The superstar singer passed away suddenly, her publicist confirms. How tragic.

Whitney Houston has died at age 48, her publicist confirmed on Feb. 11.

Although the cause of death has not been revealed, Jill Fritzo, a publicist of Whitney’s, told HollywoodLife.com EXCLUSIVELY that she had passed away, saying, “unfortunately, true.”

Houston died at the Beverly Hilton Hotel and l employees, tell TMZ .com … Whitney Houston was found dead in the bathtub of her room. As of 1 am  set Feb 12, Houston’s body was still at the hotel, police sources confirmed to Hollywoodlife.com.

Sources say there were no obvious signs of foul play, but BHPD detectives have launched a full investigation. L.A. County Coroner Ed Winter tells HollywoodLife.com that it is too early in the investigation to tell what happened.

Whitney was one of the best-selling pop artists of all time, with over 55 million records sold in the United States alone. Furthermore, she had great success acting, with star-making turns in films such as the smash hit The Bodyguard , and Waiting To Exhale.

She was also known for her tumultuous relationship with her ex-husband Bobby Brown. Upon hearing of Whitney death, Bobby immediately began calling friends and family.

“He wanted to tell everyone about it before it hit the news,” one of his relatives told PEOPLE magazine. “He didn’t want any of us to hear about it on television.”

As Brown spoke to family members, the shock of Houston’s sudden death turned to grief. “He could hardly get the words out when he called me,” says the relative. “He was sobbing, and by the end of the call, I was sobbing too. He’s beside himself right now.”

Brown learned the news about his ex-wife while in Memphis, where he is currently on location for a New Edition concert. He is “shattered and beyond devastated,” says the source.

CNN spoke to Johnny Gill who is in Memphis with Bobby Brown for a New Edition concert. He told them: “Bobby is struggling and devastated” at hearing that Whitney has died. He has apparently spoken to their daughter Bobbi Kristina, 18, who Hollywoodlife.com has learned was with Whitney in Los Angeles and was “not doing well” Brown said.

Houston’s passing was confirmed by her publicist, and Beverly Hills Police Lieut. Mark Rosen said on Saturday, Feb 11,  that the 48-year-old singer “was pronounced dead at 3:55 p.m. this afternoon at the Beverly Hilton Hotel,” following a 3:43 p.m. call from hotel security.

The best-selling pop artist wed soul crooner Bobby Brown in 1992 in a marriage that surprised many, given Brown’s bad-boy reputation. The following year, the couple welcomed a daughter, Bobbi Kristina.

After a tumultuous relationship that included a charge of domestic abuse against Brown in 1993, the two divorced in 2007.

Despite their breakup, the couple remained friendly, a relative of Bobby Brown’s tells HollywoodLife.com,  ”They had Bobbi Kristina in common, and were determined to be co-parents to her. They didn’t hate each other. In fact, there was a lot of respect. So this has hit Bobby really hard. He is devastated. He loved her very much. This is a very sad time for him.”

She leaves behind a daughter, Bobbi Kristina.The last time Houston was seen publicly was at a pre-Grammys party, Feb. 9, where she sang , ‘Jesus, Loves You”.

Her professional mentor Clive Davis did not cancel his annual pre-Grammys party  held at the Beverly  Hilton – the same hotel where Whitney died- in Los Angeles tonight although a source tells Hollywoodlife.com that he did not attend. He has said:  ”Whitney had one of the best voices of all time!” But guests at the party told Hollywoodlife.com that it was more like a funeral, than a party.

Several celebrities tweeted about the death shortly after the news went public, including Justin Bieber who wrote, “Just heard the news. so crazy. One of the GREATEST VOICES EVER just passed. RIP Whitney Houston. My prayers go out to her friends and family I am sadden to hear of the passing of Whitney Houston today…”

Miley Cyrus tweeted, “I LOVE Whitney : ( I’m not turning my tv on. just gonna stay @ home & listen 2 her records.
Mariah Carey expressed her condolences over a series of tweets, saying, “Heartbroken and in tears over the shocking death of my friend, the incomparable Ms. Whitney Houston. My heartfelt condolences to Whitney’s family and to all her millions of fans throughout the world. She will never be forgotten as one of the greatest voices to ever grace the earth.”

Her husband, Nick Cannon, wrote, “‘To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord’ RIP to Whitney Houston a true queen.”

The X Factor’s Melanie Amaro tweeted, “I love u sooo much Whitney Houston :’( u will always be in my heart and my mind an my soul your music made me the girl I am today :(”

Aretha Franklin said, “I just can’t talk about it now. It’s so stunning and unbelievable. I couldn’t believe what I was reading coming across the TV screen. My heart goes out to Cissy (Houston’s mother), her daughter Bobbi Kris, her family and Bobby (Brown).”

Dolly Parton, who wrote “I Will Always Love You,”  Whitney’s greatest hit song, said, “mine is only one of the millions of hearts broken over the death of Whitney Houston. I will always be grateful and in awe of the wonderful performance she did on my song and I can truly say from the bottom of my heart, ‘Whitney, I will always love you. You will be missed.’”

Quincy Jones, said he was “absolutely heartbroken…She was a true original and a talent beyond compare.”

Singer Keri Hilson  wrote, “Watching the news now…it’s true. R.I.P. Whitney Houston. Ugh I hate that I’m even typing this…I’m shocked. She was my hero growing up.”

Actress Nina Dobrev also tweeted, writing, “#iwillalwaysloveyou is one of the most beautiful and iconic songs. It will be remembered forever. Rest in peace Whitney Houston.”

President of the Recording Academy Neil Portnow released a statement saying, “Six-time Grammy winner Whitney Houston was one of the world’s greatest pop singers of all time who leaves behind a robust musical soundtrack spanning the past three decades. Her powerful voice graced many memorable and award-winning songs. A light has been dimmed in our music community today, and we extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends, fans and all who have been touched by her beautiful voice.”

We will miss Whitney’s talent, which she displayed in amazing songs like “I Will Always Love You.”

