Janet sings the first chorus with footage of Mike thrown in). They also kept one of MJ’s original parts and show footage of him singing it (Nice!).

The 25th Anniversary recording features over 80 artists and performers. The recording of We Are The World 25 For Haiti embodied the same enthusiasm, sense of purpose and generosity as the original recording 25 years ago. Every one of the artists who participated, regardless of genre or generation, walked into the room with their hearts and souls completely open to coming together to help the people of Haiti.

The video shows footage of Haiti and the efforts surrounding its repair, along with footage of the artists mentioned above and more recording the song in the studio. Check it out below…

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During Sunday night’s 52nd Annual Grammy Awards, Michael Jackson‘s kids, Prince Michael and Paris accepted the Lifetime Achievement Awards on behalf of their late great father. This was the first time that the world got the chance to hear Prince Michael speak.

“We are proud to be here to accept this award on behalf of our father, Michael Jackson,” said Prince Michael. “First of all, we would like to thank God for watching over us these past seven months and our grandma and grandpa for their love and support. We’d also like to thank the fans. Our father loved you so much because you were always there for him. Our father was always concerned about the planet and humanity. He has helped through many charities and donated to all of them. Through all his songs, his message was simple: Love. We will continue to spread his message and help the world. Thank you.”

And apparently it won’t be the last. Maya Angelou wrote a poem for the re-make of “We Are the World” and one of the song’s leading producers Quincy Jones says he’s going to try and get Prince Michael and Paris to read it at the end of the Haiti tribute, titled “We Are the World 25 Years for Haiti.”

Quincy is saving perhaps the most touching moment for last. At the request of Katherine Jackson, Maya Angelou penned a poem to be read at the end of the song. Quincy is going to speak to Michael’s children about reading that narration.

ET ONLINE

The charity song’s co-producer Lionel Richie told MTV that the King of Pop’s little sister Janet Jackson will sing her brother’s part.

Co-producer Richie said that Janet Jackson would be laying down her version of Michael Jackson’s part on Tuesday, and he hinted that some other artists might also be added over the next few days.

CLICK HERE FOR 30+ PICTURES OF CELEBRITIES AT THE BIG RECORDING SESSION FOR “WE ARE THE WORLD 25 YEARS FOR HAITI”

In an effort to raise money for Haitian earthquake relief, a gang of singers, rappers, producers, musicians and other celebrities showed up at Jim Henson Studios yesterday (Mon. Feb 1) in Hollywood to record “We Are the World 25 Years for Haiti,” a remake of Michael Jackson‘s famous “We Are the World” song, which raised at least $30 million for African humanitarian programs 25 years ago.

Quincy Jones and Lionel Richie came together and rounded up folks like Kanye West, Lil Wayne, Jennifer Hudson, Wyclef Jean, Jamie Foxx, Justin Bieber, LL Cool J, Usher, Keri Hilson, Brandy and a ton of other celebrities to lay down vocals and instrumentals for the charity single.

The song and accompanying music video will premiere on NBC next Friday (Feb. 12th) during the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics. Check out 30+ pictures of celebrities banding together for a good cause below…

PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES / WIRE IMAGE

Rapper Ludacris hosted the Ludacris Foundation’s 6th Annual Benefit Dinner Saturday evening (Oct 24) in Washington, D.C. The Atlanta native presented Congresswoman Maxine Waters (Democrat – California) with the Congressional Leadership award in the name of his foundation prior to the event.

On giving the Congressional Leadership award to Congresswoman Waters, Ludacris said “I just think she is a great woman and a great individual.” He suggested the relationship between the two bridged the generation gap.

In a later interview, Waters praised the rapper for reaching out to her generation. “For more mature people like me to be recognized by younger people is really important,” she said. She argued that Ludacris’ style of music should be more widely accepted.

“The hip hop culture has a profound influence on our country on our young people – for many many years it has been known as violent or vulgar,” she said. “Instead of running away from it we should embrace it.”

SOURCE

Other celebrities at the benefit dinner were Raheem DeVaughn, Common, Omarosa and more. Continue reading for the rest of the pics!

Nearly three months after his surprising death, Michael Jackson was finally laid to rest Thursday evening (Sep 3) in an intimate ceremony only attended by close family and friends at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, located in the Glendale district of Los Angeles. According to reports, guests were told the ceremony would start promptly at 7 P.M. (sunset) but the Jackson family left them waiting for about an hour until they showed up a little after 8 P.M. (PT).

Jackson’s brothers, Randy, Marlon, Tito, Jackie and Jermaine, wheeled his gold casket to the front of the service once they arrived, and his three children, Prince Michael, Paris and Prince Michael Jr., placed a gold crown on top of the flowers adorning it. They also wrote letters to their father that were placed inside of his casket, alongside one of his signature white gloves.

Celebrities among the attending guests were, of course, the Jackson family, Chris Tucker, Elizabeth Taylor, Quincy Jones, Berry Gordy, Macaulay Culkin, Rev. Al Sharpton, MJ’s ex wife Lisa Marie Presley and Gladys Knight, who sang a gospel song after a prayer by Pastor Lucius Smith. Clifton Davis also performed “Never Can Say Goodbye,” the popular song he wrote for the Jackson 5. After the ceremony was over, MJ’s brothers carried his casket to the Grand Mausoleum, where Michael Jackson entered his final resting place.

After the service, the family ate dinner at an Italian restaurant in Pasadena, CA.

Justin Timberlake can be seen here lugging around his Louis Vuitton bags as he arrives at Tom Bradley International Terminal at LAX airport in Los Angeles Thursday (Jul 2) after returning from Germany.

