Nigerian musician and respected Afrobeat singer Femi Kuti  has been nominated at the 54th edition of the prestigious Grammy Awards.

Femi picked up his third ever nomination in the World Music Category for his ‘Africa for Africa‘ album last night Wednesday, November 30, 2011 when the list was unveiled at the ‘Grammy Nominations Concert Live!!‘ in Los Angeles, US.

In 2003, Femi, eldest son of late Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo Kuti picked up his first ever Grammy Award nomination but lost out to  Panamanian salsa singer Rubén Blades. He similarly lost in 2010  when he was nominated in the same category. US banjo player Bela Fleck walked away with the award.

His recent nomination sees him up against Latin/Roots music band AfroCubism, South African male choral group Ladysmith Black Mambazo, and Malian band Tinariwen.

‘We’re extremely happy, and hoping they give him this time around‘ Femi’s elder sister and Positive band veteran Yeni Kuti told us this morning over the phone. ‘It’s his third time and he has really worked hard‘. Femi Kuti himself, currently touring Europe, is unreachable for now. ‘I can’t say if he’ll attend or not, but I hope he will. He did not attend last year‘ Yeni says.

US rapper Kanye West leads the pack with seven nods, making it the second year in row a Hip-hop artiste has reached that feat. (Eminem topped the nominees list in 2010, with 10nods. He walked away with two wins).

Kanye is closely followed by UK singer Adele who is tied with Foo Fighters and Bruno Mars with six nods each. But the controversial rapper-producer was, surprisingly missing on the biggest award category ‘Album of the Year’. Other notable acts that missed out on the big prize are Taylor Swift and veteran singer Tony Bennett.

The awards ceremony is billed to hold on February 12, 2012, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

Adele, 21

The Foo Fighters, Wasting Light

Lady Gaga, Born This Way

Bruno Mars, Doo-Wops and Hooligans

Rihanna, Loud


RECORD OF THE YEAR

Adele, ‘Rolling in the Deep’

Bon Iver, ‘Holocene’

Bruno Mars, ‘Grenade’

Mumford & Sons, ‘The Cave’

Katy Perry, ‘Firework’


SONG OF THE YEAR

Kanye West, ‘All of the Lights’

Mumford & Sons, ‘The Cave’

Bruno Mars, ‘Grenade’

Bon Iver, ‘Holocene’

Adele, ‘Rolling in the Deep’


BEST NEW ARTIST

The Band Perry

Bon Iver

J. Cole

Nicki Minaj

Skrillex


BEST POP SOLO PERFORMANCE

‘Someone Like You’ — Adele

‘Yoü And I’ — Lady Gaga

‘Grenade’ — Bruno Mars

‘Firework’ — Katy Perry

‘F***in’ Perfect’ — Pink


BEST POP DUO/GROUP PERFORMANCE

‘Body And Soul’ — Tony Bennett & Amy Winehouse

‘Dearest’ — The Black Keys

‘Paradise’ — Coldplay

‘Pumped Up Kicks’ — Foster The People

‘Moves Like Jagger’ — Maroon 5 & Christina Aguilera


BEST DANCE RECORDING

‘Raise Your Weapon’ — Deadmau5 & Greta Svabo Bech

‘Barbra Streisand’ — Duck Sauce

‘Sunshine’ — David Guetta & Avicii

‘Call Your Girlfriend’ — Robyn

‘Scary Monsters And Nice Sprites’ — Skrillex

‘Save The World’ — Swedish House Mafia


BEST DANCE/ELECTRONICA ALBUM

Zonoscope, Cut/Copy

4×4=12, Deadmau5

Nothing But The Beat, David Guetta

Body Talk, Pt. 3, Robyn

Scary Monsters And Nice Sprites, Skrillex


BEST TRADITIONAL POP VOCAL ALBUM

Duets II, Tony Bennett & Various Artists

The Gift, Susan Boyle

In Concert On Broadway, Harry Connick Jr.

Music Is Better Than Words, Seth MacFarlane

What Matters Most – Barbra Streisand Sings The Lyrics Of Alan And Marilyn Bergman, Barbra Streisand


BEST ROCK PERFORMANCE

‘Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall’ — Coldplay

‘Down By The Water’ — The Decemberists

‘Walk’ — Foo Fighters

‘The Cave’ — Mumford & Sons

‘Lotus Flower’ — Radiohead


BEST HARD ROCK/METAL PERFORMANCE

‘On The Backs Of Angels’ — Dream Theater

‘White Limo’ — Foo Fighters

‘Curl Of The Burl’ — Mastodon

‘Public Enemy No. 1″ — Megadeth

‘Blood In My Eyes’ — Sum 41


BEST ROCK ALBUM

Rock ‘N’ Roll Party Honoring Les Paul — Jeff Beck

Wasting Light — Foo Fighters

Come Around Sundown — Kings Of Leon

I’m With You — Red Hot Chili Peppers

The Whole Love — Wilco


BEST ALTERNATIVE MUSIC ALBUM

Bon Iver — Bon Iver

Codes and Keys — Death Cab For Cutie

Torches — Foster The People

Circuital — My Morning Jacket

The King of Limbs — Radiohead


BEST TRADITIONAL R&B PERFORMANCE

‘Sometimes I Cry’ — Eric Benét

‘Fool For You’ — Cee Lo Green & Melanie Fiona

‘Radio Message’ — R. Kelly

‘Good Man’ — Raphael Saadiq

‘Surrender’ — Betty Wright & The Roots


BEST R&B ALBUM

F.A.M.E. — Chris Brown

Second Chance — El DeBarge

Love Letter — R. Kelly

Pieces Of Me — Ledisi

Kelly — Kelly Price


BEST RAP/SUNG COLLABORATION

‘Party’ — Beyoncé & André 3000

‘I’m On One’ — DJ Khaled, Drake, Rick Ross & Lil Wayne

‘I Need A Doctor’ — Dr. Dre, Eminem & Skylar Grey

‘What’s My Name?’ — Rihanna & Drake

‘Motivation’ — Kelly Rowland & Lil Wayne

‘All Of The Lights’ — Kanye West, Rihanna, Kid Cudi & Fergie


BEST RAP PERFORMANCE

‘Look At Me Now’ — Chris Brown, Lil Wayne & Busta Rhymes

‘Otis’ — Jay-Z & Kanye West

‘The Show Goes On’ — Lupe Fiasco

‘Moment 4 Life’ — Nicki Minaj & Drake

‘Black And Yellow’ — Wiz Khalifa


BEST RAP ALBUM

Watch The Throne, Jay-Z & Kanye West

Tha Carter IV, Lil Wayne

Lasers, Lupe Fiasco

Pink Friday, Nicki Minaj

My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, Kanye West


BEST COUNTRY SOLO PERFORMANCE

‘Dirt Road Anthem’ — Jason Aldean

‘I’m Gonna Love You Through It’ — Martina McBride

‘Honey Bee’ — Blake Shelton

‘Mean’ — Taylor Swift

‘Mama’s Song’ — Carrie Underwood


BEST COUNTRY SONG

‘Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not’ — Jim Collins & David Lee Murphy