Just in…according to TMZ, Beverly Hills police have sealed off the room where Whitney Houston died and will not enter until they obtain a search warrant . The police want to conduct a thorough search of the hotel room, but are exercising caution by getting a warrant. We’re told one thing police are interested in is whether drugs are present in the room.  Although police could seize items in plain view, we’re told they want a top-to-bottom search of the room.

Whitney’s on-again, off-again boyfriend Ray J celebrated Brandy’s (his sister’s) birthday today.  According TMZ, Ray J’s publicist is saying that Whitney’s bodyguard is the person that found Whitney dead.

Whitney Houston sweats profusely and appears dishevelled as she leaves the Tru Hollywood nightclub on Thursday night. She partied with a large group of friends before 'clashing' with security guards, right, then being driven away to her hotel, where she died yesterday afternoon

Kim seen right with actress Jane Fonda and, right, Diana Ross with Berry Gordy

Davis decided to continue with the party, despite his protege's tragic passing

Miss Houston's daughter  Bobbi Kristina, left, and her ex-husband  Bobby Brown get into a car after an evening out at Crustacean restaurant in Beverly Hills on February 2.

Singer Alicia Keys consoles Miss Houston's long-time mentor Clive Davis, also the Chief Creative Officer of Sony Music Entertainmen

he singer joins her family after what will have been one of their last nights out together

Looking radiant in a white one-shouldered dress, Houston gives an incomparable performance at the peak of her career when she was one of the world's most popular singers

Bowing out: Miss Houston lowers her head to the crowd during the superstar-quality performance

Houston, pictured in 1965, was the daughter of gospel singer Cissy Houston, the cousin of 1960s pop diva Dionne Warwick and the goddaughter of Aretha Franklin

Houston sings with Jermaine Jackson during rehearsals for a TV performance in 1984

In 1992, she became a star in the acting world with 'The Bodyguard'. The story of a singer guarded by a former Secret Service agent was a success

She was a frequent winnerat the Grammys and other high-profile award ceremonies

Houston collects one of the  manyaccolades she received throughout her career.

South African President Nelson Mandela and Whitney Houston smile for photographers in Johannesburg

Houston with Mariah Carey, one of the young singers who followed in her wake

Houston performs with singer Bobby Brown, left. Their turbulent marriage was the subject of tabloid gossip for years

Winfrey and Brown met with Israel's prime minister Ariel Sharon on a trip to the Middle Eastern country in 2003

Her emaciated appearance led to rumours she had died the next day. Right, a year later, again in New York, the singer was still struggling with a troubled relationship and cocaine abuse

The I Will Always Love You singer suffers a waldrobe malfunction on the X Factor in 2009 in what was supposed to be the start of her comeback tour. Many of the subsequent shows were later cancelled

A dark and tragic end: The body of Whitney Houston is wheeled out of the suite of the hotel in Los Angeles where she 'drowned in the bath' following two apparent evenings of out-of-control binges

Danni Minogue, left, Simon Cowell, Whitney Houston and Cheryl Cole, right, backstage on the X Factor. Whitney's performance raised concerns for her health with Cowell saying the warning signs were clear

It has been claimed that Ms Houston drowned in a bathtub, similar to this one in a suite at the Beverly Hills Hilton, after accidentally overdosing on a cocktail of prescription drugs and alcohol

A coroner's van leaves the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, California, this morning where Whitney Houston was found dead. She is said to have 'drowned in the bathtub'

The corridor on the fourth floor of the hotel close to the room where Miss Houston died. Right, mourners gather at a makeshift memorial on the corner of Santa Monica and Wiltshire Boulevards

The award-winning R&B singer had taken a suite at the Beverly Hills Hotel in LA to get ready for tonight's Grammys

The scene outside the Beverly Hilton hotel in Los Angeles, California today where Miss Houston was found dead in a suite on the fourth floor

A police van pulls up outside the Hilton after Houston's death. Right, officers gather outside the hotel as an investigation begins into the causes of death

Wizkid – Lowkey Freestyle

EME Star, Wizkid today shares a leak to his freestyle titled ‘Lowkey’ produced by one of the best producers in Nigeria, I’m talking about Samklef. The guy goes in hard on this freestyle but I must say it has some explicit content. Enjoy, download and share your thoughts.






click play to listen

DOWNLOAD

Eedris blasts D’banj, other pro-Jonathan campiagners

Eedris Abdulkareem has blasted the Mo’Hits

Rapper Eedris Abdulkareem has blasted the Mo’Hits pop singer D’banj and other Nigerian artistes who campaigned for President Goodluck Jonathan before the April Polls in 2011.

He particularly called D’banj names for allegedly collecting money from the government.

The Kennis Music act spoke at the ‘OccupyNigeria’ protest on Monday January 9, in support of the on-going strike against the Federal government’s removal of Fuel subsidy, held at  the Gani Fawehinmi Park. He called out the names of all the artists that campaigned for president Jonathan last year.

About D’Banj, he said, “F… that b… D’Banj for collecting money from Goodluck, God will punish you”

The rapper also revisited his past issues with former president Olusegun Obasanjo.

‘The man wey say i dey craze because i sing Nigeria jaga jaga where him dey now inside this hardship. Na 2002 I sing Nigeria JagaJaga, na 2012 we dey so o’, Eedris lamented to the mammoth crowd.

The rapper who has six albums credited to his career had released ‘Jaga jaga’, a single which described the country’s down-state back in 2002. Obasanjo supposedly replied him derogatorily.

Eedris disclosed that he was also approached to campaign for the current president but he said ‘no’. ‘They called me too but I turned them down, D’banj can’t be here because he knows he has disappointed the people’, Eedris said.

Others at second day of the protest include Olu Maintain, Pasuma, Zeez, Femi Kuti, Eldee, Seun Kuti, Salawa Abeni, Tosyn Bucknor,Tunde Bakare, Dele Osunmakinde, Bimbo Akintola, Desmond Elliot and several others. In related news, the rapper recently released a sequel to his ‘Jaga jaga’ hit song titled ‘Jaga jaga Pt 2’; the message doesn’t stray away from the content in the original song.

