Music Essence

Pop star Jamelia is set to marry footballer fiancé Darren Byfield next April, if all goes according to plan. The wedding was meant to be a hush-hush affair, but the Millwall striker spilled the beans when he told The Sun about his wedding plans with the singer. The reason why the ceremony will be held next year is because Byfield has a busy season, and Jamelia too is tied up in her work. Jamelia’s latest album Walk With Me is being released today. This is her first album since she had her baby two years ago.

Rockers Red Hot Chili Peppers, showed how hot they are by taking the nominations lead in the MTV Europe Music Awards. They had it real good by being nominated for four awards – Best Group, Best Rock, Best Song (Dani California), and Best Album (Stadium Arcadium). The awards are slated for November 2. Christina Aguilera, Shakira, Nelly Furtado, and Kanye West have been nominated for the three gongs at the awards. Justin Timberlake, who’s been nominated for Best Male and Best Pop will be hosting the show. And he is all excited.

Robbie Williams has decided to pull out of the Asian leg of his tour laying the blame on “stress and exhaustion”. Fans from Shanghai, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Singapore, Mumbai, and Bangalore are certainly feeling robbed of the opportunity to see their idol perform live. The cancellation of the November tour, according to the Robbie camp, is because the dates are too close to the European and South American legs, and it could seriously impact his health. Robbie has been performing since June and done more than 40 shows around the globe regaling over 3 million fans. Not thrilled, his Asian fans will have to wait for some other time; if at all the time comes. 

Terming it the “worst retirement in history”, Rapper Jay-Z is making a comeback, as he quits his decision to retire from music. He had made an announcement in 2002 to retire after his last album The Black Album. His other business interests were the compelling reason that made him take the hiatus. Like they say, it is impossible to drive out music from your veins once you’ve been bitten by the bug. Jay-Z is busy completing his new LP Kingdom Come, thanks to his association with Coldplay singer Chris Martin, whom he met at a charity. Once Jay-Z received some chords for the song Beach Chair from Chris, he couldn’t resist passing it on to drummer Dre. The development from thereon has culminated in Kingdom Come, which will see its release in November.

If you are the easy going kind, and fans of indie rockers The Killers, then you are in for a massive disappointment. The ticket sales for the November tour of The Killers was put up at 9 am on Friday morning. And, they were all lapped up in less than five minutes! The indie rockers from Las Vegas will have their forthcoming album Sam’s Town released on October 2, and the new single When You Were Young on September 18. The November tour is in support of the album. The tour dates are: Wolverhampton Civic Hall (November 18), Manchester Apollo (20), Hull Arena (21), Glasgow Academy (22), Newcastle Academy  (23), Nottingham Rock City (25), London Brixton Academy (26, 27, 28),  and Dublin The Point (30).

Beyonce Knowles is turning out to be quite a business savvy person. The R&B superstar knows how to market her ever-growing popular image. Having created waves in the world of music, the dusky beauty created quite a stir in the fashion world. As if launching her new fashion line and its junior line was not enough, Beyonce has gone on to sign up with a mobile company and music company to create a mobile game on her. The game will not only have her music, but her fashion line and its junior line as well. According to industry insiders, the game is expected to launch in 2007. The singing sensation had earlier made her mark in acting too. Now that is quite an achievement for someone so young!

US pop star Britney Spears was blessed with a second baby boy on Tuesday. Her first child Sean Preston turns one year old today. Brit’s husband Kevin Federline, 28, fathers a fourth child. He has two little kids, 4 years old Kori and 2 years old Kaleb, from ex-girlfriend Shar Jackson. Britney Spears has been in the news not only for her successful musical career, but also for her controversial private life. Before finally settling down with Federline, the blonde singing sensation had been making news for her relationship with longtime boyfriend pop star Justine Timberlake, and her two-day controversial marriage to childhood friend Jason Alexander. Well, that is how Britney Spears loves to live – amidst controversies.

Raunchy pop queen, Christina Aguilera has finalized her winter tour to UK by announcing the dates. This will be her first tour in three years, which she is undertaking to promote her latest album Back To Basics. Christina’s latest single Hurt will be releasing on October 30. She is planning to kill two birds with one stone, and that is a cool move. The UK November tour, a part of her European tour, comprises six arena concerts. Christina kicks this leg of her tour on November 17 in Sheffield followed by her performances in Manchester, Newcastle, Birmingham and London. The venue and dates are: Sheffield, Hallam FM Arena (November 17); Manchester, MEN Arena (November 23); Newcastle, Metro Radio Arena (November 24); Birmingham, NIA (November 26); and London, Wembley Arena (November 29 and 30).

Rapper Sean Combs, better known professionally by his nickname “Diddy” has lost the right to use it in the UK. In an out-of-court settlement with London based music producer Richard Dearlove, Diddy has agreed not to use his nickname. Richard Dearlove has been trading under the name Diddy since 1992. Sean Combs was earlier known as Puff Daddy, Puffy, and then P Diddy. But, when he changed his name to Diddy, it started creating confusion, as Richard Dearlove started receiving emails meant for the rapper. Sean Combs has agreed to pay £10,000 damages and over £100.000 in legal costs to Dearlove. The final figure will be decided by the court. Combs, in the meantime, is busy finding ways to brand himself again in the UK.

Scissor Sisters grabbed top spot in the UK the first time ever. Placed at number five last week, the American group made a lunge for the finishing line, outlasting last week’s top runner Justin Timberlake’s Sexy Back. Scissor Sisters’ I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’ pulled off an unexpected coup of sorts relegating Justin Timberlake to No. 2 spot. Robbie Williams was a big disappointment of the week, as he normally makes it to the number one position with the first single from his new album. But, Rudebox turned out to be a rude shock, as it could muster a poor number four spot. Conversely before Rudebox, Williams’ Millennium, Rock DJ, Eternity, and Radio were all chart toppers.