‘God Gave Me You’ — Dave Barnes

‘Just Fishin’’ — Casey Beathard, Monty Criswell & Ed Hill

‘Mean’ — Taylor Swift

‘Threaten Me With Heaven’ — Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Will Owsley & Dillon O’Brian

‘You And Tequila’ — Matraca Berg & Deana Carter


BEST AMERICANA ALBUM

Emotional Jukebox — Linda Chorney

Pull Up Some Dust And Sit Down — Ry Cooder

Hard Bargain — Emmylou Harris

Ramble At The Ryman — Levon Helm

Blessed — Lucinda Williams


BEST WORLD MUSIC ALBUM

AfroCubism – AfroCubism

Femi Kuti- Africa For Africa

Ladysmith Black Mambazo- Songs From A Zulu Farm

Tinariwen- Tassili


BEST BLUES ALBUM

Low Country Blues — Gregg Allman

Roadside Attractions — Marcia Ball

Man In Motion — Warren Haynes

The Reflection — Keb’ Mo’

Revelator — Tedeschi Trucks Band


BEST FOLK ALBUM

Barton Hollow — The Civil Wars

I’ll Never Get Out Of This World Alive — Steve Earle

Helplessness Blues — Fleet Foxes

Ukulele Songs — Eddie Vedder

The Harrow & The Harvest — Gillian Welch

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Happy Birthday to:

Actress Anna Faris (1976)

Welsh TV star Imogen Thomas (1982)

Actor Lucas Black (1982)

Jackass Ehren McGhehey (1976)

Actor Brian Baumgartner (1972)

Baywatch babe Gena Lee Nolin (1971)

New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera (1969)

Saturday Night Live alum Ellen Cleghorne (1965)

Actor Tom Sizemore (1964)

Hotel Rwanda star Don Cheadle (1964)

Brat packer Andrew McCarthy (1963)

Actress Kim Delaney (1961)

Actress Cathy Moriarty (1960)

Canadian comedian Howie Mandel (1955)

Director Joel Coen (1954)

Comedian/actor Garry Shandling (1949)

American trumpeter Chuck Mangione (1940)

British bluesman John Mayall (1933)

Actress Diane Ladd (1932)

Read more…

Season 3 of NBC's The Sing-Off drew to a close Monday night - and after the confetti, I talked with host Nick Lachey, judges Ben Folds and Shawn Stockman, and the top two acts! Here's what happened...

The Sing-Off
Congratulations to Pentatonix for being named season 3 champions! The Arlington, TX quintet (and favorite of Sonos) beat out the Dartmouth Aires and Urban Method to claim the title.

But there was a lot going on before the results...

The top three acts volunteered their time with charities close to their hearts. Pentatonix visited The Trevor Project, Urban Method helped out the Sickle Cell Foundation, and the Aires dropped in on Saving Strokes. In this age of egocentricity, it was so nice to see the artists giving back.

They also got the chance to collaborate with a member of the Sing-Off family. Pentatonix teamed up with Lachey to perform the 98 Degrees tune "Give Me Just One Night (Una Noche)," a rendition that Nick quipped "took me back ten years. We finally got a 98 degrees song in there, even if I had to do it myself. I was holding out for that."

He was serious about his love for the show he hosts. "Every season I've been part of this show has been special," he said. "Tonight, with so many talented groups and feeling all the talent around, I think this has to be my favorite season."

Sara Bareilles joined Urban Method for a performance of her new single "Gonna Get Over You." But the highlight of the evening was easily Folds partnering with the Aires for a take on his song "Not The Same" which was not just a collaboration - but a whole studio sing-along that saw the piano man climb onto the Sing-Off judges' desk!

Folds also had the most thoughtful words to say about The Sing-Off finale. "The show is based on a kind of music that is not competitive. By nature, it's harmonious. But this is 2011, and people like to go into the coliseum and battle it out to the end, and I'm so glad that's over," he said with a wide smile.

"It's just about watching all these people - they're not divas, they don't have big egos. The groups that were kicked off, they were crying over the groups that got kicked off tonight. It's humanity and harmony and all that stuff. The competition, if that gives us a place on the air and a means for people to hear this great music, I'll play along with it. But I don't care about the coliseum."

The Sing-Off

His positive sentiments were echoed by fellow judge Stockman. "It's really, really hard because I look at them in a sense where I don't want it to be 'because you didn't make it to the top, you're over,'" he said. "I try to encourage them. Before they went on stage, I tried to encourage them that whatever happens, keep doing what you're doing, because it's good."

The contestants weren't the only ones who grew this season - so did Stockman. "It gave me a chance to get better at the judging thing, because it was [an] extended [season]. I had to figure out ways to express and articulate in a better way. It helped me become more of a student of music and television," he confided. "When I thought you couldn't do anything else, someone like Pentatonix comes up with something fresh and different. We're musicians, so we get inspired."

Speaking of inspiration, the Aires were not just gracious in defeat, but singing the praises of their competition. Said Daniel Freeman: "They're such an inspiration. We would be working ourselves into the ground to make sixteen guys sound anything like music every single week. Just to watch Pentatonix come up with something new and different and exciting that got us waiting on every single note with only five people - we were able to take some of their strategies and their rehearsal process and really take it to heart."

Echoed one of his teammates: "We're so happy for them. They're our friends. We respect what they do so much. And hey, second place ain't bad."

What did the winners have to say about their journey? They had plenty of thanks of their own to give out.

"The way I connect with music is totally different," said Pentatonix' boyish Scott Hoying. "I've grown so close to these people, it's unreal. Shawn [Stockman] really inspired me. He gave me confidence, that's for sure. Ben [Folds] had so many nice things to say. He would go into detail about our arrangements. We owe a lot to him. The critiques they gave us we took to heart. I think that's the reason we won."

Concurred his teammate Kirsty Maldonado, an admirer of Sara Bareilles: "We all look up to them a lot. It was incredible and crazy to be getting feedback from people you look up to."

What's the first thing they were going to do post-victory?

"Going to In 'N' Out Burger. We're hungry," said Kevin Olusola with a laugh. The idea didn't meet with much love from his teammates, so he hastily corrected, "I'm going to go, they don't have to go with me."

He's certainly earned a celebratory cheeseburger - and a whole lot more, including $200,000 and a new Sony recording contract.

Congratulations to Pentatonix on their victory, as The Sing-Off signs off for season three.

Read more…

The cast of the Harry Potter movies considered marking the end of the franchise with matching tattoos of the wizard's lightning scar, but they backed out of the plan, according to actor Rupert Grint.

The British star, who plays Ron Weasley in the series, has revealed many of the young actors discussed inking a permanent reminder of the films, but although Grint was eage to mark the end of the franchise with the body art, the others decided against it.

