For more on this story check out GlobalGrind.com

Peep Solange’s Blog  MyDamnBlog.com

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“Of course she is [going to be a good mom],” Gaga recently told The Insider with a huge smile. “That’s a tremendous understatement. She’s the nicest female I’ve met in the industry. She’s wonderful.”

The two know each other well. Beyoncé and Gaga have both featured on each other’s songs and videos. Gaga joined Beyoncé on “Video Phone.” While B helped sass up Gaga’s “Telephone.”

And when she revealed that she was, indeed, pregnant on stage at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards after singing “Love on Top” last fall, Gaga was standing right next to husband Jay-Z and uncle-to-be Kanye West celebrating the revelation.

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4.  ”1 + 1″ produced by Beyonce Knowles, Terius “The-Dream” Nash and C. “Tricky” Stewart

Definitely sounds like Beyonce learned a thing or two from working with/portraying Etta James in Cadillac Records.  I’m a fan of James’ music and persona, so I dig this song a lot!  Stylistically, it is reminiscent of old-soul.  Lyrically, it’s on point.  And as far as conveying emotion and believability, Knowles delivers … period.

3.  ”Party” featuring Andre 3000 and Kanye West produced by Beyonce Knowles and Kanye West

‘I’m so in love’ with this infectious retro-soul-funk joint!  The harmonics, the keyboards, the “La-Di-Da-Di” sampled beat — sounds like Knowles and West were channeling  the 80′s on this track, and I’m happy about that.  As for Andre 3000, I really don’t understand how his verse relates to the theme of the song.  But his effortless flow makes up for his lack of coherence.

2.  ”Rather Die Young” produced by Jeff Bhasker

The musical arrangement of this song is incredibly enjoyable to listen to.  The verses are a nice contrast to the chorus and bridge.  I feel like I’m time traveling back to a time where R&B was more about the music and less about the sex.

1.  “Love On Top” produced by Beyonce Knowles and Shea Taylor

This disco-fashioned number makes me want to lace up my roller-skates and glide around on cloud nine!  Knowles’ voice is luminescent.  And as a musician, I really appreciate the gradual build-up and smart instrumentation.  After listening to this song (again and again), I so want to fall in love!

Beyonce Releases “Schoolin Life” +2 New Songs [NEW MUSIC]

Tina Knowles Demands Respect On Set Of “Best I Never Had” Music Video

In the new issue of Rollingstone magazine Jay-Z opens up about his first time in therapy and what his most frustrating meeting was as President of Def Jam (here’s a clue “all of them.”)

While Hov and Bey are typically tight-lipped about their marriage Jay-Z does share one story about their conflicting tastes in art:

“…Jay reveals his superstar better half vetoed a piece of artwork he’d bought for their 8,000-square-foot Tribeca penthouse. The black-and-white Laurie Simmons photograph in question depicted “a noirishly lit pistol with a pair of women’s legs emerging from the handle…

Beyoncé sent it back and had it replaced with a similar Simmons piece, only depicting a perfume bottle instead of a gun…”

You can read more of “How Jay-Z Became King of America” at Rollingstone.com.

Props to Nahright and 2dopeboyz

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Take a look at Jay-Z and Beyonce out in Norway trying to stay low-key around the paparazzi after their crazy encounter with a Croatian pap over the summer. Too bad Bey’s attempt to go incognito has her looking like Cousin Itt from The Adams Family…

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She is one of the hardest working women in the entertainment business. She never stops. Beyonce Knowles does it all. Some critiques have noted her as being “a true superwoman.”

In the beginning of June she began her “I Am Tour” and many people have speculated that this will be Beyonce’s last tour for the next few years, as she plans to make a family with Jay Z. Although she rocked the house in Madison Square Garden, I attended the concert in New Jersey at the Izod Center. I have been a Beyonce’ fan ever since “Bills Bills Bills”, but seeing her in concert made my appreciation grow even more for this diva. Each performance was amazing and dynamic in its own way. She was constantly dancing, singing and engaging her fans with footage from her childhood. I was amazed by her band. With Beyonce being a strong advocate for female independence and strength, she had an all female ensemble on stage. The band laid down the hot beats and tunes that kept the star going all night.

