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Wednesday July 17, 2002
MARIAH'S NEW LOVE
Sources tell me forget about the rumors about Mariah Carey courting Tyrese. They say, though the two were spotted chatting at a NYC club and exchanged contact information before they both left, it was only on a "friendly" level. Sources claim that the man Mariah is really dating is "106th & Park" host A.J. A source claims the two have been dating exclusively for the last two months. It is no secret that the top-selling pop star and the BET host are friends. A.J. even appeared on Carey's "E! True Hollywood Story" around the time of her alleged emotional breakdown.
(PopDirt)
Wednesday July 17, 2002
MARIAH ON ALLY MCBEAL
We've mentioned the fact that this last-ever series of Ally gets bogged down in an endless and increasingly desperate series of stunt star cameos. Well here's Mariah Carey to prove the point. The demented diva plays a key figure in a trial in which series regular Kimmie sues a matchmaking company for telling her she was unmatchable. Meanwhile, Ally-alike Jenny has to deal with her mother (guess what? guest star Jaqueline Bisset) getting married to a toyboy. Quite good episode though.
Mariah's Ally McBeal episode will air on Channel 4 in the UK on Wednesday July 24, 2002 at 11.05pm.
(Heat)
Tuesday July 16, 2002
WHOSE SIDE IS MARIAH CAREY ON?
Mariah Carey has come to the defense of her ex-hubby, says a source. The singer has been uncharacteristically quiet during the nasty and sometimes bizarre feud between Michael Jackson and Tommy Mottola, head of Sony Music - in which the self-appointed King of Pop has called Mottola a racist and has depicted him as a devil for under-promoting his latest album. Jackson has been saying that Mariah "cried in my arms" over Mottola's treatment of her. He was referring, apparently, to the widely reported rift between Carey and her ex-hubby Mottola - who she accused of trying to sabotage her career.
But Thalia, Mottola's current wife, has been telling people that Carey phoned Mottola to offer her support in his dispute with Jackson. "Thalia said that Mariah called Tommy and said that she's on his side, not on Michael's," says a source. "She said Mariah said Michael's wrong in this whole thing, that Tommy's anything but a racist. She wants to leave her dispute with Tommy in the past and she's rather appalled that Michael has dragged her into this thing."
Carey was in Capri, recording an album, but her spokeswoman says, "To the best of my knowledge, Mariah has not spoken to Mr. Mottola in several months." Mottola's office had no comment.
(MSNBC)
Tuesday July 16, 2002
BEDINGFIELD COLLABORATES WITH MARIAH
Daniel Bedingfield, who scored a No 1 hit with "Gotta Get Thru This", is collaborating with Mariah Carey on future tracks. The two artists are both signed to Island Def Jam in the US. US producers The Neptunes are lined up to produce the tracks. Bedingfield, who has also contributed a track to H & Claire's debut album, says: "I see myself very much as a writer. Barry White, Sting and Ms Dynamite are also on my list of people I would like to write with."
Bedingfield is currently putting the finishing touches to his debut album, "Gotta Get Thru This", due for release in August. His new single, "James Dean", is released on 5 August. The singer is also expected to tour later in the year.
(Worldpop)
Tuesday July 16, 2002
JACKO CHARITY SINGLE REVEALED
Maybe it was produced by a guy with a porno past, but who cares? A clip of "What More Can I Give?", Michael Jackson's famously unreleased charity single, is now available for listening right here at the Fox411. After months of collecting dust, now fans can make their own minds up. You can hear Celine Dion, Ricky Martin and Luther Vandross, as well as Jackson's high-pitched mellifluous tones. That's Mariah Carey doing "oo-woos" in the background. The song is a melodic cousin of Jackson's 1985 hit "I Just Can't Stop Loving You".
Now that Jackson is off Sony Records, the only question that remains is why doesn't some other enterprising record company step in and release "What More Can I Give?" as a first anniversary tribute to the Sept. 11 families? It would seem appropriate. I can't believe that the artists who participated wouldn't sign off on such an effort. If the Sony performers who are involved can't obtain releases from their companies, then public sentiment would dictate a boycott of their regular records.
Meanwhile, Sony Music may have bigger problems than its fight with Jackson. I am told that Celine Dion's husband/manager Rene Angelil is livid that his wife's current Sony/Epic Records album "A New Day Has Come" has been a flop. The CD has sold 2 million copies, which is a lot for most artists but nothing for Dion. Equally bad in sales is Marc Anthony, whose "Mended" CD is stuck around 350,000 copies. His previous effort for Sony was a huge hit with many hit singles. Neither Dion nor Anthony has had a hit single from their new albums.
