HRS News

Hip-hop pioneer Grandmaster Melle Mel is planning to hit the mats as a professional wrestler. The old-school legend has been bulking up in training for almost a year, according to AOL. Mel, who brought us classics like “The Message” and “White Lines (Don’t Do It),” also just dropped his first solo album aptly titled Muscles. The lead single and music video is “M3 – The New Message.”  Download at iTunes
—————————————–
On the heels of rumors that he’s dating Whitney Houston, Ray J will be seen in all his naked glory in the sex tape that has kept the Internet buzzing for over a year. Porn empire Vivid Entertainment paid $1 million to acquire rights to the  “explicit” video tape featuring Ray J and ex-boo Kim Kardashian. The movie should be hitting a slimy x-rated video shelf in your neighborhood real soon.
—————————————–
Beyonce has paired up with popular Mexican singer Alejandro Fernandez for a duet in Spanish. The hot-blooded “Amor Gitano” is a flamenco-pop track scheduled to debut February 12 on the premier episode of Telemundo’s “El Zorro” novella. The track will also appear on the both artists’ coming solo projects. El Zorro airs Monday – Friday at 9:00pm.
—————————————–
All bets are on Mary J. Blige to clean up at this weekend’s Grammy Awards. Leading the pack with 8 noms, Blige is being toted as the one to watch. The Grammys, which will also feature a reunion of The Police (!), will air live on Sunday, February 11, 2007. Check local listing for times and don’t miss it.

Grammy-winning John Legend has just announced dates for his North American concert tour. Kicking off April in Irvine, CA, the trek will see Legend perform material from his current smash Once Again and supported by fellow-triple-Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae.

Both Legend and Rae will perform at the Grammys scheduled to air Sunday, February 11, 2007

John Legend/Corinne Bailey Rae Itinerary

04/03/07 Irvine, CA Bren Events Center
04/04/07 San Diego, CA Bayside Amphitheatre
04/06/07 Los Angeles, CA Gibson Amphitheatre
04/07/07 Berkeley, CA Greek Theater-U.C./Berkeley
04/10/07 Denver, CO Wells Fargo Theatre
04/12/07 Minneapolis, MN Orpheum Theater
04/13/07 Chicago, IL Chicago Theatre
04/14/07 Detroit, MI Fox Theater
04/16/07 Akron, OH Akron Civic Auditorium
04/17/07 Toronto, ONT. Hummingbird Centre for Performing Arts
04/19/07 Boston, MA Orpheum Theatre
04/20/07 Sayreville, NJ Starland Ballroom
04/22/07 Newark, NJ New Jersey Performing Arts Center
04/23/07 New York, NY Theater At Madison Square Garden
04/25/07 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun
04/26/07 Upper Darby, PA Tower Theater
04/28/07 Columbia, MD Merriweather Post Pavilion
04/29/07 Norfolk, VA Chrysler Hall
05/01/07 Orlando, FL Hard Rock Live
05/02/07 Hollywood, FL Seminole Hard Rock Casino
05/04/07 Atlanta, GA Chastain Park Amphitheater
05/05/07 New Orleans, LA New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival
(Corinne Bailey Rae not on Jazz Fest bill)

Soul veteran Al Green is readying his next album with producer Questlove. The Roots drummer says he inadvertently promised to work with Green and according to Billboard, the yet-to-be-titled set might sound like classic Al Green.

“If it were up to me and it was absolutely totalitarianism, I would live all my derivative fantasies out on this record,” he told Billboard. “It would be 1974 all over again, sonically. I think they’re still getting used to that.”

The Philly musician/producer alluded to bringing on younger artists for the project ala Santana.

“If you’re going to compete with T.I., Chamillionaire and Jay-Z, then by all means, let’s try and reach the kids of today,” he continued. “But if you put the dart in your hand and you’re not going to hit a bullseye, you’re better off just doing what you know best.”

Green’s album is expected to drop in September on Blue Note.