A New Michael Jackson "This Is It" Clip!!!

Here is the King of Pop performing "Human Nature" during the rehearsals for his London concert series.

I'm officially standing first in line to get tickets for this. Damn Michael and those who contributed to his death for taking this epic show away from us...

Keisha Buchanan QUITS Sugababes, Replaced by Eurovision's Jade Ewen

Island Records has confirmed that the last original member of the Sugababes Keisha Buchanan has officially left the group to continue as a solo artist.

Her replacement will be Jade Ewen, the singer who performed Britain's entry for the 2009 Eurovision Contest. She recently released a single called "My Man", but her label released a statement confirming the suspension of all future promotion for her project.

Rumors about the girl group's demise launched last week when reports said that Amelle Berrabah, the newest member, was leaving after a rift with Keisha. Ewen was reported as the replacement for Amelle.

Despite Keisha's absence, the group will be releasing their album Sweet 7 on November 23rd.

There is no news about Keisha's debut release, or whether the group will remain with Jay-Z's label Roc Nation.

This Definitely Makes Up For The GMA Performance...

Yesterday, Whitney Houston performed the Diane Warren-penned ballad "I Didn't Know My Own Strength" on her second day at Oprah, and I have to tell you, "The Voice" isn't lost.

It may never reach the level of clarity and power that sold millions and millions of The Bodyguard soundtrack, but she still has an extraordinary vocal talent.

Apparently, people agree, because the song is racing up the iTunes charts as I speak.

Check out the performance below:

Download of the Day (9/15): "Happy" by Leona Lewis

Leona Lewis came on to the music scene with a song so instant and so incredible, that it launched her into global superstardom.

Now, two years after the UK release of her debut album Spirit, Leona is back with a new album that she says has a more "organic" sound. The promise is quite interesting considering pop music these days is everything but "organic", especially with producers like RedOne and Ryan Tedder leading the way.

Speaking of Ryan Tedder, he is the producer of Leona's first single.

The track is called "Happy", and as you would expect, it's a ballad. There have been some controversies involving Tedder and his identical ballads (see "Halo" and "Already Gone") but this has some pretty fresh production. Leona wasn't lying; while Tedder doesn't hesitate adding his trademark drum beats, the song is very traditional in its instrumentation, no synths or anything like that. Tedder, the smart producer he is (ignore "Halo" and "Already Gone"), allows Leona's golden voice to do most of the work. On the other hand, it wouldn't have hurt to add some more to the sound; it would have made the song truly epic.

Leona is a vocal master at this point, so hearing her excellent voice is really no surprise. What is surprising is the attitude that colors her voice in the chorus. "So what if it hurts me?" the Brit songbird sings, and even challenges, as she argues for her right pursue happiness, even with the risk. She has become very confident in her ability, singing and songwriting-wise, and it comes through clear here.

It hasn't been that long since Leona won X Factor, but the amount of growth she's experienced since then is extraordinary. With her VH1 Divas appearance only days away, and her album looking to be one of the fall's biggest releases, Leona is cementing her status as one of pop's leading ladies.

And that makes me "happy".


RATING: 7.5/10

Jay Leno Grills Emotional Kanye West On VMA Disaster

Kanye West became very emotional, almost on the verge of tears, as Jay Leno questioned him over his antics at Sunday's MTV Video Music Awards.

The rapper, who now-infamously stole the mic from Best Female Video award winner Taylor Swift, was grilled on Leno's new show before performing "Run This Town" with Jay-Z and Rihanna. Kanye appeared truly repentant over his actions, even offering to apologize to Taylor face-to-face.

Things got emotional for Kanye when Jay asked him how his mother would react to his behavior. Kanye's mother Donda died last year after a botched medical surgery. The question clearly affected him, because it took him a few seconds to answer. Within that break of time, Kanye appeared to be crying.

The embattled rapper claims that he plans on taking a break in order to re-evaluate his celebrity.