But even worse is the Men in Black 2 soundtrack. Even though the movie has been an enormous hit, the album - by actor/rapper Will Smith, called "Born to Reign" - has sold a measly 104,000 copies thus far. Smith previously had managed to score big rap hits while at the same time being a box office star. Compounding the embarrassment is the fact the MIB2 is a Sony movie.
All of this bodes poorly for Ricky Martin, who's getting ready to release a new album this fall. After the monster success of "Livin' La Vida Loca", Martin took a subsequent misstep with his "Sound Loaded" album. If Sony doesn't turn his third English language effort into a hit, Martin may not so quick to support Tommy Mottola in the press. If all of that doesn't sound good, there's more bad news lurking around the corner. The word from the Sony building at 55 Madison Ave. is that John David Kalodner, the venerable eccentric and beloved producer behind Aerosmith, Kansas and Journey's greatest triumphs - and who's been with Sony since it was just Columbia Records - may not have his contract renewed next winter. Observers have already noted that Kalodner's entire department has recently been laid off. Ironically, Aerosmith's new greatest hits package - which is mostly Kalodner's work - is the lone bright spot these days for Sony on the Billboard/Soundscan charts.
(Fox 411)
Tuesday July 16, 2002
MARIAH TAKES THE ASHANTI CURE
Diva Mariah Carey has found a new solution to the problems that beset her career - R&B princess Ashanti. Mariah Carey laid low because of a notorious nervous breakdown last year, has been suffering since her debut film Glitter and the album that accompanied it failed to meet expectations.
According to Britain's Sun newspaper, she's roped in sultry Ashanti to write some chart-topping tunes for her comeback. The "Foolish" singer a great track record with songwriting - she's already written and sung backing on his tunes for Jennifer Lopez.
(WENN)
Sunday July 14, 2002
EMINEM DUMPS SAD MARIAH AFTER DAD DIES
And the award for Biggest B*****d in Pop goes to... Eminem. After leading the pack to reveal how the rap star was dating songtress Mariah Carey, I can now reveal he has cruelly dumped her in a short mobile phone call. And the charmer really picked his moment. Eminem ended their four-month fling just days after Mariah's beloved father, Alfred, lost his battle against cancer.
Friends are now seriously worried about multi-millionairess Mariah's state of mind which, considering her suicide bid last year, isn't exactly stable at the best of times. One told me: "Mariah is in pieces. Her father had been ill for some time, but his death was still a terrible shock. Then, less than a week later, Eminem phones her up and breaks it off. Mariah wasn't expecting wedding bells, but she loved his company and thought the relationship was going well. It's his terrible timing - and the cowardly way he chose to end things - that has really hurt her."
Unlucky-in-love Mariah was married to Sony Records boss Tommy Mottola for five years and then dated millionaire Luis Miguel for about two years before falling for Eminem. Meanwhile the rapper, who's worth more than £20million, is turning into a real love-'em-and-leave-'em merchant. Since he divorced wife Kim last year, he's had flings with Destiny's Child singer Beyonce Knowles and Irish babe Samantha Mumba. He was even linked to Kim Basinger, who plays Eminem's mum in 8 Mile, his autobiographical flick due out later this year. If Eminem reckons this is the way to win friends and influence people he's turning into the Real Dim Shady.
(News Of The World)
Sunday July 14, 2002
RUMOR MILL CHURNS
It's simply terrific that after 30 years plus in the music biz, Michael Jackson has decided that certain artists - especially himself - are getting a raw deal and something must be done about it. (I know Michael would be just as upset if his album "Invincible" hadn't proved to be less than that on the charts.)
I am just surprised Michael hasn't persuaded Mariah Carey to join him as he throws down his gauntlet. After all, she had her problems with Sony's big man, Tommy Mottola, whom Michael describes as "racist". Or how about Prince; he's a freedom fighter, too - remember his long rebellion against Warner Records?
Maybe Michael, Mariah, and Prince should get together on an album and show the world. I'd certainly buy it!
(New York Post)
Saturday July 13, 2002
FINALLY, MARIAH
Mariah Carey has come back. The American singer left the "good rest" of the "Digital Studios" recording studios on the Mountain Tuoro - where she is finishing the recording of her latest album - to come down to the restaurant "Villa Verde". In the local of Franco and Gianni Lembo, the maitre Franco Schiano reserved to Mariah a food surprise. Caprese tomatoes in from Franco's vegetable garden and t-shirts dedicated to the attractive singer.
(Capri Press)
Saturday July 13, 2002
ASHANTI ASKED TO LEND A HAND ON NEW ALBUM
The Sun reports Mariah Carey has asked Ashanti to write a song for her new album, which Mariah is currently recording in Capri. Carey was also recently photographed at a restaurant called "Green Villa", where Mariah was entertained by Frank Schiano and given a surprise meal as well as special t-shirts made especially for her.
