If I was Don Cornelius, I’d be really mad at the BET folks. In 2001, the cable network introduced it’s own show that essentially took the Soul Train Music Awards out of business. The shows themselves have been a mixed bag. There have been a couple of major moments-Michael Jackson & James Brown dancing together, Jay-Z & Beyonce tearing up “Crazy in Love”, a Destiny’s Child mutual lap-dance extravaganza on “Cater 2 U”. However, there have been just as many forgettable performances from (name untalented rapping one-hit wonder here). This year’s show promises to be a typical mixed bag. On the plus side, performances from Usher and Kanye West, and a Lifetime Achievement Award to Al Green. On the bad side? Lil’ Wayne. And I’m sure there’ll be a T-Pain performance somewhere. Keep your eye here, as we’ll be updating every half hour or so.
Tag: Beyonce
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The Timberlake Curse?
The commonly accepted theory is that, generally speaking, musicians don’t make good movie stars and actors don’t make musicians. Occasionally there’s an exception (Will Smith has done an admirable job turning himself from the Fresh Prince into the new Tom Hanks, Jared Leto has a platinum album, J. Lo was hitting on both cylinders for a second), but it’s rare to find someone who has twin success on the silver screen and in the recording studio.The latest singer to try and fail at becoming equally as successful an actor is Justin Timberlake. As a singer, Justin (solo and with ‘Nsync) has sold something like 40 million records and won 6 Grammy Awards. As an actor? Not so much. Let’s see. There was “Edison Force”, a movie that went straight to video despite boasting the talents of Oscar winners Morgan Freeman and Kevin Spacey. Then there was “Black Snake Moan”, the only one of Timberlake’s movies I actually saw, which wasn’t bad if you could suspend reality for a bit. However, Timberlake’s role was pretty unnecessary, and the movie wasn’t a success. He followed that up with “Alpha Dog”, which also caught a brick. I don’t know about you, but putting the dude that sang “Bye Bye Bye” in a role as a gangbanger was probably a stretch.
For his latest role, Timberlake has joined forces with Mike Myers in “The Love Guru”, which opened at a weak 4th place this week. Granted, Timberlake doesn’t seem to be the problem with the movie, which judging from previews looks completely unfunny. Myers hasn’t done himself any favors if you read the recent Entertainment Weekly article portraying him as a complete douchebag, but you’ve got to admit that this is a letdown for the guy who created the iconic Austin Powers.
Although Timberlake’s peers don’t seem to be having much success at the box office either (how many people saw “The Pink Panther”?), JT might want to take a look at the film career of the woman whose career he assisted in torpedoing (pardon the pun). People may joke about Janet Jackson’s acting career, but each of the three movies she’s had a major role in debuted at #1 at the weekly box office.
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Chart Chat 5/25/08: Duffy, Keith Sweat & More!!
Y’all know what it is…here are this week’s Top 20 Singles & Albums, courtesy of the folks at Billboard.Top 20 Singles:
1) “Lollipop” Lil’ Wayne feat. Static Major
2) “Bleeding Love” Leona Lewis
3) “Take a Bow” Rihanna
4) “Love in This Club” Usher feat. Young Jeezy
5) “No Air” Jordin Sparks & Chris Brown
6) “Sexy Can I” Ray J. feat. Yung Berg
7) “4 Minutes” Madonna feat. Justin Timberlake
8) “Pocketful of Sunshine” Natasha Bedingfield
9) “Touch My Body” Mariah Carey
10) “Damaged” Danity Kane
11) “Love Song” Sara Bareilles
12) “Leavin’” Jesse McCartney
13) “Bust it Baby Pt. II” Plies feat. Ne-Yo
14) “What You Got” Colby O’ Donis feat. Akon
15) “Say” John Mayer
16) “Low” Flo-Rida feat. T-Pain
17) “With You” Chris Brown
18) “Love in This Club Part II” Usher feat. Beyonce & Lil’ Wayne
19) “Bye Bye” Mariah Carey
20) “Forever” Chris BrownTop 20 Albums:
1) “Narrow Stairs” Death Cab for Cutie
2) “Nothing But the Best” Frank Sinatra
3) “We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things” Jason Mraz
4) “Rockferry” Duffy
5) “Spirit” Leona Lewis
6) “E=MC2” Mariah Carey
7) “Home Before Dark” Neil Diamond
8) “Hard Candy” Madonna
9) “35 Biggest Hits” Toby Keith
10) “Just Me” Keith Sweat
11) “Taylor Swift” Taylor Swift
12) “Division” 10 Years
13) “Now That’s What I Call Music 27” Various Artists
14) “Greatest Hits: Every Mile a Memory” Dierks Bentley
15) “Gavin DeGraw” Gavin DeGraw
16) “Awake Live” Josh Groban
17) “Lyfe Change” Lyfe Jennings
18) “On My Way Here” Clay Aiken
19) “Juno” Soundtrack
20) “Sleep Through the Static” Jack Johnson*So…um…who the hell is 10 Years? Not that I profess to be the beginning and ending of all things music, but it’s a bit rare for me to have never once heard of an artist in the Top 20. Oh,well.
*A nice cluster of newbies in the Top 4, including a well-deserved bow at the top from Death Cab for Cutie.I’d imagine the biggest surprise would be from British soul singer Duffy at #4. Her single “Mercy” also rockets up the chart, landing in the Top 30 this week.
…and is it me, or does this song sound suspiciously like…
*As tipped off last week, Usher cruises into the Top 20 with his “Love in This Club” remix, which features the beyond-ubiquitous Lil’ Wayne as well as only slightly less ubiquitous Beyonce. Personally, I think it’s time for *both* of them to take a vacation.
*Clay Aiken, I think it’s time to say bye-bye to your career, eh?
*Keith Sweat is in the Top 10 of the album charts for the first time in almost a decade (and hits the #1 spot on the R&B albums chart for the sixth time). Proof that begging will *never* go out of style!
Let’s take it back!!!
