July 1st, 2011
05:54 PM ET
Usher, Kanye and J.Hud head to Essence FestThere will be plenty of fireworks this weekend, but they'll be on stage as the Essence Music Festival heads back to New Orleans, once again bringing out top-notch entertainment. The festival, celebrating its 17th anniversary, is focusing on an entire “weekend of transformation,” and started things off today with a “transforming your life” theme, including appearances from Steve Harvey and Iyanla Vanzant. In addition, said the president of Essence Communications Michelle Ebanks in a statement, the fest is going to pay honor to the “roots of R&B,” and will feature more than 40 performances, including sets from Usher, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, New Edition, Kanye West, Jill Scott, Chaka Khan and Trey Songz. 
July 1st, 2011
05:11 PM ET
'Thor' gets a sequel, but no Branagh"Thor" is set to wield his hammer once again. According to Entertainment Weekly, the god of thunder is slated to return in a sequel already scheduled for July 26, 2013. Deadline reports that Chris Hemsworth is on board to reprise his role as the mythological warrior (hopefully his costume won’t be too tight, this time) but not director Kenneth Branagh. Although Marvel Studios didn’t comment as to what's up with Branagh and “Thor 2," EW notes that he didn’t seem to be thinking about a sequel at the film’s premiere. “You hear about people saving things for film two or three,” he told the magazine. “I don’t understand that at all. I put it all in there if I thought it’d help the film be better. You can think of stuff for two or three later, if you get the chance to do them. But you won’t if one isn’t good enough.” "Thor 2" will arrive just months after "Iron Man 3," which will bow on May 3, 2013. 
July 1st, 2011
05:07 PM ET
Mick Jagger's new supergroup is 'SuperHeavy'On Thursday, a small group of journalists were introduced to SuperHeavy, the eclectic new supergroup featuring Mick Jagger, Joss Stone, Damian Marley, Eurythmics co-founder Dave Stewart and "Slumdog Millionaire" composer A.R. Rahman. The five global music stars gathered in Studio A at Henson Recording Studios in Hollywood to explain their surprise collaboration. "I got a call from Dave," Stone recalled. "He said, 'Hey Joss, Mick and I want to make this band. Do you want to come and have some fun?'" 
July 1st, 2011
04:39 PM ET
DJ Paulie to DJ Pauly D: I want my name backWhat's in a name? According to Paul "DJ Paulie" Lis, his career. The South Windsor, Connecticut DJ filed a lawsuit Thursday against MTV and other companies that have promoted Paul "DJ Pauly D" Delvecchio alleging that the "Jersey Shore" star has misappropriated his name, according to the Hartford Courant. Lis, who's been going by the stage name since 1973 and also has it trademarked, says that Pauly D's climb to fame has eclipsed his ability to get his own version of "Paulie" out there. 
July 1st, 2011
02:31 PM ET
Bieber to channel NKOTB with next albumLooks like Justin Bieber's next album will have all the right stuff—the teen idol's tunes will be inspired by '80s boy bands like New Kids on the Block. Music producer Jim Jonsin, who is working with the singer on his upcoming album, tells MTV the songs will have an old-school flavor. "For Bieber, I think I want to reach back to New Edition, those days," he says, adding that he also hopes to emulate another Beantown band. "I want to try to do something like that — 'Please Don't Go Girl,' New Kids on the Block — because the girls would go crazy."
July 1st, 2011
01:48 PM ET
Royal fever: Princess Diana, Prince Harry and another weddingIt’s been two months since the world paused to watch the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge marry, but royal fever is still raging. While we’ve always been a little (perhaps begrudgingly) infatuated with the monarchy across the pond, our interest lately has been piqued with even the tiny details –- the desire to dress like Kate Middleton had buyers in such a frenzy they once crashed a website for hours. But today, the royal cup overflows. Not only do we have another wedding on our hands, but it’s also what would’ve been the late Princess Diana’s 50th birthday. Let the royal chatter begin: |
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