After Sunday's behavior, that sounds like an excellent idea. I think he's truly sorry, but he really needs some serious help.

Check it out below:

"He Spit On Me": Whitney's Shocking Tales to Oprah

Anyone who saw the infamous 2002 interview with Diane Sawyer was probably surprised by how forthcoming Whitney Houston was with Oprah.

After seven years of silence, it seems that Whitney is ready to tell, everything. In only the first hour of the show, Whitney dropped bombshells that blew the roof off of what the public knew and imagined.

We learned that the drugs actually began before 1992, in light forms. The usage intensified after the release of The Bodyguard, the film and soundtrack that launched Whitney into the pop stratosphere. She revealed her drug choice, marijiuana laced with rock cocaine, and even went into detail as how to do it. Elaborating on her legendary "crack is wack" statement in 2002, Whitney explained that she and Bobby spent serious money on drugs and weren't buying the $20 bags (she joked that someone was making good money off of her).

Another huge topic discussed was her marriage to Bobby Brown, which ended in 2007. Whitney admitted that Bobby was an emotionally abusive, jealous husband, although adding he had a sweet side. Whitney stunned Oprah by admitting that she lowered herself to make Bobby bigger in the eyes of the world, almost losing herself in the process. It was almost cathartic hearing Whtney finally address something so obvious to everyone. What was shocking was one tidbit about a fight the two were having, where Bobby spit in Whitney's face, with their daughter Bobbi Kristina watching. And of course, there was the story of Whitney's mother Cissy with a court injunction to get Whitney back on track.

It is clear from Whitney's disclosure that this is more than a promotional appearance for her show. Instead, it's a way of finally releasing the demons of her past so she can move forward.

I can't wait to see what other demons are revealed in today's episode.

Janet's "Gift" To Her Fans: A New Song

 

Hours after delivering an amazing tribute to her brother at the VMAs, Janet Jackson presented a gift to her dedicated fans. The gift was a new song called "Make Me".

The gift is greatly appreciated.

"Make Me" is the perfect reminder of Janet's pop glory days (basically everything before 2004). It's a fun, dance song with an interesting Off The Wall twist. There are no overt sex references; it's really just feel-good pop at its fluffy finest. It doesn't bust any boundaries (the intro sounds a bit like Lady Gaga's "The Fame") but considering where Janet's pop career was this time last year, she doesn't need to.

You can listen to the song here:

http://www.janetjackson.com/gift?give=gift

Her album is due out next year.

R.I.P: Patrick Swayze Loses Cancer Battle at 57

Movie star Patrick Swayze has died today, according to his publicist. He was 57 years old.

The Dirty Dancing and Ghost star famously fought a public battle against an advanced stage of pancreatic cancer, starting in January of 2008. Refusing to give up, Swayze starred in the A&E television series The Beast. The show lasted one season.

In the last year of his life, Patrick Swayze was interviewed by Barbara Walters, where he wished to survive long enough to find a cure for cancer.

Swayze is survived by his wife Lisa Niemi.

Michael Jackson's "This Is It" Dazzles The VMAs

At last night's VMAs, the trailer for the "This is It" concert documentary closed a show that was warmly dedicated to Michael. There couldn't have been a better ending, because that 2-minute trailer was cold, hard evidence of Michael's dominance of popular music. Even at the age of 50, he appeared as agile and clean in his movements as ever. Had he lived, Michael would have put on the best stage show ever, with special 3D videos, elaborate sets, and the exceptional dance routines of songs like "Smooth Criminal".

For a man who, through the eyes of the media, didn't appear to have a coherent bone is his body, Michael was surprisingly alert and focused. In the trailer, besides his performance, you can see how he takes control of his own output. He's basically directing the show himself, with a little help from past choreographer Kenny Ortega.