Beyonce gives birth to baby girl - Ivy Blue Carter

Beyonce and Jay-Z are reported to have rented an entire hospital floor Picture

Singer Beyonce Knowles has reportedly given birth to a baby girl at a hospital in New York City.

Mother and baby were both "doing fine," her hometown newspaper, the Houston Chronicle, reported. The news was later confirmed by entertainment news website E! Online, which said the birth was by C-section.

The 30-year-old Destiny's Child and Single Ladies star is married to hip-hop icon Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter.

Jay-Z was telling friends he and Beyonce named their daughter Blue Ivy Carter, E! Online reported. Other media outlets named the baby as Ivy Blue Carter, but representatives for the couple have yet to officially confirm the news.

Pop star Rihanna and hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons were among the couple's friends to tweet their congratulations.

Simmons tweeted: "Congrats to my good friends Beyonce and Jay-Z."

"Welcome to the world princess Carter! Love Aunty Rih," pop star Rihanna tweeted later.

The couple rented out the entire fourth floor of Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan for the birth - paying $1.3 million, the New York Daily News reported.

The medical centre prepared a luxurious suite for her and had just finished a major renovation of a dozen rooms and a nursing station for the couple's arrival, sources said.

The newspaper said a hospital staffer had revealed Beyonce had checked in Friday night under the name "Ingrid Jackson."

Hospital management reportedly put tape over security cameras and forced staff to hand in their cell phones in an effort to stop unauthorised photographs or footage of mother and baby being leaked.

Security guards were also reported to have been sighted outside the building.

Beyonce revealed her pregnancy at August's 2011 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles, arriving in a dress that showed off her baby bump.

Former bandmate Kelly Rowland appeared to let slip the baby's sex in a November interview, saying, "I have no idea what I'm going to buy Beyonce at the baby shower because Jay is going to buy that little girl every single thing possible. She won't be spoiled but she will be very well looked-after."

Beyonce's representatives did not return requests for comments. A hospital spokeswoman also declined to comment.

Last month Twitter exploded with rumours Beyonce had given birth to a baby girl and had named her Tiana-May Carter.

Happy New Year to all our blog visitors

Along with the entire team of Entertainment Talks, I'd like to take this opportunity to wish each and every one of you a very Happy New Year, filled with love, light, peace, joy and good health for 2012!

It's a been a tough past year once again for many, but no matter what, you guys are still visitng our blog, and if you haven't visited us yet, we're hoping you want to. That's why we Entertainment Talks will be positing update news in Entertain World. So don't worry: Even if you can't get Entertainment World just yet, we'll keep bringing Entertainment World to you.





I'd also like to take this opportunity to extend a very special thanks to all of our writers, contributors, and partners.


We appreciate the continued support we get from all of our readers and look forward to a great 2012 with you!


With gratitude,


Entertainment Talks Team.



Note: To become one of  our writers, contributors, and partners, kindly send mail to: yomiteng@aol.com.

Adele sells most albums in a year since 2004

British singer Adele performs ''Someone Like You'' at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles, August 28, 2011.

That Adele's "21" will rank as the year's top-selling album is no surprise - the English singer-songwriter's hits "Rolling in the Deep" and "Someone Like You" dominated playlists in 2011. What is surprising is that "21," released by independent British label XL Recordings, sold more than 5 million copies.

The last time an album topped the year-end chart with more than 5 million copies sold was in 2004, when Usher's "Confessions" moved 7.9 million, according to Nielsen Soundscan, which supplied all sales data for this story.

Indeed, music sales overall are expected to end 2011 up more than 3 percent from last year. Not coincidentally, the last time overall music sales rose by so much was in 2004 as well.

The resurgence in sales is welcome news for the music industry. A meager 1 percent increase in digital sales last year created widespread panic that the format had already plateaued.

Nielsen analyst David Bakula attributed the rebound to a strong release slate, plus retailers getting more aggressive with pricing and promotions.

For instance, Lady Gaga's album "Born This Way" was priced at 99 cents - less than one-tenth the price of most albums - in a special deal, helping drive sales beyond her core fans, he said. The promotion on Amazon.com angered other retailers who were selling the album at full price, however.

"In 2004, you had one massive album driving sales," said Bakula, senior vice president of entertainment analytics for Nielsen. "This year is similar in that you have one really great story that everyone is talking about."

Digital sales are expected to end 2011 close to 10 percent higher, prompting Bakula to proclaim the sales performance "a great resurgence."

Physical albums still outsell digital albums by a 2:1 margin. But total music sales, which would include digital singles, are now split 50-50 between physical and digital.

TOPPING 5 MILLION

To put Adele's sales figures in context, the more than 3.5 million physical albums she sold this year would have been good enough to take the top spot in each of the last three years without even adding in digital sales. Album sales include LPs, compact discs and digital albums.

Figures for the year's best-selling album declined every year from 2004 to 2008. They hit an all-time low in 2008 when Lil Wayne's "Tha Carter III" took the top spot with sales of just 2.9 million, the first time an album claimed the best-seller title with sales of less than 3 million.

Since 2008, however, sales of the top-selling album of the year have increased, though not by much. Taylor Swift took the top spot in 2009, selling 3.2 million copies of "Fearless." Eminem's "Recovery" finished 2010 as the year's best-seller with 3.4 million copies.

"Adele's performance this year shows the demand for great original music," Bakula said. "Here's an artist that had moderate success before, but nothing of this magnitude, and she's doing it all on two singles."

Amy Winehouse's death from alcohol poisoning in July also factored into Adele's sales performance. Bakula said the attention Winehouse's death received stoked interest among fans to sample other soulful, jazz-infused female British singer-songwriters, like Adele and Duffy. As a result, in addition to buying "21," consumers dipped into Adele's back catalog, making her prior release, "19," one of the year's top 25 best-sellers.