From the sexy sounds of “Video Phone” to the never ending hit song “Single Ladies,” Beyonce kept her audience on its feet. She even sang some throw backs like “Say My Name”, “Bills Bills Bills”, and “Baby Boy”. In the beginning of Baby Boy she was on a harness in the air doing flips above the audience. There was never a dull moment and each song had a theatrical element to it. I would say that this was one of Beyonce’s most energetic tours ever.

As I looked around at the concert, I couldn’t help but think “this is a Beyonce movement.” Fans (the young and old) were dressed to imitate her, doing her every move right before she would do it. A young man in front of me knew all the words to every song she sang, and was crying on the floor when she sang “Halo.” I had not seen people go this crazy over an artist in a long time! Despite fans addiction to her moves, Beyonce always surprises us with something new.

I got the chance to interview fans and see what they had to say about the concert. One couple flew all the way from Atlanta just to see this diva in action.

They said: “If you missed this concert, you missed one of the best performances in history. She is a phenomenal woman.” Other people were so excited about her performance that they wanted to show me how they were capable of being her next backup dancer.

At the end of the concert Beyonce did a special tribute to the late pop sensation Michael Jackson. It was an extremely emotional performance where Beyonce expressed that Michael was a big influence in her career and childhood. As she spoke about Michael’s contribution to music, fans where crying. It was a perfect way to end her concert.

Although it seems that people have a never ending sense of loyalty to Beyonce, she has just as much loyalty to her fans. As she exited the stage she said that this would be one of her last concert in America. She thanked her fans for everything and said “I am….Yours.” Of course she threw up the dynasty sign, dropped a tear and blew a kiss to the fans.

Idris Elba [click here to read] plays a happily married man to his former assistant, Sharon (played by Beyoncé Knowles) and all is right in his world. But when he meets the new sexy office temp Lisa (Ali Larter) a dubious game of cat and mouse begins.

Obsessed falls in line with those homewrecker thrillers that were popular in the late 80s/early 90s and this film follows the themes and formulas to a tee. The star power presented in this movie is what will pack the butts in the seats, all hoping to get to see the final battle between good and evil. But Obsessed is subpar in its execution.

Classic B-movie filler: mundane dialogue, too little pulse-quickening action and relentlessly lukewarm material show the gap between the casts eagerness to perform and the director’s and writer’s shortcomings. Knowles has yet to distinguish herself as a credible actress. Call it what you want, but when you see Mrs. Carter perform – do you see ‘Sharon’ or Beyonce just reciting lines [click here to read more]? Castmates Ali Larter and Idris Elba both have the chops to pull off their roles. With Larter playing crazies on Heroes [click here to read] and Elba honing his chops in the UK before his breakout role in The Wire.

But their enthusiasm is key and is what makes Obsessed one to go and see in the theaters. The script fails to raise the stakes, making it a half-assed thriller. For instance, Lisa emails Derek naughty pictures of herself… fully clothed?! She drugs him so that they can pretend to have sex?! There’s never even a hint of motive.

But it all comes to a head in the dramatic fight. No spoilers here, so you’ll have to go check it out – Obsessed – in theaters now!

Check out the trailer below and share your thoughts in the comments section!

Are these white women worth “obsessing” over? Click and let us know!

Solange Knowles may be a Twitter addict, but it hasn’t influenced her sister Beyonce to join the social networking phenomenon.

In a recent interview with the Associated Press’, Beyonce — whose latest CD, “I Am … Sasha Fierce,” is double platinum — talked about resisting the pressure of Twitter nation, her forthcoming U.S. concerts (kicking off June 21 at Madison Square Garden), maneuvering in the show’s outrageous Thierry Mugler costumes and why Etta James never had her worried.