He tells Britain's Daily Mirror, "There was talk between us about doing something like a tattoo. It would have been something subtle like Harry's lightning scar. It would've been a great way of marking the end of filming."

Earlier this year, Emma Watson, who plays Hermione Granger in the films, revealed she also wanted to find a way to commemorate the end of filming, but ruled out getting a tattoo.

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Olympic champion skier Lindsey Vonn  is single again after her husband of four years, Thomas Vonn, filed for divorce.

Olympic gold metal skier Lindsey Vonn is divorcing her husband of four years, Thomas Vonn.

"This is an extremely difficult time in my personal life and I hope the media and my fans can respect my need for privacy on this matter," she said in a statement to the AP. Thomas reportedly filed last Monday.

The couple wed in Utah in 2007 and he soon took the place of her father as her close confidant and coach. The transition led to strife between Lindsay and her father, Alan Kildow — he wasn’t even invited to her wedding.

Thomas also gained a reputation as a camera-loving Svengali during his years with Lindsey, earning him the nickname "TV."

"He's the one that's like, 'OK, really? That's enough. You need to take a break, take a rest,'" Lindsay said of her husband. "Most of the time I'm like, 'I'm good.' He knows me really well, knows when I've had enough."

He was also known to be her harshest critic, though she swore they were able to turn it off while at home.

"We learned you can hash out a lot in confined spaces. ...As husband and wife we know that sometimes we have to flip the switch and be a normal couple, not a coach and athlete. We don't talk about racing as much as you might think," she told the New York Times last year.

Maybe now she can repair her relationship with her father. It sounds like he wants to — the proud father still follows her competitions and even watched her Olympic win on the web.

"It was terrific skiing," Kildow told The Associated Press after she won in Whistler, British Columbia. "Absolutely terrific."

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Justin Bieber is leading the ladies on a new list to find the most-searched celebrities online.

The singer replaces Lady Gaga on Bing.com's most-searched people of 2011 countdown.

Katy Perry comes in second, ahead of Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears and Gaga.

Selena Gomez, Nicki Minaj, Rihanna, Beyonce and country star Taylor Swift also make the top 10.

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"The Talk" star Sara Gilbert  has sparked rumors of a blossoming new romance with songwriter Linda Perry after the couple was snapped holding hands.

Gilbert was left devastated after splitting from her partner of 10 years, Allison Adler, back in August, but it appears the actress-turned-talk show host has already moved on with former 4 Non Blondes singer Perry - the two were spotted out together in West Hollywood over the weekend, according to TMZ.com.

Gilbert has two children from her previous relationship with Adler - Levi, seven, and Sawyer, four - and songwriter Perry was last linked to TV soap actress Clementine Ford.

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The gruesome Human Centipede  sequel has been banned in Australia due to its graphic content.

Human Centipede 2: Full Sequence, which was banned in Britain this year before film bosses agreed to re-edit it, was premiered at the Brisbane International Film Festival in early November and was initially given a restrictive adults only R18-plus rating.

However, on Monday, officials at Australia's Classification Board refused to give the horror movie a rating due to its "gratuitous, exploitative or offensive depictions of violence," meaning the film cannot be shown in Australian cinemas.

The decision has been welcomed by campaigners of Christian group FamilyVoice Australia, who previously urged the film board to ban the movie.

FamilyVoice Australia spokeswoman Ros Phillips tells the Brisbane Times, "Earlier this year we were shocked to learn that the uncut version of this horrific film had been passed by Australia's Classification Board as R18-plus - but had been banned by the British Board of Film Classification."

"On behalf of Australian families, we thank the Board for its unanimous agreement. Pornography based on human torture has no place on Australian screens."

The follow-up to Tom Six's 2009 movie tells the story of a film fan who becomes so obsessed with the first installment, he copies the premise of sewing humans together to form a "centipede".

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Football legend Lawrence Taylor has been slapped with a lawsuit by the teenage prostitute he was convicted of sleeping with.

The former New York Giants superstar was arrested in May, 2010, and charged with sexual misconduct and soliciting a prostitute after he was accused of bedding then-16-year-old runaway Christina Fierro in a Ramapo, New York hotel.

He pleaded guilty to the counts and was sentenced to six months of probation in March as part of a plea deal with prosecutors, who also required Lawrence to register as a sex offender.

But the case is refusing to go away - on Monday, Fierro and her lawyer Gloria Allred revealed they had filed suit against Taylor for assault and battery.

Fierro, now 18, claims she had "repeatedly tried to push Taylor off of her" during their encounter, but to no avail.

She is suing for unspecified damages.

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Tobey Maguire has settled a lawsuit relating to his high-stakes poker winnings, according to multiple reports.

A bankruptcy trustee named the star in a lawsuit in March, alleging he won over $300,000 from disgraced investor Bradley Ruderman, who is serving a 10-year federal prison sentence for tax and wire fraud.

The plaintiff claimed Maguire's windfall at a series of unlicensed poker games in 2007 and 2008 came from funds stolen from investors who had been lured into an illegal Ponzi scheme by Ruderman.

The actor fired back with a countersuit, arguing that he should not have to hand back any winnings because he lost just as much money to Ruderman as he won from the convicted hedge fund manager.

The case was expected to go to trial at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Los Angeles at the end of January, but now it looks as if Maguire is keen to settle after agreeing to pay $80,000 to the estate of Ruderman, according to CNN.

A judge has called a hearing for December 21, when he will decide whether or not to approve the settlement.

Actor Gabe Kaplan, who was also among the celebrities sued for the Ruderman cash, reached a similar settlement with the bankruptcy trustees in August and agreed to repay $27,000.

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Punk veterans NOFX  debuted a new protest song during a performance at the Occupy LA base camp in Downtown Los Angeles on Sunday.

Bandmates Fat Mike and Eric Melvin performed Wouldn't It Be Nice If Every Movement Had A Theme Song outside City Hall at what was billed as an eviction party.

The event was staged to celebrate what was supposed to be the final day of the seven-week protest inspired by the Occupy Wall Street movement in New York.

NOFX, who also performed at Occupy San Francisco, also played fan favorites Leaving Jesusland and The Decline.

Police swept through the encampment early on Monday morning in a bid to clear the site.

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Child sex abuse survivor Tyler Perry  has penned an open letter to the former 11-year-old who recently came out as an alleged victim of disgraced football coach Jerry Sandusky.

Sandusky has been indicted on 40 counts of sex crimes against young boys following a three-year investigation sparked by allegations the Penn State coach had had inappropriate contact with a 15-year-old boy over the course of four years.

Eight boys have since been identified as victims of sexual advances or sexual assaults by Sandusky.

The scandal has rocked the U.S. sports world and Perry has heaped praise on the boy who kickstarted the investigation by coming forward.