(PopDirt)
Saturday July 13, 2002
MARIAH'S DAD DIES HOLDING HER HAND
Singer Mariah Carey held her father's hand as he lay dying of cancer, it was revealed yesterday. After a long battle, Alfred Carey died at his New York home. Carey flew back from the Italian island of Capri, where she was recording her first album for Universal Music, to be with her dad. Her publicist said: "She's grateful that she had a chance to spend these weeks with him." Alfred, an engineer, and Mariah's mum Patricia, a singer, divorced in 1973, but reunited a couple of years ago. A memorial service is planned.
(The Mirror)
Saturday July 13, 2002
DID PORN, SONY OR MCDONALD'S SINK JACKSON CHARITY SINGLE?
Michael Jackson's list of grievances with Sony Music has grown from complaints about the promotion of his Invincible album to include accusations that the label blocked the release of his "What More Can I Give" charity single. Jackson predicted last fall that the "We Are the World"-type song - recorded with a sizable list of participants including Mariah Carey, Ricky Martin, Usher, Beyoncé Knowles, Shakira and Nick Carter - would raise $50 million for victims of September 11.
Eight months after Jackson announced he was ready to release it, the issues surrounding why the song never came out are starting to come to light. What was seemingly just one portion of Jackson's larger issue with Sony seems to have caused a fair amount of turmoil. The Los Angeles Times reported on Friday that the project was abandoned after it was discovered that the song's executive producer had a background in porn. According to the Times, the porn connection caused McDonald's to back out of an agreement to sell the single in its restaurants. Sources in Jackson's camp, for the most part, tell a similar story, but the man at the center of the dispute said that there are other factors involved.
Jackson hired Marc Schaffel to executive produce the song and included him in plans to shoot its video, which was to be styled after Bono's "What's Going On" charity project. Jackson's vision, according to the video company hired to realize it, was to depict artists in the studio as well as at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. Though Jackson was originally slated to direct, Schaffel handled most of the arrangements and was Jackson's point person, representing the singer in conference calls and meetings, according to sources close to the project.
But when it was discovered that Schaffel had directed and produced porn, Jackson's camp wanted him out. Jackson's legal and management team sought to terminate the singer's business relationship with Schaffel in a November 15 letter sent to Schaffel's lawyers and obtained by MTV News. While the Times and Jackson insiders said Schaffel was involved in gay porn, the producer said his past work has depicted heterosexuality just as much as bisexuality and homosexuality, and he characterized his style as softcore "Spice Channel stuff". He acknowledged that his background ruffled some feathers, but insisted he wasn't terminated.
"How can I be fired when my company owns the rights to the song?" he asked. (Jackson's camp disputes Schaffel's ownership of the song but admits that he has possession of the master tapes as well as the video footage.) Instead, Schaffel maintained that Sony is using his porn background to hide its real reason for not putting out "What More Can I Give", which he said was delayed due to the marketing plan for Invincible. "Sony didn't want the single to take away from the record," he said. "So they wanted to make sure it didn't come out at the same time. After that, they had other excuses. I don't think the porn was a legit excuse. But let's say that it is. No one picketed, and I still get hundreds of e-mails from fans wanting to know what the problem is. No one cares what I did before."
Sources close to the project disagree and said that having Jackson linked with porn would have been disastrous for his already troubled image. "One press organization, an entertainment television show, found out about it," a source close to Jackson said. "And they threatened to expose it. It got stopped because it was made clear that they would never get to work with Jackson again. But then it was like, ugh, we don't want to work with it anymore, because it would be an uphill battle and it was not part of the bargain."
The extent of Sony's involvement with the single's release remains unclear, as some sources at the label said Sony was only in talks and never actually agreed to release it. Jive, by some accounts, had also expressed interest in putting out "What More Can I Give", indicating that Jackson might have shopped the song around. Schaffel maintained that despite the lack of a formal agreement, Sony was involved, since many of the artists participating were signed to Sony subsidiaries Columbia and Epic.
"Do you think any of these major artists would have stopped what they were doing and recorded their parts without Sony authorization?" Schaffel asked. "They can't do anything without an OK from Tommy [Mottola]." For its part, a spokesperson for McDonald's said that the fast food chain never had an agreement to sell the single in its restaurants. "We did have discussion about a potential deal," spokesperson Lisa Howard said, "but it fell apart [late last year] based on strict business prospects, in this case, timing, distribution and cost." Sony had no official comment.
Saturday July 13, 2002
RELEASE OF JACKSON'S 9/11 CHARITY SINGLE IN DOUBT
A charity single recorded by Michael Jackson to raise money for victims of Sept. 11 has fallen into limbo since the pop star learned that the song's executive producer is involved in the pornography business, the singer's spokesman said on Friday. The self-proclaimed King of Pop "cut all ties" with the song's original executive producer "the minute he found out about this guy's background," several months ago, Jackson publicist Dan Klores told Reuters. Klores said fallout from the disclosure and other issues had thrown into question whether the all-star single, "What More Can I Give", will ever see the light of day, but added that as of "three or four days ago there was still hope that this single will be released".