Still, Adele's sales total is less than half of the more than 11 million copies that "No Strings Attached" from N'Sync sold in 2000. That year marked the last time the top spot featured an album that sold in excess of 10 million, underscoring the dramatic impact that legitimate digital distribution channels like Apple's iTunes and illegal file-sharing sites such as Limewire have had on the music industry.

Van Halen unveils new tour with Roth aboard

David Lee Roth of Van Halen performs at Tiger Jam XI in Las Vegas April 19, 2008.

Veteran rockers Van Halen unveiled plans on Monday for a tour with original lead singer David Lee Roth returning to the stage.

In a video posted on the band's website, www.van-halen.com, Eddie Van Halen, brother Alex and son Wolfgang play the hit "Panama" while Roth runs around on stage. Underneath reads "Van Halen On Tour 2012" with tickets going on sale January 10.

No other details were announced, but the video confirms music industry buzz that the band is together again with Roth. An album is said to be in the works, too, after Van Halen signed a record deal in November.

A separate posting on the Van Halen News Desk website said the video was shot at the Roxy Theatre along Los Angeles' Sunset Strip while the band performed "a brand-new song."

The news site speculated about a possible February release date for a new song or album, and said the record was produced by Ross Hogarth. It is the band's first full album with Roth since the CD "1984," which was released on December 31, 1983.

Van Halen's relationship with Roth has been a stormy one over the years. Roth left the band in a bitter breakup in 1985, only to rejoin for a performance at the MTV Video Music Awards in 1996, then quickly depart in another bitter split. He returned to Van Halen for a tour in 2007-2008.

The band, whose early hits include "Runnin' With the Devil" and "Dance the Night Away," was among the leading rock acts of the late 1970s, 1980s and into the 1990s when Sammy Hagar replaced Roth as singer.

Michael Anthony was the original bassist, but alongside Hagar he has joined another band, Chickenfoot. Wolfgang Van Halen, Eddie's son, took over on bass.

Tu Face, D’banj, Asa, others enliven Calabar Carnival

Asa

This is the best place to be at this time. If you are not experiencing Calabar this Christmas season, then you are not experiencing anything at all. So I would advise those who are outside the city to take some time out and visit Calabar this period. There’s just everything. Peace, hospitality and an atmosphere filled with fun and excitement. I can’t wait for the carnival. Everybody just has to be here. As they say, the taste of the pudding is in the eating.”

For 32 days, Calabar, the Cross River State capital will witness exciting cultural events and colourful activities that usually attract millions of people all over the world. Since inception, this festival, which has become one of the biggest tourism and leisure attractions in West Africa, has grown tremendously in popularity and scope.

Over the past years, the Cross River State government has used this carnival to drive its tourism sector and provide exposure for its citizens, as well as develop its vast tourism sites and infrastructure such as the Obudu Ranch Resort, the Tinapa Business Resort, Marina Resort.

The festival commenced with a tree-lighting ceremony on November 30 at the Millennium Park, Calabar and will end with a thanksgiving ceremony on January 1 of the succeeding year.

Usually, musical concerts that feature renowned national and international artistes are used to make the carnival very attractive. People like the late Lucky Dube, Joe, Alpha Blondy, Hugh Masekela, Oliver Mtukudzi, Akon, Kirk Franklin, Donnie McClurkin, Chevelle Franklyn, Fat Joe, NeYo, Asa, D’banj had at one time or the other graced the event with their rhythms and lyrics.

Other attractions of the festival include awareness campaign and seminars on contemporary issues of global concern, children’s Christmas camp, theatre performances, vocational training for youths, fashion and food fair, a weekend at the Obudu Mountain Resort to celebrate Africa, and so many other side attractions. Of course there is usually a two-day carnival to spice up the season.

Despite the fun and relaxed atmosphere around the carnival, a great degree of thought, creativity and discipline goes into the interpretation of the carnival theme under a strict adjudication process. The result is pure magic – an outpouring of colour, sound and spectacle, unmatched by anything else on the continent.

Calabar Carnival takes place on December 26 and 27 each year, and is the highlight of the 32-day festival which runs from  November 30 to January 1. The carnival is the largest cultural festival in Africa, with 50,000 costumed revelers, 2 million spectators and an audience of over 50 million television viewers on NTA Network, NTA International, AIT, CRBC and Continental TV (Africa Magic, Channel 0 and MTV Base).

The carnival features 5 major competing bands and many others.

The major bands comprise of approximately 10,000 revelers each, including up to five kings and queens wearing large scale costumes that interpret the annual theme and set the tone for the other outfits.

Sections of these costumed revelers create a riot of colour and sparkle, accompanied by live music, DJs, well-decorated floats and steel bands. The carnival parade terminates at the U. J. Esuene Stadium which is the final adjudication and end point of the competition for the ‘Band of the Year’ in various categories. This competition attracts an additional 15,000 seated spectators and 10,000 others in and around the stadium, as well as 50 million TV viewers.

Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State unveiled the theme for the year: “Endless Possibilities” during a ceremony tagged, “A Glimpse of Destination, Cross River.” He described as “tedious and tasking, the process of finding a suitable theme for the carnival because it is more than dancing and costuming as the latest does not reflect the previous ones.”

Each of the five carnival bands are guided by the theme and expected to work hard to interpret them into dance, float and costume as they affect the people and the future.This year’s festival is well-packaged and better than the previous editions as it is driven by the visions shown a few years ago.

The Calabar Festival was initiated by the immediate past governor of the state, Mr. Donald Duke.  Unveiling the ceremony was only a tip of the iceberg as more await those that intend to visit Cross River State this December.

All things being equal, business booms as the Calabar festival village begins. For revelers and fun seekers in the country, there can be no better place to be in this yuletide season than the Cross River State capital, especially with the opening of the festival village at the cultural centre complex. The festival village, strategically located at the middle of town at the moment, is the hub of economic activities and revelry and the perfect place to relax, socialise and have a good time.