In his letter, printed in Newsweek magazine, the director and star writes, "What you have done is so courageous. The strength that it must have taken for your 11-year-old voice to speak out about such a horrible act is something that I didn't have the strength or courage to do at that age."

Perry opened up about his own sexual abuse as a child in 2009 following the release of "Precious."

He added, "I knew what was happening to me, but unlike you, I couldn't speak about it because no one saw me. I was invisible and my voice was inaudible. So to think that you, when you were only 11 years old, spoke up - you are my hero! I'm so proud of you."

He is now urging the unnamed teenager to testify against Sandusky in court: "You may have to go through with that trial, and you may feel all alone when you're on that witness stand, but just know that there are millions of young boys and grown men who are standing with you - including me."

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P!nk and Olivia Munn  have been named among the celebrities who have helped animal rights activists at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) win one of their biggest victories.

Thanks to a star-studded awareness campaign about the Ringling Bros. circus' alleged animal welfare violations, U.S. Department of Agriculture officials have seized an ailing elephant from the organization and now plan to fine the family company $270,000.

It's the biggest fine in circus history.

A spokesperson for PETA tells WENN, "This victory is thanks in large part to support from Olivia Munn and other celebrities, including P!nk and comedians Sarah Silverman and Cloris Leachman, who have spoken up for animals used by circuses.

"PETA's complaints against Ringling Bros. with regard to crippled elephants, the death of a baby elephant, the beating of other elephants, and the killing of a lion, going back several years, have resulted in the biggest fine in circus history.

"The government has taken a first step, and now it must confiscate the elephants. What remains to be done is for the public to be made aware of this history of abuse so that people will know to keep their children away from the circus."

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Victoria Beckham fought back tears at the British Fashion Awards on Monday as she was handed one of the night's top prizes.

The former Spice Girls star beat Tom Ford and Burberry to land the Designer Brand award at the ceremony in London. Her designer pal Marc Jacobs handed her the honor.

Taking to the stage dressed in a floor-length backless black gown, Beckham covered her face as she told the crowd, "I am so nervous," before thanking her soccer star husband David.

She said, "Without him I wouldn't have had the courage to do what I am doing".

Taking to Twitter after the ceremony she wrote, "We won!! Thank u so much to my amazing VB team!!!! Designer Brand of the Year at the British Fashion awards!"

Other winners at the prizegiving included Paul McCartney's daughter Stella, who beat out Beckham for the Red Carpet prize for her designs, and Alexander McQueen designer Sarah Burton, who was handed the Designer of the Year trophy from British Prime Minster David Cameron's wife Samantha.

The high honor tops an amazing year for Burton, who created Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge's royal wedding dress.

TV presenter Alexa Chung was also a big winner - she landed the Ambassador for British Style honor, as voted for by the public.

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After her crazy act in her concert in Brazil, Courtney Love is back “in action” her appearanced when she was attending the premiere of HUGO which held on Monday (21/11) ago. In that event, the widow of Kurt Cobain was performed with her sticking out breasts tip!

As reported by Dailymail, the 47-year-old country singer appeared wearing a red dress with a very low slit chest. It was so low, whether consciously or not, her nipples were poking out.

Even when her pictures was taking by the photographers, Courtney who wore a red costume appeared so confident in front of the camera, as if she doesn’t care that there’s “something wrong” with her at that time. She wore a bright red color combined with her white skin which adds more obvious sight.

This crazy thing is not her first action. Her Concert in Brazil was even crazier with her topless action on stage. At that time, Courtney was wearing a tight T-shirt, she slowly stripping her cloth, until finally she was bare-chested in front of audiences. She was pointing her own breasts in front of the audiences.

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Terry Richardson and Lady Gaga

 
Do you want to know Lady Gaga’s personal life? Terry Richardson will reveal her other side through his 100 thousand photos.

As reported by The Sun, Richardson has collected Gaga’s pictures since 10 months ago. In the photos Gaga seems enjoy her personal life without her “diva” title.

Some images were taking her wearing casual clothes and without her excited make-up. For example a photo which showing her inside the car. In the black and white picture, she was wearing a black tank top and a sunglasses. In the photo, Gaga also showed off her tattoo.

There are also some intimate photographs when she was at her house. such as her picture when she was taking a bath, holding a bottle of beer. There were pictures of the 25 years old singer in her bed while she ate a plate of spaghetti.

The images are used as a photography book. Richardson has been collecting the pictures since Gaga recorded ‘Born This Way’ album and follow her each tours.

The book is on sale by Hodder & Stoughton. and will be sold for £ 35.

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Michael Jackson's doctor filed court papers on Friday indicating he plans to appeal his involuntary manslaughter conviction over the singer's death and his four-year jail sentence.

Lawyers for Dr. Conrad Murray filed the papers with Los Angeles Superior Court in a precursor to a formal appeal being lodged with a California Appeals Court.

Murray was convicted last month of involuntary manslaughter, or gross negligence, after admitting he gave the pop star nightly doses of the anesthetic propofol in June 2009 to help him sleep.

Murray was sentenced on Tuesday to four years in jail by an angry Los Angeles judge who called him a "disgrace to the medical profession."

Jackson, 50, died in Los Angeles on June 25, 2009, of an overdose of propofol - which is normally used to sedate patients during surgery - and sedatives. His death came just weeks before a planned series of comeback concerts in London.

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The Pig and the Horse! There was a farmer who collected horses; he only needed one more breed to complete his collection. One day, he found out that his neighbor had the particular horse breed he needed. So, he constantly bothered his neighbor until he sold it to him. A month later, the horse became ill and he called the veterinarian, who said: - Well, your horse has a virus. He must t`ake this medicine for three days. I'll come back on the 3rd day and if he's not better, we're going to have to put him down. Nearby, the pig listened closely to their conversation. The next day, they gave him the medicine and left. The pig approached the horse and said: - Be strong, my friend. Get up or else they're going to put you to sleep! On the second day, they gave him the medicine and left. The pig came back and said: - Come on buddy, get up or else you're going to die! Come on, I'll help you get up. Let's go! One, two, three... On the third day, they came to give him the medicine and the vet said: - Unfortunately, we're going to have to put him down tomorrow.Otherwise, the virus might spread and infect the other horses. After they left, the pig approached the horse and said: - Listen pal, it's now or never! Get up, come on! Have courage! Come on! Get up! Get up! That's it, slowly! Great! Come on, one, two, three... Good, good. Now faster, come on.... Fantastic! Run, run more! Yes! Yay! Yes! You did it, you're a champion!!! All of a sudden, the owner came back, saw the horse running in thefield and began shouting: - It's a miracle! My horse is cured. This deserves a party. Let's kill the pig! Points for reflection: - this often happens in the workplace. Nobody truly knows which employee actually deserves the merit of success, or who's actually contributing the necessary support to make thingshappen.