The most promising aspect of the trailer and the movie is the promised personal element. The movie claims that it is a Michael we've never seen before. Actually, that's not true. Michael in the trailer is seen smiling and laughing, which we've seen on more than one occasion. It's just that we've never really paid attention. We all were so caught up in Michael Jackson's oddities that we never truly regarded him, like Madonna put so eloquently last night, as a human being, capable of laughter and happiness.

That is what this movie is about, more so than the concert that never was. "This Is It" is a reminder of two facts. Fact one: Michael Jackson was, and always will be, the King of Pop. Fact two: Michael Jackson was a human being. Both facts seem to have been lost in the last few years leading up to and in the aftermath of his death. However, I have a good feeling that this movie will set those two facts in the stones of the pop canon.

Me to MTV: Ban Kanye West From Future VMAs, Now!

I'll have full coverage of the VMAs later today, but I had to speak on what Kanye West did to Taylor Swift as she accepted the Best Female Video award.

If you have no clue what I am talking about, here is what happened: Taylor Swift won Best Female Video over Beyonce, who was expected to take the award home. As Taylor, in disbelief herself, gave her speech, Kanye came up on stage, took the mic from her and said that Beyonce had the best video. Everyone in the audience, including Beyonce, was absolutely mortified.

I wish I could say that this was anomaly in basic human decency, but alas, Kanye has a record for being absolutely tasteless and rude. In fact, it's the third time that he has pulled something like this at an MTV awards show.

And this should be his last.

MTV, please teach this A-level jerk a lesson and ban him from future VMA ceremonies. I don't care if he releases the next Thriller. What he, a grown man, did to a freaking 19-year old was inexcusable (by the way, his blog apology is utter BS). As much satisfaction it would give me to see something similar happen to him, I would rather he not attend at all. Clearly, he doesn't know how to behave.

VMA 2009: Janet's Tribute To Include "Scream"; Joe and Jermaine Attending

Perez Hilton has reported exclusively on details involving the Jackson family at the VMAs tonight.

According to his sources, both Jermaine (who just scrapped plans for a September MJ tribute concert in Austria) and Joe Jackson will be attending the show.

Janet will be the show's opener, performing a very special tribute to her brother. A picture taken from the set shows Michael on a video screen from his music video "Scream", which he recorded with Janet. Also on the bill is "Smooth Criminal" and other MJ classics.

Another rumor circulating is that Madonna will be presenting Janet's performance. It has been confirmed that she will attend.

This is gearing up to be the best VMAs in five years, especially if the MJ tribute is as good as they're saying.

The VMAs will air at 9pm EST.

Photo: perezhilton.com

Download of the Day (9/13): "Scream" by Michael and Janet Jackson

In 1995, two of pop music's titans, who just happened to be siblings, took time out of their busy schedules to record a little ditty for the brother's double-disc comeback album.

That little ditty? "Scream".

The brother-sister combo? Who else but Michael and Janet Jackson.

For the first time since "2300 Jackson Street" (don't feel bad if you don't know it; the song and album were a pitiful attempt to show family unity), two members of the hyper-talented Jackson dynasty took to the studio together. The most talented of the family, dance diva Janet and King of Pop Michael, teamed up to record "Scream" for Michael's part-greatest hits, part-studio album HIStory, his first record since the pop culture disaster that was his child molestation scandal. Like the other songs from that album, Michael uses "Scream" to strike out against the world that scorned him. Over an psuedo-industrial spacey, funk track, Michael and Janet snarl at their haters. "Stop pressuring me", the siblings angrily hiss over the infectious chorus. Always the dramatist, the song shifts to a gently melodic middle-8 with Janet before exploding in a fiery crash of Michael's scream and sharp electric guitar (making for a killer dance sequence, by the way).

It can be argued that "Scream" (and the entire HIStory album, for that matter) was the perfect display of entitled celebrity torment. Whether that's true or not, the pairing of Michael and Janet was a stroke of genius, resulting in an excellent piece of pop music.

The only regret about "Scream" is that there will never be another one.