However, it is not all about song and dance, the organisers of this landmark event said. “It is a festival that showcases the best of music, culture and talent. The festival is Cross River State’s tourism niche,” says Nzan Ogbe, special adviser to the state governor on Events Management.

Youths in particular stand to benefit from the festival as there are programmes aimed at training interested youths in various aspects of events production, management and entertainment. According to him, the festival committee worked round the clock to ensure that visitors to the serene city of Calabar during this period go away with a full sense of satisfaction.

New activities have been introduced, such as the Calabar Water Carnival—a boat regatta that would showcase the state’s rich culture on water, a food fair, which will also bring to the fore the state’s cuisine, the governor’s masked ball, a unique charity event and a host of other fascinating programmes.

“The festival is a compendium of activities with diverse scope and content, which we try to improve on every year,” Ogbe concluded, adding, “With new initiatives introduced this year and a strong committee, I can say we are going places and reaching for the higher height.”

However, due to reports of persistent stealing of handbags, snatching of GSM Phones, raping of innocent women and other atrocities perpetrated during Christmas festivals in the state, the Cross River State government has reeled out rules for Calabar Festival.

Government had warned spectators and participants at the festival not to attend the various ceremonies with their handbags or any other bag, noting that the safety and comfort of participants were paramount to the government.

The statement made available to LEADERSHIP WEEKEND said, “Spectators are advised not to come with handbags or any other bag to the venue of the festival events. Your safety and comfort is our topmost concern. Enjoy the Calabar Festival peacefully. The statement added, “The general public is hereby advised to note that the Calabar Festival stadium entrance, through the Naval Base, is strictly for holders of paid tickets.”

Other spectators to grace the event at the stadium who are not paying are advised to use the entrances through the Murtala Muhammed highway as well as the IBB Way, with their destinations clearly marked on them.

Interestingly, Governor Liyel Imoke expressed happiness over the number of private sponsors the festival has attracted, including Nigeria’s top brands, First Bank, Guinness and Dangote Group.

On the security of tourists in the face of the current situation in the country, the governor said he would not take anything for granted as effort is being intensified to revamp the Emergency Response Centre and reposition it for quicker response while 20 independent special security squad is to be strategically located at various points in the state to check any breach of peace.

Answering questions on why the festival is allowed into the night, he said  the initiative was deliberate because that is the right period for the  sponsors to get value for their investment as many people would be glued to their television sets.

D'banj and Tuface

Emeli Sande wins BRITs' Critics' Choice Award

Emeli Sande

Scottish singer-songwriter Emeli Sande on Thursday won the Critics' Choice Award organized by the BRITs to honor up-and-coming music stars.

Previous winners have included Jessie J, Ellie Goulding and Adele, whose second album "21" is set to be this year's global top seller.

"To win a BRIT Award so early in my career is beyond a dream come true," said Sande, who decided to drop her first name Adele and use to her middle name instead after Adele's rise to fame.

"I am overwhelmed to be the recipient of such a prestigious award."

The other two shortlisted artists for the prize, which has helped young artists gain wider media attention, were runner-up Maverick Sabre and third-placed Michael Kiwanuka.

Sande, in her early 20s, began her career in music writing songs for other artists including Chipmunk, Professor Green and Tinie Tempah.

She rose to public prominence in 2009 when she featured on the song "Diamond Rings" by Chipmunk.

"Heaven," the first single from Sande's upcoming debut album "Our Version of Events," hit shelves in August and went to No. 2 in the British singles charts.

Sande recently performed on tour and is currently supporting Coldplay across Britain and Europe. "Our Version of Events" is released is set to be released in February, 2012.

Janet Jackson puts new "face" on weight loss

It's no secret that Janet Jackson has battled weight issues her entire life, but what her fans may not know is that even when the singer is on tour, sweating every night, she still has problems staying slim.

So Jackson joined the ranks of Nutrisystem users on Thursday to become the "new face" of the weight-loss program, promoting a new "SUCCESS" diet plan even as she uses it to help raise money to feed the world's hungry.

The "Rhythm Nation" singer and member of the famous Jackson family, wrote fearlessly about self-image issues in her book, "True You," documenting a period in 2006 when she put on weight for a movie and ballooned to 180 lbs, only to become fodder for fat jokes in the tabloid press.

But Jackson said it's not only working as an actress that can cause her to put on pounds. Rather, it is everyday life that gets her. And even after dancing and singing nearly every night on her "Number Ones," she still battles weight gain.

"Your body gets used to different exercises, and I've been performing for so long that my body's just used to it. Actually, I have to work a little harder while doing a show," she told Reuters.

Weight gain, she said "is something I've dealt with my entire life."

In her book "True You," which was published in hardcover earlier this year and hit stores in paperback this week, Jackson writes "eating was emotional for me; eating calmed my nerves and brought me instant gratification."

After Nutrisystem chief executive Joe Redling read the book, he approached Jackson about his weight-loss program and gave her some of Nutrisystem's pre-packaged foods to sample while on tour. Jackson said she was sold.

"When I was in hair and makeup, we were all taste testing. Everybody was going crazy for it," she said.

LOVE THE CHEESE PUFFS

When asked her favorite Nutrisystem meal, Jackson said "I can't say there's just one thing," then she paused.

"They do have cheese puffs," she said. "It had been years since I wrapped my lips around cheese puffs because they were things I had to stay away from."

Jackson joins a long list of celebrities, including Kirstie Alley and Jennifer Hudson, who have publicly battled weight loss and endorsed diet programs. Typically, the stars document how much they lose, but Jackson doesn't want to do that.

"I'm going about this a different way by not putting a pound amount on it," she said. "It's about when I feel healthy, about when I feel good. That is how I want to be," she said.

Like most people, she pops her meals into a microwave to heat them up, but is quick to add that, unlike many others, she has a trainer to help her work out. She stresses the importance of exercise, but emphasizes that people don't need a trainer when all they really need to do is go for a long walk or do other everyday activities that get them off their couches.