Check out and excerpt from the interview:

AP: Your sister Solange twitters all the time. Do you do it?

Beyonce: My sister is the Twitter queen. She told me about the twittering, but I don’t get it, I feel like I’m getting really old. I’m like, what? I don’t understand. Just call me.

For more about this story, please click here! Share your thoughts in the comments section!

See more CELEBRITY PHOTOS in yesterday’s Out And About!

Last night, J-Hud made her stellar return to the spotlight, kickin’ off Super Bowl XLIII with her fiery rendition of America’s national anthem… but was she the best to do it?

The Urban Daily counts down the Top 5 Super Bowl National Anthem renditions and let’s you decide on who’s number one. We’ll tally up your votes (left in the comments section) and showcase your decision tomorrow morning!

5. Jordin Sparks -

The American Idol winner gained a lot of folks attention with singing the anthem for the 2008 Super Bowl. With the New York Giants taking on the undefeated New England Patriots, Sparks surprised everyone with this strong rendition.

4. Natalie Cole -

Ms. Natalie Cole… Oh, how we love thee! But unfortunately, her “gallantly streaming” voice was lacking that soul that we’ve come to know and love from Nat King’s daughter.

3. Mariah Carey -

See what happens when you take away the “performance” from the performer. With no wind machine to boost Mariah Carey’s high-pitched “whistle register”, Mrs. Cannon falls on deaf ears in this would-be Sept. 11th, 2001 Super Bowl tribute.

2. Beyonce Knowles -

Say what you want about Ms. Knowles’ acting ability, the girl can sing. The H-Town native pulled off a subtle rendition of the anthem and in pure Beyonce fashion goes for the gusto, expressively showcasing her vocal talents.

But in the end there can be only one and with Ms. Knowles comfortably sitting in at number 2, it’s up to you to decide on who should be in that numero uno slot.

Is it Jennifer Hudson with last night’s return to the spotlight?

Or is it the tried and true soul-singing of Ms. Whitney Houston?

J-Hud has already bodied Jennifer Holiday’s version of “And I Am Telling You, I’m Not Going”. Does this give her the edge over a proven talent like Whitney Houston?

Cast your votes in the comments section and stay tuned tomorrow for the winner!

Be sure to check out our Top 5 Best/Worst Super Bowl Ads!

America has a president who not only knows Beyonce’s song “Single Ladies,” but has seen the “Saturday Night Live” spoof of the video featuring Justin Timberlake as a background dancer, and has even mastered the song’s hand flip choreography.

As the Obama family took time out to greet each performer from the “We Are One” concert at the Lincoln Memorial, one of the artists, John Legend, had a video camera rolling to capture the entire experience for his Web site.

While speaking with Beyonce, Michelle Obama is seen on the film saying to her husband, “Mr. President, you didn’t’ tell Beyonce about ‘Single Ladies’? Your rendition?” Obama laughed and said, “I’m not like Justin. I didn’t put on the outfit. …[But] I didn’t want my girls thinking that I couldn’t, you know…I got a lil something.” He then flips his hand back and forth and said, “This part, I got.”

The rest of Legend’s video, lasting just under 12 minutes, shows such artists as Mary J. Blige, Queen Latifah, Josh Groban, Tom Hanks, James Taylor, Sheryl Crow and Forest Whitaker standing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial anxiously awaiting the handshake and/or pound/hug from the new president.

Check it out at the 6:58 mark:

The ladies absolutely love Idris Elba and the fellas have a soft spot for Mrs. Carter. Together the pair have teamed up to play a married couple in this relationship thriller Obsessed.

In theaters this April. Will you go and check it out? Or is this another movie where Beyonce is playing herself and getting paid for it? Check out the trailer and judge for yourselves.

Speak on it in the comments section!