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Afrobeat maestro Femi Kuti is sure taking after his father’s footsteps – he’s already worked his way to being crowned king of the musical genre his father founded. And for some time now, he’s thrown caution aside as he adopts the unconventional romance and baby making lifestyle of his late father Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. The junior Kuti, who has confessed being in a string of relationships, is now believed to be expecting his sixth child from his latest lover Antonia.

Sources close to the Kutis say Tonia (as she is fondly called) who is one of Femi’s Positive Force Band dancers, is ‘very heavy’ and will soon put to bed. The ‘couple’ according to tabloid reports have been seen together one too many times at social functions (including Mrs Sonia Ransome-Kuti‘s burial back in April). A source close to the Kuti family says Tonia pays occasional visits to the Kutis’ residence in Akute, Ogun State.

Femi Kuti is currently in court with his ex-wife Funke over their pending divorce.

He told us in October 2010 in an exclusive interview ‘I have girlfriends and they know themselves…I got married once and I knew I was wrong. I don’t believe in marriage‘

An attempt to reach the activist-musician who we hear just rounded up his Europe tour and is back in the country proved abortive; and text messages sent to his sister Yeni kuti were not immediately replied. Our reporter visited the New Afrika Shrine on Thursday November 24, but none of the managers on duty was willing to comment.

The expected sixth child follows the birth of Kuti’s fifth child Tejumoluwa, from another dancer Bose Ajila on Tuesday, March 15, 2011.

The other five Femi Kuti children are Lade, Ayomide, Tunmise and his first son Morinmade fondly called Made.

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Last year at this time, Demi Lovato was in treatment for a number of personal issues.

Therefore, following a 2011 that has seen the singer re-establish herself professionally and recover personally, Lovato has plenty to be thankful for this holiday season.

"I could not have done this without God and the amazing support from my family," Demi writes in her monthly Seventeen column. "They have stuck by me through everything and love me just the way that I am. That is a wonderful feeling to know that people accept the real you."

Lovato is currently on tour, promoting the album "Unbreakable" (watch her rendition of "Moves Like Jagger" HERE!), and says she's "thankful for my life path, including the highs and the lows, because it has caused my true self to shine through," adding:

"Going to treatment was a gift and I believe it saved my life. I learned how to be strong and healthy even through struggles. It also helped me open up about my issues and share them with others. Knowing that my family, friends and fans accept me for who I am is the greatest feeling ever!"

Amen, Demi. We wish you continued health and happiness.

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Maybe structure is exactly what Lindsay Lohan needed -- because ET has learned she's not only on pace to complete her court-ordered stints at the morgue ... she's WAY ahead of schedule.

Law enforcement sources tell us ... Lohan has already completed 10 of her 12 required morgue duty shifts -- impressive considering she still has another THREE WEEKS to spare.

In fact, we're told Lindsay doesn't just plan to knock out the remaining two shifts by the Dec. 14 deadline -- but she also wants to get a head start on the hours she has to complete by her 2nd status hearing.

Law enforcement tell us ... Lindsay has a pretty damn good reputation at the morgue -- polite, hard-working and never complains about the work.

Judge Sautner had said her sentence essentially put the keys to Lindsay's freedom in her own hands -- and at this point, it looks like she's making the most of her opportunity to stay out of the clink.

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Cops showed up at the home of Ryan Reynolds earlier this month after his silent alarm went off -- but law enforcement sources tell ET all they discovered was the former Sexiest Man Alive ... with no clue why they were there.

According to our sources, Ryan didn't notice he'd set off the alarm -- which is the type that when you set it, you have a certain amount of time to exit the home.

We're told Ryan was super nice to the cops and even apologized for them being called out over nothing.

He should have thrown in an apology for "Green Lantern" while he was at it.

Calls to Reynolds' rep were not returned.

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Michael Lohan

Michael Lohan did not have surgery as planned yesterday, TMZ has learned, because doctors discovered additional blood clots in his lung which required treatment before they could operate.

As previously reported, Lohan was rushed to the hospital on Thursday after complaining of chest pains and doctors determined he needed surgery.

According to our sources, doctors discovered blood clots in one of his lungs in their original examination ... but discovered more yesterday. So, we're told, they put him on medication to break down the clots and rescheduled the surgery for Monday.

Certainly he will outlive us all.

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Semhar Tadesse -- the first person booted from this season of "Survivor" -- has been charged with DUI ... a month after she was popped in L.A. on suspicion of drunk driving.

ET broke the story ... Semhar was pulled over on October 27 after allegedly running a red light. Cops administered a field sobriety test and Semhar allegedly blew a .14 ... nearly twice the legal limit in California.

Semhar was charged with two misdemeanor counts of DUI last week -- one for driving under the influence, and one for driving with blood alcohol level of .08 or higher.

Her arraignment's scheduled for December 16.

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Evelyn Lozada was all set to leave "Basketball Wives" and not return for the show's fourth season -- until the show offered her a deal she just couldn't turn down ... which includes her own spin-off show.

As previously reported, Evelyn had made up her mind that she was done with the show for good after VH1 posted a blog insinuating she cheated on her husband, NFL star Chad Ochocinco.

Once Evelyn let producers know she was out, that's when we're told they really made a push to keep her.

According to our sources, her new arrangement with the show has her shooting about half as often (but with a raise) and that she can work around her daughter's school schedule. We're also told Evelyn has made it clear ... she will not miss any of Chad's games.

But according to our sources, the final carrot that sealed the deal ... was that VH1 promised to spin off Evelyn and Chad into their own show. We're told that show would document the months leading up to their wedding ... but so far no deal to shoot the wedding has been made.

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Vin Diesel's new "Chronicles of Riddick" movie is back from the dead, after the production company scrounged up enough cash to pay off some long overdue bills.

We broke the story ... the movie came to a screeching halt last month, when the guy who owns the Montreal studio where the film is being shot LOCKED OUT the cast and crew after complaining that he hadn't gotten paid.

But things have FINALLY changed ... so says studio owner Michel Trudel, who claims the production company recently paid up ... and he's willing to allow the flick to pick up where it left off. 

Sources connected with the production tell us ... the studio payment is just ONE step in the right direction -- noting that several members of the crew who had been griping about not receiving  paychecks WILL INDEED get their cash in the very near future.

We're told that filming will resume on December 28.

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Jason Taylor has made a living out of chasing down quarterbacks -- now the NFL star is trying to chase down the man he says bilked him out of more than a quarter of a million dollars!

According to a lawsuit filed back in August, Taylor claims he gave $500,000 to a man named Eric Kim, who told Taylor he was an experienced securities investor. Taylor alleges Kim promised to invest the money on Taylor's behalf, and would do so without charging any fees ... except for 10% of whatever profits he made.

But alas ... Taylor says from August 2009 until March 2011, Kim "misappropriated" $275,269.10 of the money Taylor gave him. According to Taylor, Kim wrote 37 checks from the account he set up with Taylor's money ... 32 of which were either made out to Kim himself or to his good friend "cash."