Key to Jackson's involvement in Nutrisystem, she said, is that for every pound its dieters loose in 2012, the company will donate $1 worth of food to people in need. The pair have created "Nutribank," (www.nutribank.org ), to work with hunger organizations around the world. Last year, Nutrisystem users lost 10 million pounds, in total.

"I feel that my true calling is to help people," she said. Now, that calling extends to weight loss and quashing hunger.

Lady Gaga crushes rivals in 2011 music earnings

Lady Gaga towered over other female musicians in 2011, heading a list of top earning women with an estimated $90 million in income, according to a Forbes.com survey released on Wednesday.

The "Born This Way" singer and performance artist made more than double her nearest rival -- country/pop artist Taylor Swift -- thanks to multiple endorsement deals and an estimated $1.3 million nightly gross ticket sales from her concert tour.

Swift earned about $45 million, thanks to her hit album "Speak Now", perfume line, and other deals, just ahead of "Teenage Dream" singer Katy Perry with $44 million.

Forbes.com drew up its list from data on pre-tax income compiled through record sales, touring data and interviews with music lawyers, managers and concert promoters.

Beyonce's 2011 income dipped to an estimated $35 million, mostly because of her relatively small amount of touring this year, but her new album "4", fashion line, and two fragrances helped to put her in 4th place.

Rihanna rounded out the top 5, earning an estimated $29 million from sales of her album "Loud", and endorsements from cosmetics company CoverGirl.

The full list can be seen on the Forbes.com site at tinyurl.com/d36m7gd.

Kris Humphries says he is moving forward, in first interview since Kim Kardashian split

Kris Humphries, seen here with Kim Kardashian just after they got engaged.

KRIS Humphries broke his silence overnight, speaking out for the first time about his much-publicised wedding and split with Kim Kardashian after only 72 days of marriage.


"I'm just focused on family and preparing for basketball," he said during an appearance on ABC's Good Morning America.

Asked what he is doing now, Humphries, 26, remarked, "Just moving forward."

As for Kardashian filing for divorce, Humphries dodged the question on how he reacted to that decision. "For me, it's just -- certain things happen in life, and you have to move forward," he said.

On whether Humphries still loves Kim, Humphries laughed and remarked, "I'm focused on just what I can control, which is being ready to play ball and supporting my mom and her cookie-baking."

Humphries, a free-agent center who spent part of the last two seasons with the Nets, said that having his wedding and marriage play out on TV was not the reason for the split.

"I can't say for sure. It's the only time I've been married," he said. "I've been in front of cameras on the NBA since I was 19. It's a different level, but for me, it's about moving forward and give back to my foundation, focusing on childhood obesity. Life is more about how you can help other people and making the most out of your platform."

Humphries also said he does not watch Kourtney & Kim Take New York on TV these days.

"The thing for me, the only things I watch of myself is playing basketball, games films, stuff like that. I've never been someone who really watched the show on TV," he said.

Humphries repeated several times that he is "focused on basketball" and did not go into detail about his request for an annulment.

Swe Bar Hosts Top 10 Mics Pre-Party Concert

The much talked about TOP 10 Mics Concert  is billed to hold on December 23, 2011 but as a build up to the event, popular hangout spot Swe Bar will play host to the 10 artistes billed to perform at the concert.

In what has been tagged as pre-concert party, the event will hold on Saturday, December 10, 2011 and will be attended by friends, partners and a selected few to ‘party, mingle, and dance exclusively to the songs of the 10 artistes on parade for the December 23rd concert’.

Revered and popular comedian Ali Baba will be the host of the night’s event and will be supported Chioma of Silverbird TV.

As announced earlier, the ten artistes billed to perform at the concert include 2face Idibia, Wizkid, Duncan Mighty, Mo’Cheddah, Obesere, Sir Shina Peters, Femi Kuti, M.I, Psquare, and eLDee.The much talked about TOP 10 Mics Concert  is billed to hold on December 23, 2011 but as a build up to the event, popular hangout spot Swe Bar will play host to the 10 artistes billed to perform at the concert.

In what has been tagged as pre-concert party, the event will hold on Saturday, December 10, 2011 and will be attended by friends, partners and a selected few to ‘party, mingle, and dance exclusively to the songs of the 10 artistes on parade for the December 23rd concert’.

Revered and popular comedian Ali Baba will be the host of the night’s event and will be supported Chioma of Silverbird TV.

As announced earlier, the ten artistes billed to perform at the concert include 2face Idibia, Wizkid, Duncan Mighty, Mo’Cheddah, Obesere, Sir Shina Peters, Femi Kuti, M.I, Psquare, and eLDee.

Justin Bieber Is The Most-Searched Star On The Internet

Justin Bieber is leading the ladies on a new list to find the most-searched celebrities online.

The singer replaces Lady Gaga on Bing.com's most-searched people of 2011 countdown.

Katy Perry comes in second, ahead of Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears and Gaga.

Selena Gomez, Nicki Minaj, Rihanna, Beyonce and country star Taylor Swift also make the top 10.

Sara Gilbert & Singer Linda Perry Spark Romance Rumors

"The Talk" star Sara Gilbert  has sparked rumors of a blossoming new romance with songwriter Linda Perry after the couple was snapped holding hands.

Gilbert was left devastated after splitting from her partner of 10 years, Allison Adler, back in August, but it appears the actress-turned-talk show host has already moved on with former 4 Non Blondes singer Perry - the two were spotted out together in West Hollywood over the weekend, according to TMZ.com.

Gilbert has two children from her previous relationship with Adler - Levi, seven, and Sawyer, four - and songwriter Perry was last linked to TV soap actress Clementine Ford.

Widow of Kurt Cobain Exposed her Breast

After her crazy act in her concert in Brazil, Courtney Love is back “in action” her appearanced when she was attending the premiere of HUGO which held on Monday (21/11) ago. In that event, the widow of Kurt Cobain was performed with her sticking out breasts tip!