Check out this Obama-ized spoof of Beyonce’s “Single Ladies.” [Singing] If you voted for me, change is on the way, know it!”

Damn you Beyonce…

Shortly after being called upon to serenade Barack and Michelle Obama at the Neighborhood Ball, Beyonce has revealed the song she will sing as the couple graces the dance floor for the first time as President and First Lady.

She has chosen the Etta James classic “At Last,” which she performed in the recent film Cadillac Records while starring as the blues legend.

“I am so honored that I will be performing for President Obama and the first lady,” Bey said in a statement. “To sing `At Last’ while they have their first dance is a dream come true. I could not be more honored and excited that they have asked me to be part of this moment in history.” The Neighborhood Ball, one of the 10 official balls, will take place in Washington on Tuesday night

Best Motion Picture, Drama

* The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
* Frost/Nixon
* The Reader
* Revolutionary Road
* Slumdog Millionaire

Best Motion Picture, Comedy

* Burn After Reading
* Happy-Go-Lucky
* In Bruges
* Mamma Mia!
* Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Best Actor, Drama

* Leonardo DiCaprio, Revolutionary Road
* Frank Langella, Frost/Nixon
* Sean Penn, Milk
* Brad Pitt, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
* Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler

Best Actress, Drama

* Anne Hathaway, Rachel Getting Married
* Angelina Jolie, Changeling
* Meryl Streep, Doubt
* Kristin Scott Thomas, I’ve Loved You So Long
* Kate Winslet, Revolutionary Road

Best Actor, Comedy or Musical

* Javier Bardem, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
* Colin Farrell, In Bruges
* James Franco, Pineapple Express
* Brendan Gleeson, In Bruges
* Dustin Hoffman, Last Chance Harvey

Best Actress, Comedy or Musical

* Rebecca Hall, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
* Sally Hawkins, Happy-Go-Lucky
* Frances McDormand, Burn After Reading
* Meryl Streep, Mamma Mia!
* Emma Thompson, Last Chance Harvey

Best Supporting Actor

* Tom Cruise, Tropic Thunder
* Robert Downey Jr., Tropic Thunder
* Ralph Fiennes, The Duchess
* Philip Seymour Hoffman, Doubt
* Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight

Best Supporting Actress

* Amy Adams, Doubt
* Penélope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
* Viola Davis, Doubt
* Marisa Tomei, The Wrestler
* Kate Winslet, The Reader

Best Director

* Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire
* Stephen Daldry, The Reader
* David Fincher, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
* Ron Howard, Frost/Nixon
* Sam Mendes, Revolutionary Road

Best Screenplay

* Simon Beaufoy, Slumdog Millionaire
* David Hare, The Reader
* Peter Morgan, Frost/Nixon
* Eric Roth, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
* John Patrick Shanley, Doubt

Best Foreign Language Film

* The Baader Meinhof Complex (Germany)
* Everlasting Moments (Sweden)
* Gomorrah (Italy)
* I’ve Loved You So Long (France)
* Waltz With Bashir (Israel)

Best Animated Feature Film

* Bolt
* Kung Fu Panda
* WALL-E

Best Original Score

* Alexandre Desplat, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
* Clint Eastwood, Changeling
* James Newton Howard, Defiance
* A.R. Rahman, Slumdog Millionaire
* Hans Zimmer, Frost/Nixon

Best Original Song

* “Down to Earth,” WALL-E; music by Peter Gabriel, Thomas Newman; lyrics by Peter Gabriel
* “Gran Torino,” Gran Torino; music by Clint Eastwood, Jamie Cullum, Kyle Eastwood, Michael Stevens; lyrics by Kyle Eastwood, Michael Stevens
* “I Thought I Lost You,” Bolt; music & lyrics by Miley Cyrus, Jeffrey Steele
* “Once in a Lifetime,” Cadillac Records; music & lyrics by Beyoncé Knowles, Amanda Ghost, Scott McFarnon, Ian Dench, James Dring, Jody Street
* “The Wrestler,” The Wrestler; music & lyrics by Bruce Springsteen