The producer in question, F. Marc Schaffel, acknowledged in an interview with the Los Angeles Times on Friday that he worked "in the adult film business" and had produced and directed dozens of gay pornography videos. But he said the flap over his porno business in connection with Jackson's project was a "smokescreen" for efforts to "shut this single down because of a bigger fight going on".
Jackson recently accused Sony Music Entertainment Inc., a unit of Japanese electronics firm Sony Corp., of blocking release the single in an escalating public feud between the singer and his music label. Sony declined comment on reports about the single, or even on whether it had ever planned to release the song. Jackson's representatives said last October he had finished studio recordings for the single, which he hoped would raise $50 million for victims' families and survivors of the suicide hijacking attacks on New York and Washington. Among the three dozen pop stars said to have lent their talent to the project were 'N Sync, Ricky Martin, Mariah Carey, Carlos Santana, Celine Dion, Tom Petty, Julio Iglesias and Reba McEntire.
The Los Angeles Times, citing unnamed sources and documents obtained by the paper, reported the singer's own advisors quietly had asked Sony to bury the project after learning of Schaffel's background. Schaffel's lawyer, Tom Byrne, said his client and Jackson have not spoken since November, "but the (charity record) project is done, so that's fine. It's not important to (Schaffel) that he gets credit for it." Schaffel, whose production company does business as Neverland Valley Entertainment, urged Sony executives in an open letter last month to release "What More Can I Give" or allow another label to issue it. Neverland also is the name of Jackson's private compound in central California.
The Times also reported that fast-food giant McDonald's Corp. pulled out of a multimillion-dollar agreement to sell the single in its restaurants over concerns about Jackson's involvement in a 1993 child molestation case that he settled for out of court for a reported $15 million. Jackson, who denied any wrongdoing, was never charged with a crime. A spokeswoman for McDonald's said the company was in talks about "a potential fund-raising effort" with Jackson last year, but "there was never an agreement between the parties". "We looked at it from a strict business perspective and decided to take a pass on it based on timing, distribution and cost issues," McDonald's spokeswoman Lisa Howard said.
Last weekend, Jackson led a protest of about 150 people in front of Sony Music headquarters in New York, calling Sony Music chief Thomas Mottola: "racist" and "devilish". Jackson has said half-hearted promotion by Sony was to blame for meager sales of his latest album, "Invincible", and accused Sony and other labels of conspiring to cheat artists, particularly black performers, out of royalties. Sony has defended its marketing of "Invincible" and dismissed Jackson's charges as "ludicrous". Industry sources have said Jackson, under contract with Sony until 2004 and among the highest-paid pop stars ever, appeared to be trying to pressure Sony into breaking his pact so he can exit with his valuable trove of master recordings.
(Reuters)
Saturday July 13, 2002
MICHAEL JACKSON'S CHARITY SINGLE DROPPED AFTER PRODUCER'S PORN TIES REVEALED
Michael Jackson's advisors were the ones who asked Sony Music to abandon the singer's charity single, "What More Can I Give", after it was discovered that the song's executive producer, F. Marc Schaffel, had ties to the gay-pornography industry, reports the Los Angeles Times. In his highly publicized dispute with Sony, Jackson claimed that the label refused to release the single. He has also accused Sony of inadequately promoting his latest album, Invincible; alleged that Sony CEO Tommy Mottola is a racist; and charged that the label has conspired to steal from African-American artists.
"What More Can I Give" was reportedly dropped after McDonald's pulled out of a multimillion-dollar deal to sell the single in its restaurants. According to sources, McDonald's was afraid there would be a negative response from customers because of Jackson's involvement in a 1993 child-molestation case that was later settled for a reported $20 million.
According to internal records and documents obtained by the Times, Jackson's advisors asked Sony to abandon "What More Can I Give" after they found out that Jackson had brought Schaffel on board to executive produce the star-studded single, and that Jackson had signed over the song's rights to Schaffel. Jackson's representatives declined to comment, but did tell the Times that when they and Jackson discovered Schaffel's background, they immediately ended their association with him. Reportedly, Sony declined comment, and representatives from McDonald's could not be reached for comment Thursday night (July 11). Calls Launch placed to Sony on Friday (July 12) seeking comment were not returned by press time.
Schaffel, who said he had produced and directed numerous gay pornography videos, said that his background in the adult film business was no secret. Said Schaffel, "I don't keep anything in my life hidden. I'm Michael's friend... I think this was just a smokescreen threat sent to shut this single down because of a bigger fight going on. It's a shame because, in the end, so many people could've been helped."