Taylor is suing for fraud, among other things, and is looking for his money back, plus costs.

Calls to Kim's lawyers were not returned.

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Arnold Schwarzenegger may be 64 years old, but he's still bad-ass enough to perform his own stunts ... well, except for the one he screwed up and got his head split open.

Arnold has been filming "Last Stand" in New Mexico for nearly two months. Sources on the set tell ET ... A.S. has politely declined the producers' offer to put stuntmen in the dangerous scenes, because he thinks it's just more believable for him to do it himself.

As for what Arnold is doing ... among other things, in one scene he's driving a Camaro, dragging a "bad guy behind" -- even though the scene involves crazy driving, it seems the bad guy is the one who needs a double.

Arnold is also doing a scene where he's suspended high above the ground by ropes -- we're told this scene is dangerous.

And side benefit -- we're told the production is so physically challenging, he's yolked again.

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Welsh Football Manager Gary Speed

Welsh Football Manager Gary Speed and former Leeds, Everton, Newcastle and Bolton midfielder was found hanged at his home in Chester this morning. Police say there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the 42 year-old's death.

The Football Association of Wales confirmed the news, saying that Speed's family had authorised the release of the information. A spokesman for Cheshire Police said: "At 7.08am on Sunday 27 November 2011, Cheshire police was informed of a sudden death at an address in Huntington, Chester.

"Officers went to the scene where a 42-year-old man was found dead. The next of kin have been informed and have confirmed the identity of the man as Gary Speed.

"There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death the family have requested that they are left in peace to grieve at this difficult time. A family tribute will be released at a later date but not today.
Michael Owen' Tweeted about the shocking death of
 Gary Speed some minutes ago...
"The force later confirmed that the dead man was Speed."

After hearing of the news, Manchester United striker Michael Owen, who lives near the star, tweeted: "Just cannot believe the news regarding Gary Speed. We waved at each other a couple of days ago dropping our kids off at school. I'm numb."

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Former biafran leader and politician Dim Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu has been reported dead, Nigerian national newspaper Thisday  has reported.

Reports have it that the leader of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) died last night in a London hospital. He passed away at the age of 78 years. According to online news agency Sahara Reporters, source within the family says that the ‘Ikemba Nnewi’ died ‘in the UK after months of hospitalization to treat the effects of a serious stroke he had suffered late last year’. It has also been reported that Mr. Emeka Ojukwu, Jr. son of the late politician has issued a statement confirming his father’s death.

Ojukwu who was appointed Military Governor of Eastern Nigeria by Military Head of State, General Aguiyi Ironsi on January 17, 1966, led the establishment of Biafra, a secessionist state in South Eastern Nigeria, an event that sparked the Nigerian Civil War.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu is married to the former Bianca Onoh, the first Miss Intercontinental 1989. In January 2011 Bianca was appointed Senior Special Assistant, Diaspora Affairs to the president Goodluck Jonathan.

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Dare Art Alade

Considered as the king of R&B in Nigeria, Darey Art Alade has successfully earned the title with his numerous achievements after just three albums in the bag. Darey, in a chat with Factory 78’s Adesope Olajide lets us in on his rise to fame, plans for a U.K album and why he proudly supports Charity events.

How are you doing sir?

I’m good.

We’re very happy to see you at events. You just went to Charity Bowl Bar, Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys. How was that event?
Ah, it was great. Just hanging around, supporting the charity which is really important. You know the charity is all about immunizing children in Africa and in India. And as a Nigerian just doing my PR tour, I thought ‘let me just support this charity because it makes sense’. It sounds genuine. And the event was really interesting; it was fun meeting people, seeing some old faces I haven’t seen in a while, and enjoying the performances from different artists. Big surprises, like Boy George, I have never seen perform live. It was great seeing him perform live. It was interesting.

You’re talking about performances, having your own tour. I was very lucky to be at performances by yourself, at KC’s bar. First of all the performances, how do you think you were received here in London?

It was great. Yeah, Steam Bar, gave a performance, just a few songs. Just trying to get people to see what we’re doing. Obviously they know some of the songs. From ‘Somebody’ to ‘The way you are’ which is the one we’re trying to promote.

I saw your performance, absolutely smashing. It was well-received especially by the ladies. Even though you kept them in mind when you were making that song; ‘Bani ki di’, ‘Style na style’, let’s talk about this album that you’re promoting. But before we get there, I just want us to give a little introduction. Yes, you’ve come from a blood line of greats; your father was a legend in the game, and we still talk about him this day. And you’ve come up in that family, just following your father’s footsteps. Let’s talk about your upbringing and how music kind of became the norm for you.

Probably for me music started from as young as eight, singing here and there, joining a school choir in secondary school at C.M.S Grammar School. I ended up joining the choir; from there I started doing performances outside school. I joined different groups, started singing with different bands. Then I started radio. I did radio for five years. I did some years on T.V at the same, getting a degree in the University at the same time, performing at shows. So there was a lot of music and entertainment going on at a stretch at the time, including school. And then 2004 came, the reality show in South Africa; Project Fame. It was a great launching pad, just to get me in the consciousness of Nigerians and Africans in general. After that, I released my first album in 2006, ‘From Me 2 U’; quite a mix of songs, a mix of genres in the album. But quite a few songs, like two or three songs made it big. That was a good start, it was exciting. It was actually a critical success in the sense of the word because people tore it down, they ripped it apart, and people loved it too. It got people talking, and it was a great beginning. And the second album, ‘Un-DAREY-Tated’ dropped in 2009, and some hits like; ‘Not The Girl’, ‘No Stars’, ‘Carry Dey Go’ with 2Face, ‘Style Na Style’ with 9ice, I did the original with just him and myself, and quite a few other songs. Did ‘More’, ‘let You Know’; so many songs!

So it was even a bigger hit than the first one, we were on the roll. It took another two years to finish the third album which is the double album, ‘Double Dare’, this is all for Naija by the way. And of course, ‘Double Dare’ has great songs like ‘The Way You Are’, ‘Bani ki di’, ‘Style Na Style’ remix with like Jesse Jags and 9ice. I have people like Timaya on the album, Psquare on the album, Mo’Cheddah and Chamillionaire all the way from the U.S. On the success of that, and from all the hype over the years, people have been like ‘you know what? let’s share this music with the rest of the world. Let’s go international’. And we’ve wanted to; we’ve been working underground for this, for the longest time. And it’s about time we start rolling out the plan little by little. Do some PR, Come out here to do a week-long PR campaign, attending events, performing, mixing and mingling, doing press interviews and all that stuff. So now after obviously I’ve dropped an album in Nigeria, I have to do a U.K album, some of the songs in the third album in naija will make it to the UK album. Recording fresh stuff that will work with our oyinbo friends and our western friends just so that they won’t feel left out. We’ve got a mix of African-Euro pop kind of sound.

