Katy Perry records tribute to Freddie Mercury

Katy Perry has filmed a video tribute for Freddie Mercury's 65th birthday today (05.09.11).
The 'Firework' hitmaker - who has previously called the deceased Queen frontman her "biggest influence" - sang 'Happy Birthday' to the star and thanked him for helping her to become a "killer queen".

She said: "Happy 65th birthday Freddie, we love you so much. Even though you're gone, you're not really gone - you've inspired us all and you inspired me especially.

"Without you I wouldn't be making music or doing what I do because you're lyrics inspired me as a 15 year old girl. I heard 'Killer Queen' and I wanted to be a killer queen!

"Thank you so much for all of your amazing music, for Queen the band, for your whole persona, for your character and personality, which was larger than life. We love you and we'll never forget you."
Freddie died of bronchopneumonia brought on by AIDS on November 24 in 1991.

Katy - who is married to British comedian Russell Brand - has previously praised Freddie's "I don't give a f**k attitude" and admitted she almost got a giant tattoo of his face on her back as a tribute to him.
She said: "Freddie Mercury was - and remains - my biggest influence.

"The combination of his sarcastic approach to writing lyrics and his 'I don't give a f**k' attitude really inspired my music.

"I nearly got a huge tattoo of Freddie Mercury's face on my back a few years ago. It's probably for the best that I didn't get it done, but I still want to do it." Source

MTV video awards honor Britney Spears, Katy Perry

Pop star Lady Gaga opened the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday dressed in drag and singing her "You and I" while Britney Spears and Katy Perry took awards, but it may be Beyonce who stole the show.

The R&B singer whose hits include "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" appeared visibly pregnant as she showed up on the red carpet outside the show, posing for photographers and outlining a baby bump with her hands under her long gown.

Beyonce, who is married to rapper Jay-Z, avoided reporters waiting to ask whether she is pregnant. For years, her fans and the media have speculated whether and when the pair might have a baby.

Lady Gaga, who showed up last year at the MTV video awards in a dress made of raw meat, did an about face this year, opening the program in a man's dark suit and T-shirt as her male alter ego, Joe Calderon who gave the audience a lecture in just who Gaga is -- high heels, wild hair and crazy costumes.

"When she gets on stage, she holds nothing back," Calderon said.

Lady Gaga then launched into a version of "You and I," backed by a group of dancers and legendary rock guitarist Brian May of Queen. She danced on her piano and spewed beer from a bottle into the air in celebration.

The MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) annually give out honors for the top music videos and performances to singers and bands, and each year, audiences can count on at least one surprise.

Beyonce's picture-perfect baby news will likely be this year's unexpected event.

But awards are the focus of the night and the first winner was Spears for best pop music video "Till the World Ends."

The pop star took the stage and seemed surprised, saying she hadn't expected to win and thanking her family and fans.

Along with Spears, Foo Fighters picked up an early honor for best rock video with "Walk," and Nicki Minaj picked up the "Moonman" winner's statuette for her "Super Bass." Katy Perry and Kanye West were named best collaboration with "E.T."

Another major award still to come is best new artist, and Tyler, The Creator figures prominently in that race, too, alongside Wiz Khalifa with "Black and Yellow," Kreayshawn for "Gucci Gucci," Foster the People with "Pumped Up Kicks," and Big Sean (featuring Chris Brown) for "My Last."

British singer Adele with her chart-topping song "Rolling in the Deep" is vying for the top award, video of the year, against Katy Perry ("Firework"), Bruno Mars ("Grenade"), the Beastie Boys ("Make Some Noise") and Tyler, The Creator ("Yonkers").

Early performances included a duet by Jay-Z and Kanye West, singing a song from their new album, "Watch the Throne."

Other singers still to come include Lil Wayne, and there will be special tributes to Britney Spears and late soul singer Amy Winehouse. (Reuters)

Katy Perry, "Five Hot 100 numbers from same album."

Katy Perry has become the first female artist to achieve five Hot 100 number ones from a single album.

The singer has managed to top the Hot 100 chart this week with her latest single 'Last Friday Night', after releasing a remix featuring Missy Elliot last week, reports Billboard.

The remix accounted for 25% of the song's overall digital sales, while the original track remains atop the US radio songs listings.

Perry has now matched a record set by Michael Jackson in 1987-88, when the late King of Pop produced five chart-toppers from his multi-million-selling album Bad.

Perry and Jackson are the only two artists to have reached the landmark in the Billboard Hot 100's 53-year-long history

The five singles - 'California Gurls', 'Teenage Dream', 'Firework', 'E.T.' and 'Last Friday Night' - have all been lifted from Perry's second studio album Teenage Dream.

The album topped both the US Billboard 200 and the UK album chart upon its release last August and has more than 2.2 million combined sales in the territories.

Women dominating on music world

Rihanna has insisted that Lady GaGa, Katy Perry, Beyoncé and she are the women who are currently dominating the pop music scene. The singer, who finished up the US leg of her ‘Loud’ tour on Sunday, said that it is “exciting” so many female stars are topping the charts and selling more records than their male contemporaries.

‘’There’s a pack. It’s me, GaGa, Katy Perry, Beyoncé... who else? Ke$ha for sure,” she told Glamour magazine. “Women are definitely dominating music right now, and that’s because we are competitive beings. I feel like music hasn’t been this exciting in a while.” She added: “All my friends are guys, to be completely honest. But when I met [Katy Perry], it was such a breath of fresh air.

 I just couldn’t believe this chick had no edit button... Katy and Lady GaGa came out of the gate exactly the way they think, the way they wanna dress, the way they wanna speak.’’ The 23-year-old recently revealed that ‘Cheers’ will be the sixth single to be lifted from her multi-million-selling Loud album.