Despite the mudslinging between Jackson and Sony, the Reverend Al Sharpton still believes the "King Of Pop" will be exonerated when the media circus dies down. Speaking at a press conference during his National Action Network (NAN) summit, Sharpton told reporters he's delighted Jackson has join his cause. "I never imagined that when we decided to do it (the NAN summit) that the biggest seller of all time, Michael Jackson, will be part of it," he said. "Usually, usually we have to start with people that will never generate that kind of excitement, and I think that when all of the smoke is cleared, he still is the biggest record seller of all time, and he said we must deal with racism."
(Launch)
Friday July 12, 2002
VH1 TO FEATURE MARIAH IN NEW SPECIAL
From the story behind manufactured pre-teen pop, to history's greatest love songs, to the all-time list of music artists who really turn us on, to an unsurpassed night of fashion, music and entertainment, VH1 will present the debuts of several all-new music specials this upcoming fall season: "100 Sexiest Artists". From Elvis' pelvis to J.Lo's backside, pop stars have always been known for more than just their ability to carry a tune.
Following in the tradition of VH1's smash "100 Greatest" specials (like the "100 Greatest Albums", "100 Most Shocking Moments" and "100 Greatest One-Hit Wonders"), this five-hour, five-night countdown celebrates the musicians who turn us on. Rating music's most provocative performers from Mariah, Mick and Morrison, to Britney, Beyonce and The Beatles, the special combines rare and never-before-seen footage with exclusive new interviews that reveal what is sexy - and what makes these artists so seductive. (September 23, 2002)
(Entertainment News Daily)
Thursday July 11, 2002
MARIAH INVITED TO WESTLIFE WEDDING
Westlife hunk Shane Filan is set to tie the knot with his girlfriend Gillian Walsh in October 2002. The singer, 22, has requested time off from the band to marry Gillian, the cousin of his bandmate Kian Egan. Shane will be the second bandmember to marry. Bryan McFadden tied the knot with former Atomic Kitten star Kerry Katona in January 2002.
Invited guests for the event include Britney Spears, Marc Anthony, Nelly Furtado, Mariah Carey, 98 Degress, Jessica Simpson, and of course his bandmates to name a few .
(PopNews)
Wednesday July 10, 2002
MARIAH'S REACTION TO JACKSON'S ATTACK
New York civil rights campaigner Rev Al Sharpton has been joined by prominent black music industry players in criticizing Michael Jackson's attack on Sony boss Tommy Mottola. In a Saturday press conference with Sharpton, Jacko had blasted Mottola - ex-husband of Mariah Carey - for keeping black artists down. An uneasy Sharpton admits he was "taken aback and surprised" by the verbal assault, saying, "I have known Tommy for 15 or 20 years, and never once have I known him to say or do anything that would be considered racist. In fact, he's always been supportive of the black music industry. He was the first record executive to step up and offer to help us with respect to corporate accountability when it comes to black music issues."
Aside from Rev Sharpton, many music artists were not pleased by Jackson's race claims towards Mottola. Bobby Brown, husband of R & B artist Whitney Houston was shocked as well as others by Jackson's accusations. Brown states, "Calling Tommy Tottola a racist is carrying things way too far. I think Michael needs to end this now before he makes the situation worse for himself. I know Tommy pretty well and ain't no way he's a racist."
Destiny's Child were appalled by the reports, as well as the pop diva herself - ex wife of Mottola, Mariah Carey. Carey could not be reached for a comment but her rep Cindi Berger released this statement; "Mariah doesn't really know how to react to Michael Jackson's accusations. She was shocked of course as we all are. Throughout all the years she has known Tommy, she has never known him to be a racist. Mariah does not feel that he is such a person after all the support he had given her. Michael did not have Mariah's permission or consent to use her in his battle with Sony and she does not want any part of it."
(Music NewsWire)
Wednesday July 10, 2002
MARIAH'S DAD DIES
Superstar Mariah Carey had a horrible Independence Day, 4 July 2002 - her father Alfred Carey lost his battle with cancer. The singer flew from the Italian island of Capri, where she had been recording her latest album under her Island Def Jam records imprint, to be at her father's side at his New York home last month. Her representative Cindi Berger says, "She's grateful that she had a chance to spend these weeks with him."
Her engineer father divorced Mariah's mother Patrica, a singer, in 1973, when the star was only three years old. Mariah was estranged from Alfred from years, but reconciled a few years ago. Mourning Mariah returned to Capri on Sunday, 7 July to continue recording.
(WENN)
Tuesday July 9, 2002
MARIAH'S DAD DIES
Condolences to Mariah Carey. The "Glitter" star lost her father, Alfred, to cancer. He died on July 4 at his New York home. The singer flew back from the Italian island of Capri last month to be with her dad during the final stages of his illness. "She's grateful that she had a chance to spend these weeks with him," her rep told us.