Sorry to cut you short there. I didn’t want you to leave that Euro pop thing going. Speaking of the different type of sounds you’ve brought into the game this time. The first I saw of it was like a viral video. I just kept on playing it. I was like is this funky house, what exactly was it and how did that come about?

I can’t exactly tell you really what it is. I mean it’s experimental; you just do what you’re feeling. But if you want to dissect it, the lyrics are in Hausa, the beat is like House. So you can call it ‘Housa’. (Laughs). You know it’s fun, it’s high tempo, it’s high energy. The synth is very grimy, you hear that at high volume and all you want to do is dance, you don’t really care what they’re talking about. I think that’s the dissection of that.

You went from ‘The Way You Are’ which is a brilliant video. Everybody has seen it. You’ve been crowned the king of RnB in Nigeria, people appreciate your voice. People are trying to put you with some of the greats we’ve listened to. We appreciate good music in Nigeria. We’ve listened to the Joes, the R. Kelly’s and you’ve had a chance to perform with some of these guys on stage. How does that feel for you?

I remember opening for R. Kelly in Cape Town a few years ago, for the This Day Music Festival. That was fun. Meeting him afterwards, just chatting, and taking pictures and all that stuff. And I was the only person that opened for that stuff and it was lovely. Performing for South African audience that really didn’t know the music, and they were so supportive, and they had a great time. So that was definitely great. There’s been other openings and sharing stages with so many other big names and that really is very humbling and something worth being happy about.

There’s one part I’ve always wanted to talk to you about, and that’s your video making; the video that you guys come up with. I don’t know who you work with, who directs those videos but you have completely taken African music videos to a whole new level.  You’ve been recognized for those videos in the past. You’ve dropped ‘Bani Ki di’ and ‘The Way You Are’. You have to expect big nominations even if you’ve only given it to the fans. People should recognize the hard work you’ve put into it. Tell us more about who people you’ve worked with in those videos, and those beautiful pictures came about.

I don’t know if we’re going to get nominations and all that but we do these things as promotional tools, and really for people to enjoy. When nominations come, it is by the way. It is exciting, don’t get me wrong, it’s not like we don’t feel good about it but the real reason why it’s done is for people to enjoy, and when you do get nominations that mean people are really enjoying it. Making the videos is very interesting, my team at Soul Muzik, and the normal directors that we work with. So ourselves and Mark Hofmeyr, our video director, he’s South African. Sometimes we shoot in South Africa. ‘The Way You Are’ for example was shot in the U.K. I was just trying to look for many exotic places. We’ve shot at home many a time. It’s all about variety at the end of the day so we came out here, we shot the video. The trick to it is really taking our time. And it will take about one, two or three months to just vibe with ideas back and forth. The music is ready, so you keep listening, you keep developing on the idea, you write some scripts down. Do some illustrations, and eventually you pick a date to shoot, and you try to make sure everything is there. And when you’re editing every little aspect is very important, from the costuming to the shots, the quality of the camera, the lights, and the location. It takes a long time. Some people try to do it over night, and you can see from the end result.

When are we going to be expecting a tour by Darey in the U.K?

A tour is in the works, obviously if the album is released, there’s definitely going to be a tour after that. Building up to that, I’m going to be back in a month or so, the carnival is around the corner. We’re going to come back heavy on that one and do some performances. And we’re going to take it to a few other Nigerian clubs. Make some appearances in Calabar, different places. Possible just do Jazz Café one day and invite a lot of people, from there we could try the Indigo, the O2 Arena, and just trying to fill more spaces. For now, we need the fans, we need you guys to join the train, and we need all the support we can get.

Before you go, where can people follow you; Twitter, Facebook?

Check out my website. Brand new tear rubber, you know that kain’ thing. www.darey.com. From there you can link me up on Facebook, Twitter. Everything is there. So just check my website. Videos, everything is on there.

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As announced earlier, the first ever Notjustok Music Concert will be taking place on Saturday, December 17, 2011 and organizers of the music concert recently unveiled the artistes billed to perform as well as hosts for the event.

Over 30 artistes according to show organizers will be gracing the stage to thrill their fans as they render their popular hit songs. They include The Mo’Hits Crew, Choc Boiz (M.I, Jesse Jagz, Ice Prince and Brymo), EME’s Banky W, Wizkid, Skales, Kennis Music all stars, eLDee da Don, Waje and Tiwa Savage.

Others are Lami, Mo’cheddah, SauceKid,  Sound Sultan, Timaya,Chidinma, Myke, Iyanya, Eva, RuggedMan, Ikechukwu, Kelly Hansome,Show Dem Camp, Iceberg Slim, Kefee, Dammy Krane, Yung6ix, Davido,  Flavour, Samklef, Bracket, YQ, Vector, Olamide, ILLBliss, Tha Suspect and SolidStar.

Organizers say the show will be anchored by five hosts – TV host Andre Blaze, Model and Africa Allstars Winner Uti, BEAT FM OAP Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi, Industry Nite host Mc Larry D and Soundcity TV host Moet Abebe.

Disc Jockey for the night include DJ Jimmy Jatt, DJ Neptune, DJ Humility, DJ Spinall, DJ Atte, Dj Vinnie, DJ Tee and DJ Xclusive.

The event is billed to hold at The GET Arena, Lekki, Lagos.

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Chinedu weds Nneoma

Nollywwod actor Chinedu Ikedieze better known as Aki and one half of the ‘Aki and Paw Paw’ duo on Saturday, November 26, 2011 tied the knot with his heartthrob Nneoma Nwaijah.

The traditional wedding took place at the bride’s home town in St. Theresa’s Catholic Church Primary School field, Obolo Isiala Mbano, Imo state.

As reported earlier, Aki who was conferred with an MFR National Honour in 2010  and Nneoma will walk down the aisle on December 10, 2011.

The Couples

Couples Dancing

Cutting the Cake

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The management of popular record label Empire Mates Entertainment (EME) have finally made an official response to the on-going controversy surrounding whether or not their act, pop singer Wizkid  was billed to perform at the GTCrea8 eSavers Campus Concert  which took place at the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (UNAAB) and was organized by GTBank.

EME in a press statement released today Friday, November 25, 2011 said that they are ‘surprised, shocked and embarrassed by the unlawful exploitation of the name, image, goodwill and personae of the artist Wizkid without their permission’.

Nigerian Entertainment Today had reported that GTBank, organizers of the campus show had earlier announced on Monday November 19, via Twitter, that the pop act would be performing at the convocation grounds of the school’s campus on November 23. The show as announced was to take place from 3PM to 6PM. Wizkid never turned up.

‘The flagrant misrepresentation and unlawful exploitation of Wizkid’s name and image by Guaranty Trust Bank has caused significant distress to Wizkid and EME as the artist has been accused by various fans, of not honouring a show for which he was purportedly paid millions of naira’, Wizkid’s management, who claim he was never contacted for the event, say.

