Movie producers routinely say they’re about artistic integrity, but Metalwork Pictures’ Andrew Levitas finds himself in the unique position of actually being an artist himself, having come up through the New York City art scene as a heralded painter, sculptor, and photographer. So when he speaks of box office potential as being almost incidental to a film as work of art, he’s the rare producer who actually sounds genuinely unconcerned with financial returns.
This is Spencer#39;s third marriage. Charles Spencer, 47, and Karen Gordon, 37, who was previously married to Grey#39;s Anatomy producer Mark Gordon, announced their engagement last February, just months before William and Kate became husband and wife. Spencer attended their April 29 nuptials at the Westminster Abbey, where, just 14 years prior, he gave a controversial eulogy addressing his sister#39;s treatment by the royal family at Princess Diana#39;s funeral. Another royal wedding? Char
Beyonce has teased us with at least 3 trailers for her new video “Run The World (Girls),” but it looks like the wait is over. Pittsburgh radio station 96.1 Kiss revealed the video’s premiere date via Twitter. The tweet read: “Confirmation: Beyonce’s video “Run The World” premieres Wednesday on American Idol” The station sourced her record label. However, it seems VEVO, the site that was originally supposed to debut the video, hasn’t received the same news. When a fan asked VEVO on Twitter: “is there [an] update about when Ms beyonce Knowles will release her new video run the world (girls)?,” VEVO replied “Not that we’ve heard.” (Last week, VEVO said the video would air on Friday the 13th, but then retracted the statement with: “OK, bad news: ‘Run The World (Girls)’ won’t be out on Friday like we thought. No new date yet. Beyonce is perfecting it”.) So confusing. Let’s just hope the May 18 date is final! Sneak Peek Of Beyonce’s 3 “W” Magazine Covers [PHOTO] Is Beyonce About To Dump Jay-Z As Her Manager? Beyonce Reveals Title Of New Album To Billboard Magazine! [PHOTO]
Janet Jackson is celebrating her 45th birthday today and we have to admit she’s geting better with age. HelloBeautiful pays tribute with a photo gallery of Ms. Jackson. Janet Jackson Turns Film Producer, Lands Deal With Lionsgate Janet Jackson’s Book “True You” Tops Best Sellers List
Rolling Papers producer tells Mixtape Daily they found ‘natural rhythm.’ By Rob Markman Wiz Khalifa Photo: Raymond Boyd/ Michael Ochs Archives/ Getty Images Mixtape Daily: Behind the Beats Fans might not know Pittsburgh producer Eric Dan (E. Dan for short), but they sure as heck know his work. After crafting six out of 14 tracks on Wiz Khalifa’s debut album, Rolling Papers , it shouldn’t be long before hip-hop heads start catching on. In 2003, Dan opened his own studio, ID Labs, outside of Pittsburgh. When a young Wiz Khalifa strolled in looking to record, the producer took the Taylor Gang general under his wing and has been working him every step of the way. “It’s been a great thing for [ID Labs] to be involved with an artist almost from his inception to where he is now,” E. Dan said. Where Wiz is now is at the top of the charts. It was the rapper’s #1 single “Black and Yellow” that spearheaded the Khalifa craze, helping Rolling Papers sell just under 300,000 copies since its March 29 release, but it was songs like the E. Dan-produced “The Race” and “When I’m Gone” that provided the LP with its substance. “With this album, we wanted to go in together from scratch,” said Dan, who splits production duties with his partner, Big Jerm. According to Dan, the bulk of the tracks on Rolling Papers came together organically, thanks to the comfortable relationship Dan and Wiz had been building for years. “Working with somebody from that young and working with him for so long, you fall into a natural rhythm, and over time you end up building this sound together,” Dan said. The recording session for Wiz’s “The Race” sticks out in E. Dan’s mind as an example of their overall organic chemistry. “Wiz fell asleep,” the producer recalled. “We put [the beat] together; a couple of hours later, Wiz woke up and said, ‘Whoa — that’s it!’ Next thing we knew, he jumped in the booth and did the song.” From there followed “Star of the Show,” “Get Your Sh–,” “Fly Solo,” “Cameras” and the intro, “When I’m Gone.” Dan has already worked with Pittsburgh breakouts Mac Miller and Chevy Woods, but said he is excited about branching out and adding to his resume. With upcoming production for international rap star K’Naan, it shouldn’t be long before the Pittsburgh producer is a worldwide name. For other artists featured in Mixtape Daily, check out . Related Videos Mixtape Daily: Wiz Khalifa, Smoke DZA, Papoose, Alchemist, Casey Veggies