Alfred, an engineer, and his wife, Patricia, a singer, divorced in 1973, when Mariah was 3. Though they were once estranged, in recent years they grew close again. Mariah returned to Capri on Sunday to continue recording her first CD for Universal Music. Her rep said a memorial service is being planned.
(New York Daily News)
Monday July 8, 2002
MARIAH'S MOVIE DREAMS DAMPENED
Singer Mariah Carey's hope of a movie hit is becoming increasingly unlikely - her latest movie Wise Girls has been sold straight to cable television. The curvaceous star, who's big screen debut Glitter flopped at the box office last year, was hopeful the mobster comedy Wisegirls - co-starring Mira Sorvino, would prove her acting ability. Despite a quite positive response at the Sundance Film Festival in January, the producer failed to find a distributor and was forced to sell it to cable.
(WENN)
Sunday July 7, 2002
GLITTER DVD AND VHS IN FRANCE
The Glitter DVD will be out in France on August 6 and the VHS on September 3. The French version will come with an exclusive bonus: three Mariah Carey photos. We are holding a contest for the fans to win VHS and DVDs if they manage to make a good Glitter review published in a newspaper or air on radio or TV. Mariahfanclub.com also teamed with Columbia Tristar to put a leaflet in the DVD talking about the Care Enough operation for the kids of Camp Mariah. We are really happy about that and hope to raise a lot of money for the Fresh Air Fund.
(Mariahfanclub.com)
Sunday July 7, 2002
MICHAEL JACKSON SLAMS TREATMENT OF BLACK ARTISTS
The self-ordained King of Pop Michael Jackson lashed out at the music industry's treatment of black artists - including himself - in an appearance on Saturday with New York civil rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton. "The record companies really do conspire against the artists," Jackson, 43, told an adoring crowd of around 350 people inside Sharpton's National Action Network headquarters in Harlem. "Especially the black artists."
The former boy wonder of the Jackson Five said generations of black musicians have been hurt and manipulated by profit-grabbing record companies, and called attention to his own dispute with label Sony Music. "When you fight for me, you're fighting for all black people, dead and alive," Jackson said. Jackson has called on Sony to release music recorded in a charity effort that followed the Sept. 11 attacks. There have also been charges that Sony Music, owned by Japanese media and electronics giant Sony Corp., failed to properly promote his latest album, "Invincible", which has had disappointing sales.
The dispute has won sympathy from Sharpton and lawyer Johnnie Cochran, who have started an initiative against what the two say is the exploitation of artists of all races and colors by record companies. Jackson also targeted Sony Music Entertainment chief Tommy Mottola, calling him a racist and "devilish". He accused Mottola of using the "n-word" - a highly derogatory racial slur - referring to an unidentified black Sony artist. A Sony spokesman said Jackson's comments were "ludicrous, spiteful and hurtful". "It seems particularly bizarre that he has chosen to launch an unwarranted and ugly attack on an executive who has championed his career, and the careers of so many other superstars, for many years," he said.
Later on Saturday, a group of around 150 fans - including a few Jackson look-alikes and one man who regaled the crowd with his Jackson-inspired "moonwalk" dance - gathered outside Sony's midtown Manhattan offices to call for a boycott of all Sony products and the ouster of Mottola. "We feel that they are sabotaging the album," said Chantal Obrist, who came to New York from Switzerland to join the protest. Charges that record companies have exploited minority artists are neither new nor limited to the King of Pop. Many have argued that African-American musicians have been withheld the riches generated by their creativity and performances for more than a century.
The industry has defended itself by emphasizing the financial risks taken on by record labels when they sign new artists, many of whom fail to make money. Although Jackson's groundbreaking music from his 1980s heyday influenced a generation of artists, his output has been spotty in recent years. "Invincible", which reportedly cost about $30 million to make, fell out of the U.S. top 200 charts in May after selling just 2 million copies in 28 weeks. By contrast, the new album by rapper Eminem sold as many copies in about two weeks.
(Reuters)
Saturday July 6, 2002
DVD AND VHS RELEASE OF GLITTER IN BRAZIL
After showing her incredible talent as a singer writer and producer, Mariah Carey strikes as an actress in Hollywood, proving to be more versatile than show business could ever imagine. Isabel Gomes is the twelve-year old Brazilian girl who plays young Mariah in the movie. Mariah Carey picked out this child on her own for the similarities in appearance she found in the little girl to hers in childhood. Isabel Gomes lives in the USA since she was born and comes to Brazil during vacation to spend some time with her relatives in Minas Gerais.