Best Television Series, Drama

* Dexter
* House
* In Treatment
* Mad Men
* True Blood

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series, Drama

* Sally Field, Brothers & Sisters
* Mariska Hargitay, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
* January Jones, Mad Men
* Anna Paquin, True Blood
* Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series, Drama

* Gabriel Byrne, In Treatment
* Michael C. Hall, Dexter
* Jon Hamm, Mad Men
* Hugh Laurie, House
* Jonathan Rhys Meyers, The Tudors

Best Television Series, Comedy or Musical

* 30 Rock
* Californication
* Entourage
* The Office
* Weeds

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series, Comedy or Musical

* Christina Applegate, Samantha Who?
* America Ferrera, Ugly Betty
* Tina Fey, 30 Rock
* Debra Messing, The Starter Wife
* Mary-Louise Parker, Weeds

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series, Comedy or Musical

* Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
* Steve Carell, The Office
* Kevin Connolly, Entourage
* David Duchovny, Californication
* Tony Shalhoub, Monk

Best Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television

* A Raisin in the Sun
* Bernard and Doris
* Cranford
* John Adams
* Recount

Best Performance by an Actress in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television

* Judi Dench, Cranford
* Catherine Keener, An American Crime
* Laura Linney, John Adams
* Shirley MacLaine, Coco Chanel
* Susan Sarandon, Bernard and Doris

Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television

* Ralph Fiennes, Bernard and Doris
* Paul Giamatti, John Adams
* Kevin Spacey, Recount
* Kiefer Sutherland, 24: Redemption
* Tom Wilkinson, Recount

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television

* Eileen Atkins, Cranford
* Laura Dern, Recount
* Melissa George, In Treatment
* Rachel Griffiths, Brothers & Sisters
* Dianne Wiest, In Treatment

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television

* Neil Patrick Harris, How I Met Your Mother
* Denis Leary, Recount
* Jeremy Piven, Entourage
* Blair Underwood, In Treatment
* Tom Wilkinson, John Adams

The New York Daily News claims Janet Jackson is “infuriated” by Beyonce’s comments about her famous family in the latest issue of Elle magazine.

In the new January 2009 cover story, Beyonce attempts to explain the differences between her road to stardom and the more common route taken by black performers who struggled economically during childhood. 

“I grew up upper class. Private school. My dad had a Jaguar,” said Beyonce. “We’re African-American and we work together as a family, so people assume we’re like the Jacksons, but I didn’t have parents using me to get out of a bad situation.”

Jackson, who was born in the working class area of Gary, Ind., is reportedly so offended by the comment that she is planning to confront the singer, claims the Daily News

Sherwood Schwartz, creator of The Brady Bunch, and his son Lloyd Schwartz are finally moving ahead on a big screen version of Gilligan’s Island, a 1969 sitcom which the legendary producer also created. And if the two Schwartzs have it their way, Michael Cera will be slipping into that famous red shirt and white hat as Gilligan. They are also currently trying to nab Beyoncé as sexy movie star Ginger.

Speaking with TV Guide during his induction into the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Sherwood explained that a deal, “Just happened in the last 48 hours. I can’t take this much excitement at my age.” Dawn Wells, who played Mary Ann on the hit series, likes the idea of Beyoncé playing Ginger and stated, “There isn’t anybody sexier than Beyonce!”

The Gilligan’s Island movie doesn’t have a set start date at this time, and no actors have been signed just yet. You can expect to hear more on this project in the very near future.

Beyonce and Solange Knowles have canceled their Beyonce and Solange: Hope for the Holidays benefit show, citing “irresolvable scheduling conflicts.”

The concert to benefit victims of Hurricane Ike was scheduled for yesterday, December 9th, to be televised by FUSE.

