05 Nov 2006
Mary J Blige swept to victory at the Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas last night. She was awarded the gong in no less than nine categories including the Hot 100 airplay song of the year.
"I've never received this many awards at any time in my career, ever," Blige said backstage. "I remember a time when all my fans were crying and sad and going through hell. Now, we're trying to uplift each other and accept ourselves for who we are, even if nobody else does."
Other winners on the night include: American Idol star Carrie Underwood (eh!?), rapper T.I., Chris Brown (Newcomer of the Year), Rihanna (Female Artist of The Year), whilst Vegas crooner Tony Bennnett was presented with the Billboard Century Award by Stevie Wonder.
Performances on the night came from Janet Jackson, Fergie, and a tag-team outing from Ludacris and Pharrell. The awards were given out by Akon, Danity Kane, Jesse McCartney, Bow Wow, Dave Navarro, Big & Rich, and Paula Abdul.
07 Nov 2006
UK rapper Plan B has announced tour dates for the UK and Ireland for early 2007. Check out the full list of dates below:
January
28 Dublin The Village
30 Preston 53 Degrees
31 Birmingham Carling Academy 2
February
01 Leeds Cockpit
02 Glasgow Arches
03 Sheffield Leadmill
07 Manchester Academy 2
08 Cardiff Solus University
09 London Shepherds Bush Empire
10 Bristol Anson Rooms
12 Cambridge Junction
13 Liverpool Academy 2
14 Norwich Waterfront
15 Southampton University
For ticket information visit Aloud.com
6 Nov 2006
Rapper Snoop Dogg, real name Calvin Broadus, has been charged with possession of a dangerous weapon, found in the stars luggage at an LA airport on 30th Sept.
If found guilty, 35 year old Broadus could face up to three years in prison for possesion of a collapsable truncheon. When officials found the weapon, Snoop claimed the baton was a movie prop.
"He either turns himself in or he gets picked up by law enforcement," said a spokeswoman for the Orange County District Attorney's Office. Snoop's lawyers have labelled the charges "bogus" and are confident that if it goes to court they will beat them.
1 Nov 2006
UK rapper SWAY has been awarded Best UK Act at this years Black Entertainment Television (BET) Hip Hop Awards.
23 year old SWAY picks up the award following his Mercury Music Prize nomination earlier this year, capping what he hopes to be the start of the British Hip Hop invasion of the notoriously insular U.S. market. Famous for making and promoting his own mixtapes around London since 2000, he's enjoyed a rapid rise to fame following his win at the MOBO's in 2005 and a tour with Dizzee Rascal.
Sway will pick uip his award on 12 November in Atlanta, Georgia - alongside Snoop Dog and Grand Master Flash who will be in attendance to take the Icon award.