Isabel Gomes will be in São Paulo at Morumbi Shopping in Saraiva Bookstore on the 20th of July at 5pm; and in Rio de Janeiro, at New York City Center, at the same store, on the 21st of July for the release of the movie in Brazil. We'll be distributing free gifts for the fans, such as purses with lipstick and glitter, cd boxes, singles and posters. This event is supported by Saraiva Bookstore, São Paulo Columbia Pictures and Freedom System.
(Mariah Vision)
Saturday July 6, 2002
ORGINIAL CREATOR OF "THE WIND" PASSES AWAY
The Los Angeles jazz pianist Russ Freeman died in Las Vegas on June 27th, 2002. Although born in Chicago, Freeman arrived in southern California as a young boy in the late 1930s. He studied classical music at first, but a decade later was acknowledged in Los Angeles as a white jazzman who thoroughly understood the complexities, thrust and intensity of the new bebop music bursting out of New York.
In 1960 Freeman had founded Encore Music, to publish his own songs, and in 1991 he hit jackpot when the pop singer Mariah Carey included Freeman's almost 40-year-old song "The Wind" on her album Emotions. The resulting royalties enabled him to retire from music, and he turned down recording work offered by the veteran English producer Vic Lewis because "I don't even play for my own enjoyment these days".
(Independent News)
Thursday July 4, 2002
JACKSON VS SONY ROUND 2
The Michael Jackson camp is continuing its fight with Sony, claiming that the label has axed a charity record Jackson recorded with such luminaries as Mariah Carey, Ricky Martin, Destiny's Child, Shakira, Celine Dion and Gloria Estefan. "What More Can I Give?" was recorded as a tribute to the victims of 11 September, with all proceeds intended for charity. Sony, however refused to release the song. Sony artist Anastacia who was also involved in the project, believes that the single should have been released. She said: "I thought that his charity song 'What More Can I Give?' should have been released. I was involved in it because I believed in it and I still do. He is a great man and an amazing talent."
The track's producer Mark Schaffel has also spoken out, telling the Sun, "Sony Music are punishing many innocent beneficiaries. This is the most blatant, disgusting act of corporate greed." Sony is suspected of purposely sabotaging Jackson's career as a result of Jackson's publicly announced decision to quit the label. Jackson decided to spill the beans on his feud with Sony last month when he attended a fan party in London. Jackson said: "I just owe Sony one more album, it's just a box set, really, with two new songs which I have written ages ago... I can do the box set, just giving them any two songs. So I'll be leaving Sony, as a free agent... owning half of Sony, I own half of Sony's publishing... and I'm leaving them, and they're very angry at me, because I just did good business, you know."
Jackson went on to tell his fans that Mariah Carey came crying to him after her divorce with Sony chief Tommy Mottola. Jackson claimed: "Mariah Carey, after the divorce of Tommy, came to me crying, crying... crying, she was crying so badly I had to hold her. She said to me, 'that this is an evil man, and Michael, this man is following me'. He tapes her phones, and he's very, very evil, she doesn't trust him. We have to continue our drive until he is terminated. We can't allow him to do this to great artists."
A source said, "Basically even if Michael walks out of Sony today he gets half the revenue that many of their artists are bringing in." Sony had previously stopped all promotion of Jackson's Invincible album, leading fans to stage demonstrations against the record label in various cities. Once Jackson has given Sony two more songs to add to a Greatest Hits CD, he will have fulfilled his contract and will sign with a new record label. He is rumoured to be considering a deal with Harrod's owner Mohammed Al Fayed.
(Worldpop)
Thursday July 4, 2002
JACKO GIVES NOTHING
Michael Jackson has fallen out with Sony Music again, after they have refused to release a charity song for the families of victims of September 11. Jackson had recorded "What More Can I Give" with a host of famous singers, including Ricky Martin and Mariah Carey, but executives at Sony chose not to release the fundraising single. Speaking on behalf of Jackson, Mark Schaffel, who produced the song, said: "Sony Music are punishing many innocent people who would have been the beneficiaries. This is the most blatant disgusting act of corporate greed," reports the Sun.
Last month, Jackson claimed that he had left Sony because of their refusal to properly promote his last album, Invincible. "It's true I have left Sony," The King of Pop told fans in London. "A record company leaves you no choice when they virtually give up on promoting your album. But I've always said that great art never dies and this isn't the end of Michael Jackson." However, Sony wouldn't confirm that Jackson had left the label and this latest bust up seems to suggest that Jackson is still on their books.
(DotMusic)
Thursday July 4, 2002
MARIAH'S CAMPING RESORT
For the last week, singer Mariah Carey has retreated to Camp Mariah, the centerpiece of The Fresh Air Fund's Career Awareness Program (named after the superstar herself). The camp offers 144 boys and girls, 12 to 14 years old, four weeks of summertime challenges and adventures. Carey has been holding meetings with part-time counselor Christina [DeCanton] in organizing talent shows and musical programs. In her online journal, Christina speaks about the first show, which consisted only of camp staff.