Music Video Premiere: Whitney Brings Diva Back With "I Look To You"

In the wake of her album release and the buildup to her highly anticipated interview with Oprah, Whitney has finally dropped one of two music videos, "I Look To You".

In the video, the reawakened pop queen is dressed in a beautiful white gown, making some basic diva movements as she sings. It's a very elegant video, even if her wig is kind of distracting.

Cannot wait to see what "Million Dollar Bill" looks like.

Check "I Look To You" out below:

Me To Jermaine Jackson: Shame On You!

Yesterday afternoon, Jermaine Jackson held a press conference in London to formally announce plans for a Michael Jackson tribute concert to be held in Vienna, Austria on September 26th. Performing at the concert, besides Jermaine of course, is Mary J. Blige, Chris Brown, Stevie Wonder, Natalie Cole, Akon, and more.

Actually, scratch Mary, Chris, and Natalie off that list, since their representatives claimed they never agreed to the show.

In fact, for good measure, cross off Stevie and Akon too, because I wouldn't be surprised if they pulled out as well.

That's because this show, meant to be a tribute to one of pop music's most iconic figures, is nothing but a posturing, indulgent, and tacky attempt to cash in on his death.

Now, I'm not saying that Jermaine is some callous money-hungry graverobber, but somewhere in the back of his mind, he has to know that this concert serves no purpose.

He claims that this was for Michael's European fans. As if they didn't have televisions and couldn't watch the official memorial when it was held in July. As if they didn't attend the viewing parties held all over the world. As if they didn't schlock by the tens of thousands to Michael's Dangerous and HIStory tours, which saw no dates in the United States.

And if you were going to hold such a concert, why the hell in Austria? No offense to the country, it's lovely, but Michael had zero connection to that country. How about the United States, where he was born? Or Romania, where he held his massive HBO concert in 1992? London? Paris? Berlin? All of these places would have made sense, but not Austria. Unless, of course, Austria was the only place that would hold such a farce on their soil, and that they are the only ones that would bankroll it.

There is no tangible reason for this concert's existence, which is why "performers" are dropping out left and right. This is simply more of the same; exploitation of a man who's seen it since the age of five. Even in death.

I know that money is a powerful motivator, Jermaine, but for the sake of your family, the fans, your dignity, and Michael, stop this stupidity and let your brother rest in peace.

MTV's MJ Tribute: Raining Gloves and Janet Jackson

On the day the world lost Michael Jackson, MTV suddenly remembered how they became the cultural touchstone they are today and paid immediate homage to the King of Pop. In an age where a music video channel spins reality shows nearly every minute, it was both refreshing and comforting to see MJ classics such as "Billie Jean", "Beat It", and "Black or White" on the air, in primetime, no less.

Three months later, MTV is showing their respect for Michael by dedicating a portion of the Video Music Awards, if not the whole show, to him. Despite the stagnant nature of recent VMA ceremonies, I knew that the definitive Michael Jackson tribute would come from them, especially after the disaster that was the BET Awards.

If the latest information and promo is to be believed, then they have proved me right.

MTV revealed this past week that Janet Jackson, Michael's little sister and pop icon in her own right, would helm the opening tribute. She's reportedly working with the best dancers in the industry, including MJ friend Wade Robson, to craft this performance.

On top of that, MTV released a surprisingly touching promo for the tribute, featuring raining silver gloves, Michael's most famous trademark.

If done right, and I am sure it will be, this could rank among one of the best ceremonies in VMA history.

The MTV Video Music Awards airs this Sunday, Spetember 13th, at 9pm EST.

Check out the promo below:

MTV Shows

Cover This: Leona Lewis' New Single "Happy"

This is the cover for Leona Lewis' new single "Happy", which premieres in the UK on Radio 1 on Sunday.

If this single cover is any indication of what her single and album will be like, then she just shot up to #1 on my most anticipated albums list.

By the way, did I mention she looks freaking amazing?

Her new album, Echo, is due in November. Definitely check it out.