As reported by Dailymail, the 47-year-old country singer appeared wearing a red dress with a very low slit chest. It was so low, whether consciously or not, her nipples were poking out.

Even when her pictures was taking by the photographers, Courtney who wore a red costume appeared so confident in front of the camera, as if she doesn’t care that there’s “something wrong” with her at that time. She wore a bright red color combined with her white skin which adds more obvious sight.

This crazy thing is not her first action. Her Concert in Brazil was even crazier with her topless action on stage. At that time, Courtney was wearing a tight T-shirt, she slowly stripping her cloth, until finally she was bare-chested in front of audiences. She was pointing her own breasts in front of the audiences.

Lady Gaga Reveals Her Personal Life Through 100 Thousand Pictures

Terry Richardson and Lady Gaga

 
Do you want to know Lady Gaga’s personal life? Terry Richardson will reveal her other side through his 100 thousand photos.

As reported by The Sun, Richardson has collected Gaga’s pictures since 10 months ago. In the photos Gaga seems enjoy her personal life without her “diva” title.

Some images were taking her wearing casual clothes and without her excited make-up. For example a photo which showing her inside the car. In the black and white picture, she was wearing a black tank top and a sunglasses. In the photo, Gaga also showed off her tattoo.

There are also some intimate photographs when she was at her house. such as her picture when she was taking a bath, holding a bottle of beer. There were pictures of the 25 years old singer in her bed while she ate a plate of spaghetti.

The images are used as a photography book. Richardson has been collecting the pictures since Gaga recorded ‘Born This Way’ album and follow her each tours.

The book is on sale by Hodder & Stoughton. and will be sold for £ 35.

Michael Jackson doctor plans to appeal conviction

Michael Jackson's doctor filed court papers on Friday indicating he plans to appeal his involuntary manslaughter conviction over the singer's death and his four-year jail sentence.

Lawyers for Dr. Conrad Murray filed the papers with Los Angeles Superior Court in a precursor to a formal appeal being lodged with a California Appeals Court.

Murray was convicted last month of involuntary manslaughter, or gross negligence, after admitting he gave the pop star nightly doses of the anesthetic propofol in June 2009 to help him sleep.

Murray was sentenced on Tuesday to four years in jail by an angry Los Angeles judge who called him a "disgrace to the medical profession."

Jackson, 50, died in Los Angeles on June 25, 2009, of an overdose of propofol - which is normally used to sedate patients during surgery - and sedatives. His death came just weeks before a planned series of comeback concerts in London.

Femi Kuti Impregnates Another Dancer

Afrobeat maestro Femi Kuti is sure taking after his father’s footsteps – he’s already worked his way to being crowned king of the musical genre his father founded. And for some time now, he’s thrown caution aside as he adopts the unconventional romance and baby making lifestyle of his late father Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. The junior Kuti, who has confessed being in a string of relationships, is now believed to be expecting his sixth child from his latest lover Antonia.

Sources close to the Kutis say Tonia (as she is fondly called) who is one of Femi’s Positive Force Band dancers, is ‘very heavy’ and will soon put to bed. The ‘couple’ according to tabloid reports have been seen together one too many times at social functions (including Mrs Sonia Ransome-Kuti‘s burial back in April). A source close to the Kuti family says Tonia pays occasional visits to the Kutis’ residence in Akute, Ogun State.

Femi Kuti is currently in court with his ex-wife Funke over their pending divorce.

He told us in October 2010 in an exclusive interview ‘I have girlfriends and they know themselves…I got married once and I knew I was wrong. I don’t believe in marriage‘

An attempt to reach the activist-musician who we hear just rounded up his Europe tour and is back in the country proved abortive; and text messages sent to his sister Yeni kuti were not immediately replied. Our reporter visited the New Afrika Shrine on Thursday November 24, but none of the managers on duty was willing to comment.

The expected sixth child follows the birth of Kuti’s fifth child Tejumoluwa, from another dancer Bose Ajila on Tuesday, March 15, 2011.

The other five Femi Kuti children are Lade, Ayomide, Tunmise and his first son Morinmade fondly called Made.

Darey Art Alade Interview

Dare Art Alade

Considered as the king of R&B in Nigeria, Darey Art Alade has successfully earned the title with his numerous achievements after just three albums in the bag. Darey, in a chat with Factory 78’s Adesope Olajide lets us in on his rise to fame, plans for a U.K album and why he proudly supports Charity events.

How are you doing sir?

I’m good.

We’re very happy to see you at events. You just went to Charity Bowl Bar, Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys. How was that event?
Ah, it was great. Just hanging around, supporting the charity which is really important. You know the charity is all about immunizing children in Africa and in India. And as a Nigerian just doing my PR tour, I thought ‘let me just support this charity because it makes sense’. It sounds genuine. And the event was really interesting; it was fun meeting people, seeing some old faces I haven’t seen in a while, and enjoying the performances from different artists. Big surprises, like Boy George, I have never seen perform live. It was great seeing him perform live. It was interesting.

You’re talking about performances, having your own tour. I was very lucky to be at performances by yourself, at KC’s bar. First of all the performances, how do you think you were received here in London?

It was great. Yeah, Steam Bar, gave a performance, just a few songs. Just trying to get people to see what we’re doing. Obviously they know some of the songs. From ‘Somebody’ to ‘The way you are’ which is the one we’re trying to promote.

I saw your performance, absolutely smashing. It was well-received especially by the ladies. Even though you kept them in mind when you were making that song; ‘Bani ki di’, ‘Style na style’, let’s talk about this album that you’re promoting. But before we get there, I just want us to give a little introduction. Yes, you’ve come from a blood line of greats; your father was a legend in the game, and we still talk about him this day. And you’ve come up in that family, just following your father’s footsteps. Let’s talk about your upbringing and how music kind of became the norm for you.