No word yet on when or even if the show will be rescheduled, but the record label released a statement saying, “Beyonce and Solange regret the cancellation of their Houston-area holiday concert and urge their fans to support the efforts of The Gulf Coast Ike Relief Fund and the Survivor Foundation.”

“Irresolvable scheduling conflicts” sounds like a BS to us!

SOURCE: PerezHilton.com

Helmer Darnell Martin makes music with the percolating and scintillating ’50s biopic Cadillac Records mostly because of the rich, righteous and mythic sensibility out of the story of Leonard Chess, Muddy Waters and the birth of the Chicago blues.

For those unfamiliar with the story of Chess Records, the main crux is between Leonard Chess,played by Adrien Brody, and Muddy Waters, brilliantly played by Jeffrey Wright. The duo’s relationship provides the back story to the legacy of the Chicago record label. This is the second film dealing with the same artists, yet Cadillac Records takes a far broader approach than Jerry Saks Who Do You Love.

Brody does a bang-up job as the man who founded Chess Records and compliments Wright’s simmering dignity and eloquent performance. Martin does a great job of establishing the foundation of what blues meant to those all across the U.S. during the 1950s. The cast was well-assembled and did a great job of blending up into their roles. Columbus Short (Stomp The Yard) becomes Little Walter – the only Rock ‘N Roll Hall of Famer to be inducted for his work as a harmonica player.

But it’s with the story that things get convoluted. Chess and Waters relationship becomes strained the more money gets involved the more successful Chess Records becomes. New additions such as Chester “Howlin’ Wolf” Burnett – powerfully played by Eamonn Walker, Chuck Berry (Mos Def) and Etta James (Beyonce Knowles) make-up the blueprint of black music that Motown and more recent labels like Roc-A-Fella get their inspiration from.

With all these players, the star is Jeffrey Wright. His portrayal of Muddy Waters from sharecropper to superstar details the ups and downs of everything going around him. Weighty emotions for his labelmates and his bad financial habits find him needing support from Leonard Chess and leaves Waters in a vulnerable place. Furthermore, his competition with rival Howlin’ Wolf played a subtle part in developing not only the sound, but the movement of Chess Records.Walker makes you believe that he was a fierce blues competitor and their clash had the makings of an on-wax rap battle.

But still trying to find her voice in all of this was Beyonce Knowles. Whereas Mos Def and Jeffrey Wright modified their voices to fit their roles, Knowles’ ability to mimic the great Etta James is just not there. Simply put, it’s Beyonce singing Etta James – which does not bode well for Ms. Knowles.

On the very basic level, this is a solid story. Most of the details are right-on in Cadillac Records, although Martin’s approach sometime blurs the lines of realism and fan-worshipping. With unforgettable performances, plenty of bottoms should be in the seats groovin’ to the blues on this one.

The Music World/Columbia album shifts a whopping 482,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

The album, split between material credited to Beyonce and her new alter-ego Sasha Fierce, has already spawned the hits “If I Were a Boy” and “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It).” Beyonce’s 2003 solo debut, “Dangerously in Love,” started with 317,000, while 2006′s “B-Day” moved 541,000.

Former 112 member Slim’s solo debut, “Love’s Crazy” (M3 Productions/Asylum) starts at No. 32 with 27,000, while country artist Blake Shelton’s “Startin’ Fires” (Warner Nashville) debuts at No. 34 with 26,000.

At 9.45 million, sales this week are up 6% from last week but down 32% from the same week last year (13.96 million).

Last night, Cadillac Records, starring Beyonce Knowles, premiered in Hollywood. The event was truly legendary with the attendance of Etta James, Gabrielle Union and Sanaa Lathan just to name a few. Check out the red carpet photos under the cut!

Click here to check out the rest of the red carpet photos on HelloBeautiful.com!

Some guys will do anything to get closer to Beyonce Knowles, even put on heels and spandex! Check the clip of Justin Timberlake and Mrs. Hova spoofing her hit, “Single Ladies” on Saturday Night Live.