Earlier today, our reporter paid a visit to the corporate Headquarters of GTBank and was met by an official who says the bank is yet to release an official press statement but will do so in matter of days.

A manager who pleaded for anonymity told us the bank’s position will be made public ‘soon’.

Meanwhile, we’re told EME may be pressing charges, depending on the outcome of talks with the bank.

The statement, signed by Wizkid’s manager Osagie Osarenkhoe mentions that the label has contacted their lawyers L & A- Legal Consultants who are in talks already with the GTBank.

EME PRESS RELEASE 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, THURSDAY NOVEMBER 24TH 2011

The artist “Wizkid” and the management of Empire Mates Entertainment Limited (EME) are surprised, shocked and embarrassed by the unlawful exploitation of the name, image, goodwill and personae of the artist “Wizkid” without their permission through Guaranty Trust Bank’s unlawfully misrepresentation to the general public that “Wizkid” was billed to perform at the GTCREA8 ESAVERS CONCERT which was slated  for  Wednesday, 23rd November 2011 at the Convocation Grounds, University of Abeokuta, (UNAAB) Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The management of EME wishes to state clearly and categorically that it was never consulted or informed of the occurrence of the concert and “Wizkid” was not billed to perform at the said concert. 

Investigation has revealed that the concert was repeatedly tweeted, advertised and posted from and on Guaranty Trust Bank’s official Twitter wall, official Facebook page and the GT Community page of its Official website. This flagrant misrepresentation and unlawful exploitation of “Wizkid’s” name and image by Guaranty Trust Bank has caused significant distress to “Wizkid” and EME as the artist has been accused by various fans, of not honoring a show for which he was purportedly paid millions of naira. EME has briefed its lawyers L & A- Legal Consultants who have brought the matter to the attention of Guaranty Trust Bank.

EME, “BankyW”, “Wizkid” and “Skales” remain committed to providing the best music and entertainment to their numerous loyal fans and friends across the campuses in Nigeria and particularly to the fans at the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Signed

Osagie Osarenkhoe

For: Empire Mates Entertainment Limited.

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The gold and silver coins are 10cm across and are legal tender

Sir Anthony Caro [L] and Tom Phillips with their designs

A gold coin commemorating London's 2012 Olympics, designed by eminent sculptor Sir Anthony Caro, has been revealed by the Royal Mint at London's Royal Academy of Art.

The UK's first Kilo coin - one of just 60 to be produced - is worth £100,000 as it contains 1kg of fine gold.

A silver Kilo worth £3,000 designed by artist, composer and writer Tom Phillips was also revealed.

The Queen personally approved both designs in order for them to become legal tender.

The obverse of the coins features her effigy, created by sculptor Ian Rank-Broadley, whose design of Her Majesty appears on all UK and Commonwealth coinage since 1998.

Sir Anthony Caro's design represents how the Games focus on success and pushing the body and mind to their limits as well as the long heritage of the Olympics. His coin is framed by a laurel wreath and the London 2012 logo, and depicts the sports equipment used for weightlifting, boxing, football and athletics.

During the manufacturing of the gold Kilo, a special press and production technique was used to achieve the highest ever relief on a coin struck by the Royal Mint. However because of its worth and size, it is unlikely to go into circulation.

The silver Kilo design focuses on the idea of teams working in unison to achieve success and victory, featuring the words "Unite our dreams to make the world a team of teams". It also has images of celebratory flags creating a sun for the Games while also representing the Olympic flame.


Sir Anthony's works have played a key role in the development of contemporary sculpture. He was knighted in 1987 and was the first British sculptor since Henry Moore to receive the Order of Merit in 2000. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York recently featured a major exhibition of his works.

Phillips's works are displayed in some of the world's most prominent galleries, including London's Tate and the National Portrait Gallery.

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Gareth Malone (right) celebrated with the production team

British TV productions have won five awards at the International Emmys in the US, including best actress for Julie Walters.

She was honoured for her Bafta-winning portrayal of Mo Mowlam in Channel 4's Mo, a biopic about the late politician.

Christopher Eccleston was named best actor for his role in Jimmy McGovern's Accused on BBC One, which also won best drama series.

Each episode told the story of a character who ends up in court.

Eccleston played a plumber who found £20,000 in the back of a cab but was arrested after it turned out the money was forged.

Gareth Malone Goes to Glyndebourne won best arts programme.

The series, about a group of teenagers training to star in a new opera for the world renowned Glyndebourne opera house, was produced by Twenty Twenty Television for BBC Two.

Twenty Twenty also won the non-scripted entertainment award for The World's Strictest Parents, which aired on BBC Three.

Lady Gaga made a surprise appearance at the ceremony, which was hosted by actor Jason Priestley at the Hilton hotel in New York.

The pop star presented an honorary prize to American Idol's executive producer, Nigel Lythgoe, another British export.
Advertisement

Nigel Lythgoe: "Every the bridesmaid, never the bride - tonight is fabulous and I'm thrilled"

Gaga said Lythgoe was her favourite TV executive - he returned the compliment, describing her as "the most creatively talented woman in showbusiness right now".

Chile won its first international Emmy for children's programme, What Is Your Dream?

Belgium won best comedy series for Benidorm Bastards, a hidden camera show that follows seven elderly people playing tricks on young people.

Canada picked up the best documentary prize for Life with Murder, about a family torn apart when a 20-year-old is charged with the murder of his 19-year-old sister.

Swedish crime drama, Millennium, won best TV movie or mini-series and Portugal won the prize for best telenovela - a limited-run serial drama popular in Latin American - for Blood Ties.

The International Emmys celebrate TV production outside the US.

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Recordings must be over 25 years old to qualify for the Grammy Hall Of Fame

Bruce Springsteen's album Born In The USA and Paul Simon's Graceland are among 25 recordings which are to be inducted into the Grammy Hall Of Fame.

The list, made up of both albums and singles, also includes Tina Turner's What's Love Got To Do With It? and Gloria Gaynor's I Will Survive.

Recording Academy president Neil Portnow said the music has "influenced and inspired" people for generations.

The 54th Grammy Awards ceremony will take place on 12 February.

A recording of Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech, which he delivered 48 years ago, also features on the list, along with Exile on Main St by the Rolling Stones and Anything Goes by Cole Porter.

Other well-known albums on the list include Santana's self-titled debut, which was released in 1969, and Bill Cosby's comedy record, I Started Out As A Child.

Established in 1973, more than 850 recording have been recognised in the Hall of Fame. Past inductees include The Beatles and Bob Dylan.

"The Recording Academy is dedicated to celebrating a wide variety of great music and sound through the decades," Mr Portnow said in a statement.

"We are especially honoured to welcome this year's selection of some of the most influential recordings of the last century.

"Marked by both cultural and historical significance, these works truly have influenced and inspired audiences for generations."

The event, which will take place at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles, will be broadcast live on US network CBS.

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