Probably for me music started from as young as eight, singing here and there, joining a school choir in secondary school at C.M.S Grammar School. I ended up joining the choir; from there I started doing performances outside school. I joined different groups, started singing with different bands. Then I started radio. I did radio for five years. I did some years on T.V at the same, getting a degree in the University at the same time, performing at shows. So there was a lot of music and entertainment going on at a stretch at the time, including school. And then 2004 came, the reality show in South Africa; Project Fame. It was a great launching pad, just to get me in the consciousness of Nigerians and Africans in general. After that, I released my first album in 2006, ‘From Me 2 U’; quite a mix of songs, a mix of genres in the album. But quite a few songs, like two or three songs made it big. That was a good start, it was exciting. It was actually a critical success in the sense of the word because people tore it down, they ripped it apart, and people loved it too. It got people talking, and it was a great beginning. And the second album, ‘Un-DAREY-Tated’ dropped in 2009, and some hits like; ‘Not The Girl’, ‘No Stars’, ‘Carry Dey Go’ with 2Face, ‘Style Na Style’ with 9ice, I did the original with just him and myself, and quite a few other songs. Did ‘More’, ‘let You Know’; so many songs!

So it was even a bigger hit than the first one, we were on the roll. It took another two years to finish the third album which is the double album, ‘Double Dare’, this is all for Naija by the way. And of course, ‘Double Dare’ has great songs like ‘The Way You Are’, ‘Bani ki di’, ‘Style Na Style’ remix with like Jesse Jags and 9ice. I have people like Timaya on the album, Psquare on the album, Mo’Cheddah and Chamillionaire all the way from the U.S. On the success of that, and from all the hype over the years, people have been like ‘you know what? let’s share this music with the rest of the world. Let’s go international’. And we’ve wanted to; we’ve been working underground for this, for the longest time. And it’s about time we start rolling out the plan little by little. Do some PR, Come out here to do a week-long PR campaign, attending events, performing, mixing and mingling, doing press interviews and all that stuff. So now after obviously I’ve dropped an album in Nigeria, I have to do a U.K album, some of the songs in the third album in naija will make it to the UK album. Recording fresh stuff that will work with our oyinbo friends and our western friends just so that they won’t feel left out. We’ve got a mix of African-Euro pop kind of sound.

Sorry to cut you short there. I didn’t want you to leave that Euro pop thing going. Speaking of the different type of sounds you’ve brought into the game this time. The first I saw of it was like a viral video. I just kept on playing it. I was like is this funky house, what exactly was it and how did that come about?

I can’t exactly tell you really what it is. I mean it’s experimental; you just do what you’re feeling. But if you want to dissect it, the lyrics are in Hausa, the beat is like House. So you can call it ‘Housa’. (Laughs). You know it’s fun, it’s high tempo, it’s high energy. The synth is very grimy, you hear that at high volume and all you want to do is dance, you don’t really care what they’re talking about. I think that’s the dissection of that.

You went from ‘The Way You Are’ which is a brilliant video. Everybody has seen it. You’ve been crowned the king of RnB in Nigeria, people appreciate your voice. People are trying to put you with some of the greats we’ve listened to. We appreciate good music in Nigeria. We’ve listened to the Joes, the R. Kelly’s and you’ve had a chance to perform with some of these guys on stage. How does that feel for you?

I remember opening for R. Kelly in Cape Town a few years ago, for the This Day Music Festival. That was fun. Meeting him afterwards, just chatting, and taking pictures and all that stuff. And I was the only person that opened for that stuff and it was lovely. Performing for South African audience that really didn’t know the music, and they were so supportive, and they had a great time. So that was definitely great. There’s been other openings and sharing stages with so many other big names and that really is very humbling and something worth being happy about.

There’s one part I’ve always wanted to talk to you about, and that’s your video making; the video that you guys come up with. I don’t know who you work with, who directs those videos but you have completely taken African music videos to a whole new level.  You’ve been recognized for those videos in the past. You’ve dropped ‘Bani Ki di’ and ‘The Way You Are’. You have to expect big nominations even if you’ve only given it to the fans. People should recognize the hard work you’ve put into it. Tell us more about who people you’ve worked with in those videos, and those beautiful pictures came about.

I don’t know if we’re going to get nominations and all that but we do these things as promotional tools, and really for people to enjoy. When nominations come, it is by the way. It is exciting, don’t get me wrong, it’s not like we don’t feel good about it but the real reason why it’s done is for people to enjoy, and when you do get nominations that mean people are really enjoying it. Making the videos is very interesting, my team at Soul Muzik, and the normal directors that we work with. So ourselves and Mark Hofmeyr, our video director, he’s South African. Sometimes we shoot in South Africa. ‘The Way You Are’ for example was shot in the U.K. I was just trying to look for many exotic places. We’ve shot at home many a time. It’s all about variety at the end of the day so we came out here, we shot the video. The trick to it is really taking our time. And it will take about one, two or three months to just vibe with ideas back and forth. The music is ready, so you keep listening, you keep developing on the idea, you write some scripts down. Do some illustrations, and eventually you pick a date to shoot, and you try to make sure everything is there. And when you’re editing every little aspect is very important, from the costuming to the shots, the quality of the camera, the lights, and the location. It takes a long time. Some people try to do it over night, and you can see from the end result.

When are we going to be expecting a tour by Darey in the U.K?

A tour is in the works, obviously if the album is released, there’s definitely going to be a tour after that. Building up to that, I’m going to be back in a month or so, the carnival is around the corner. We’re going to come back heavy on that one and do some performances. And we’re going to take it to a few other Nigerian clubs. Make some appearances in Calabar, different places. Possible just do Jazz Café one day and invite a lot of people, from there we could try the Indigo, the O2 Arena, and just trying to fill more spaces. For now, we need the fans, we need you guys to join the train, and we need all the support we can get.

Before you go, where can people follow you; Twitter, Facebook?

Check out my website. Brand new tear rubber, you know that kain’ thing. www.darey.com. From there you can link me up on Facebook, Twitter. Everything is there. So just check my website. Videos, everything is on there.