"I am happy to say that it was a complete success," she said. "It was so much fun. I was in two different acts - one was a singing/dancing routine, and one was a comedic skit, which we called the Bus Stop Skit. At the end of the skit, they made us all go up on stage together and about a million people took our picture. We were celebrities for a day. We tried to get Mariah to participate in that skit, but she said she couldn't because she is in the middle of recording a new album and couldn't risk getting sick from all the germs."
Mariah is helping out plenty though, Christina assures everyone. "Our next show is the talent show for the kids to be in, which coincides with an end of the camp banquet show," she continued. "We're starting to plan that now. It's hard, but it's a lot of fun. Mariah is being such a huge help by choreographing routines and choosing a lot of the music, so that makes my job easier." This makes just one of the many times Mariah has lent her hand in helping out the Fresh Air Fund, which is something she has been actively pursuing since 1994.
Camp Mariah, which was also established in 1994 (in honor of Carey for her dedication, support and commitment to Fresh Air youngsters), offers a unique setting for young people to enjoy career exploration and preparation for the world of work. Campers participate in workshops in career fields including science and technology, health and fitness, communications (journalism and television production) and environmental science. In addition to these workshops, campers take classes in photography, art, computers, culinary arts, dance, drama, fashion design, music, and martial arts. Traditional camping activities - hiking, swimming, boating, sports and overnight camping - are also an important part of the summer.
(Mariah Land)
Wednesday July 3, 2002
JACKO FURIOUS AT SNUB FOR SEPT 11 RECORD
Michael Jackson is angry that a charity single he made was shelved by his record company. He recorded the track called "What More Can I Give" with stars including Mariah Carey and Ricky Martin. It had been intended to raise money for the victims of the September 11 attacks.
Marc Schaffel, who produced the single, said Jacko was furious that Sony had never released it. He told The Sun: "Sony Music are punishing many innocent people who would have been the beneficiaries. This is the most blatant, disgusting act of corporate greed." No one at Sony was able to comment.
(Ananova)
Tuesday July 2, 2002
MARIAH CAREY'S GOT A NEW MAN
Her troubles behind her, Mariah Carey is looking forward to the future with a new guy nearly a decade younger than her - hunky R&B singer Tyrese. "When Mariah laid eyes on Tyrese, she flipped," says an eyewitness at New York City's trendy Serafina eatery, where the two hooked up. "They hit it off instantly, laughing right up till closing time. That's when they whipped out their electronic organizers and exchanged phone numbers." Fate brought the duo together. Carey, 32, recently had been visiting her sick father Alfred in a New York hospital and only stopped by Serafina to pick up her cousin Sean, who's staying with her while visiting from Harvard.
It was love at first sight when Carey, dressed provocatively in a low-cut top, jeans and her trademark glittery butterfly necklace, spied Tyrese, 23, grabbing a late-night snack at the restaurant. After spending a little time sipping wine with pals, Mariah asked to be introduced to the strapping star of the John Singleton movie Baby Boy. "They talked all night and were two of the last people to leave the restaurant at 4 a.m.," says another source.
A year ago, Carey was at the lowest point in her life. Her boyfriend Luis Miguel dumped her, and she suffered an emotional meltdown. She went berserk in a New York City hotel room and spent time at Silver Hill Hospital in New Caanan, Conn. - the same place they recently treated Billy Joel. On top of her love woes, there was the fiasco of her movie Glitter, which bombed at the box office. And her record company, EMI/Virgin Records, gave her the heave-ho.
But she's singing the blues no more. With a sweet new $20 million record deal from Def Jam/Universal Records in hand, her career is back on track. And she's thrilled about finding love with Tyrese. "Mariah looks rested and happy and doesn't ramble on like she used to before her breakdown," says the source. "The only thing missing in her life is a new guy. But judging by how well she and Tyrese got along, he may be just the man to capture her heart."
(Star)
Monday July 1, 2002
TYRESE PAYS A VISIT TO MARIAH
Following Mariah Carey's August of 2001 "breakdown" due to exhaustion, she has recently started recording for her new album in Capri. Carey reportedly recruited top producers such as Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, 7 Aurelius, DJ Quik, and Jermaine Dupri. Although she obviously has plenty of company, one special beau stopped by with roses in hand to pay a visit to Mariah.
It is unconfirmed whether Tyrese's weekend visit is for recording purposes on Mariah's album or just a "friendly" visit. Whatever the reason, Tyrese was being his typical, romantic self as sources tell us that the two shared a candlelight dinner alone. Tyrese is scheduled to be back in the USA on Monday, July 1st to continue recording for his new album which is scheduled to be released in November.
(Le Notizie Della Gente)
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