I guess this is how they keep all of that “Cash Money”, by not paying people!! Grammy-award winning producer Darius ‘Deezle’ Harrison made headlines this year when he filed a reported $20 million lawsuit against Lil Wayne and his Cash Money/Young Money empire. The lawsuit alleged that Wayne and his imprints failed to pay him royalites for one of the rapper’s biggest hits to date “Lollipop”, estimated to have accumulated over $70 million in sales. Since then Deezle, the producer, instrumentalist, singer AND rapper, says he’s been misrepresented in the media as a money-hungry ‘monster’ instead of what he really was—the in-house producer for Cash Money Records after the departure of Mannie Fresh. Read more at HipHopWired
The Hollywood Gossip is proud to present another edition of The Pulse, where our staff recaps all of the day’s biggest events in celebrity news and gossip. Ashley Judd’s new memoir detailed a surprising, sad family history, while key roles were filled in the much-hyped film adaptation of The Hunger Games . Catch up on these stories, a new video teaser from Britney Spears and a busy night on Dancing With the Stars right here with The Pulse: The Pulse Daily Recap – April 5, 2011
Elton John recently referred to Kings of Leon as “assholes” and told them to ” chill out ” over their refusal to allow Glee to cover their single “Use Somebody” on an episode. But series creator Ryan Murphy no longer has such harsh words for the band. A few months after the producer and drummer Nathan Followill got really personal (the latter made a few digs at Murphy’s sexuality), Murphy has released the following statement: I support artists and what they choose to do… I think Kings of Leon are cool as shit. The Foo Fighters are brilliant. We’d love to do one [of] their songs, if they were ever interested. But if it’s not their thing, then OK. I personally wish them luck, will still listen to their music. I’m really proud of the fact that we can introduce songs to younger kids or their parents because I’m the biggest music fan. The show is about the love of performing and arts education – things I think are very special. Case closed, we guess. Glee returns with a new episode on April 19.
In music and in fashion, Britney Spears is back on top. She’s not renowned for stepping out in high-fashion threads (she prefers the hooded sweatshirt and jeans look, y’all), but she sure looks the part if she tries. Case in point? Sexy ensembles from Italian designers Dolce & Gabbana in a new set of promotional ads for the company. See Britney Spears pictures below: “We love Britney Spears and we love to dance to her new songs! We can’t wait to hear the whole album,” the design duo told the Telegraph (UK). “She has always been among our favourite artists because she has been able to remain true to herself and to her style throughout the years.” “With her music she influenced and inspired generations of people for more than 10 years, and we can’t but congratulate her for this achievement.” Indeed. She looks a little confused in the first image above, but that’s pretty much par for the course these days. Confused but oh-so-sensual.
Jacob Lusk has a tendency to be overly dramatic on American Idol . It’s what has made this season 10 finalist a polarizing singer. It’s also what concerned Jimmy Iovine last night, as the producer was afraid Lusk’s style would negatively affect his cover of “Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word” and Jacob might “blow the whole thing.” J. Lo thought the rendition was “beautiful,” while Steven Tyler said both halves of the song just “blew me away.” Do you agree? Or was there almost too much emotion in this performance? Watch and decide. Jacob Lusk – Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word