Musician/producer Pharrell Williams was spotted arriving at Nobu Mayfair in London, England Tuesday (Jun 30).

Legendary musical arranger Quincy Jones got some camera time from the paparazzi as he left the Dorchester Hotel Tuesday (Jun 30) in London, England. Don’t expect Mr. Jones to return to the States to attend Michael Jackson’s funeral though. This is what he told Entertainment Tonight:

“I won’t go to any more funerals as long as I live … I can’t handle it.”

Basketball star Shaquille O’Neal, who was recently traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers, was sighted leaving his Midtown Manhattan hotel in New York City Monday (Jun 29).

The paps also spotted Shaq earlier that day returning to the same hotel, but in different threads.

Usher was spotted as he arrived for the Dior fashion show at Paris Fashion Week Sunday (Jun 28) in Paris, France.

PHOTOS: WENN

In the wake of VIBE Magazine closing its doors indefinitely, musical pioneer Quincy Jones, who founded the popular urban magazine in 1993, says he would like to buy the magazine back and run it online because “print and all that stuff is over.”

“I’m trying to buy my magazine back now,” Jones told EbonyJet.com. “They just messed my magazine all up, but I’m gonna get it back. You better believe it, I’m gonna take it online because print and all that stuff is over.”

This is good news! We can’t wait to see what Mr. Jones does to revamp the online version of VIBE Magazine, which can currently be found at Vibe.com. With VIBE’s fanbase and circulation of over 600,000 subscribers, running it as an online entity should definitely work. The world is moving towards online media being the dominant force so VIBE’s owners should’ve taken note long ago and it shouldn’t have even came to them having to shut down.

And another one bites the dust… Due to the recession, VIBE Magazine has been forced to shut down. The urban-music magazine was founded in 1993 by Quincy Jones and had a great amount of success during that decade. But under its new owner, the Wicks Group, the magazine has fallen and has lost many of its readers. In February, Vibe’s circulation went down, salaries were cut, and employees were no longer working five-day workweeks.

Christina Milian and The Dream were set to cover the next issue of the magazine, which according to Rap Radar unfortunately will not be hitting newsstands. Follow the break to read a statement from CCO/Editor-in-Chief Danyel Smith.

On behalf the VIBE CONTENT staff (the best in this business), it is with great sadness, and with heads held high, that we leave the building today. We were assigning and editing a Michael Jackson tribute issue when we got the news. It’s a tragic week in overall, but as the doors of VIBE Media Group close, on the eve of the magazine’s sixteenth anniversary, it’s a sad day for music, for hip hop in particular, and for the millions of readers and users who have loved and who continue to love the VIBE brand. We thank you, we have served you with joy, pride and excellence, and we will miss you.

- Danyel Smith

Being the most popular urban magazine in circulation, VIBE will definitely be missed.

Quincy Jones: “I am absolutely devastated at this tragic and unexpected news. For Michael to be taken away from us so suddenly at such a young age, I just don’t have the words. Divinity brought our souls together on The Wiz and allowed us to do what we were able to throughout the 80′s. To this day, the music we created together on Off The Wall, Thriller and Bad is played in every corner of the world and the reason for that is because he had it all…talent, grace, professionalism and dedication. He was the consummate entertainer and his contributions and legacy will be felt upon the world forever.”

Madonna: “I can’t stop crying over the sad news. I have always admired Michael Jackson. The world has lost one of the greats, but his music will live on forever! My heart goes out to his three children and other members of his family. God bless.”

Mariah Carey: “I am heartbroken. My prayers go out to the Jackson family and my heart goes out to his children. Let us remember him for his unparalleled contribution to the world of music, his generosity of spirit in his quest to heal the world and the joy he brought to his millions of devoted fans throughout the world. I feel blessed to have performed with him several times and to call him my friend. No artist will ever take his place. His star will shine forever.”

Britney Spears: “I was so excited to see his show in London. We were going to be on tour in Europe at the same time and I was going to fly in to see him. He has been an inspiration throughout my entire life and I’m devastated he’s gone!”

Justin Timberlake: “I can’t find the words right now to express how deeply saddened I am by Michael’s passing. We have lost a genius and a true ambassador of not only pop music, but of all music. He has been an inspiration to multiple generations, and I will always cherish the moments I shared with him onstage and all of the things I learned about music from him and the time we spent together. My heart goes out to his family and loved ones.”

Ellen DeGeneres: “So sad to hear about Michael Jackson. His music changed our lives. The world has lost an amazing singer and dancer. I will miss him.”

Singers Adrienne Bailon (the Cheetah Girls) and Solange posed for a couple of photos together on the red carpet of the 6th Annual Woman’s Day Red Dress Awards. The annual event was held Wednesday night at the Frederick P. Rose Hall (in the Lincoln center) in New York City.

Singer Mary J. Blige posed for photos as she arrived on the red carpet of an amfAR event kicking off Fall Fashion Week 2009 in New York City.

Andre Benjamin (aka Andre 3000) and some other guy named Andre (pictured: left) took photos together at the Belvedere IX Launch Party at the Bowery Hotel last night in New York.

R&B singer John Legend attended an event celebrating the 2009 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue. The party was held last night in Vegas at LAX nightclub.

Musical arranger Quincy Jones hosted an event at Borders Books & Music Store in West Hollywood to discuss his new book “The Complete Quincy Jones: My Journey & Passions” with The Los Angeles Times.

Grammy nominated singer Chrisette Michelle attended a party celebrating her prestigious nomination at a private residence last night in New York.

PHOTOS: WIRE IMAGE / GETTY IMAGES / WENN