HRS News

Fader TV is currently offering a recent interview with Rick Ross where he discusses some of his “favorite” things, including his sunglasses and tattoos. Check it out.

Rick Ross Interview:

In celebration of the 25th anniversary of Michael Jackson’s Thriller, Legacy Recordings is “airing” Thrillercast.

The groundbreaking podcast event boasts 40 episodes scheduled to run throughout 2008, and features interviews from the likes of hip-hop legend DMC, Akon, Nick Cannon, Chris Brown, will.i.am, Quincy Jones, Imogen Heap, DJ Spooky and many more.

The podcast is available with the series’ teaser “Episode 0″ and promises a new episode more or less each week starting on February 12.

You can get access to the podcast event through the following RSS feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/thrillercast

Or you can just log into Michael Jackson’s official site: http://www.michaeljackson.com/podcast

Mariah Carey recently announced her next album, E=MC², will be released April 15. The set is the follow-up to her 2005 mega-selling The Emancipation Of Mimi.

The latter No. 1 set sold a whopping worldwide 10 million units and generated three Grammy awards, so the pressure is on for the singer’s 11th studio set to perform. It would seem it’s well on its way with the lead single “Touch My Body” and guest producers including Mariah herself as well as Jermaine Dupri, DJ Toomp, Stargate, Will I Am, Bryan Michael Cox, Nate “Danjahandz” Hills and James Poyser.

This 25th anniversary of Michael Jackson's uber legend (the world's biggest-selling album of all time) is a newly expanded deluxe edition featuring contemporary acts such as Fergie, Will.I.Am and Kanye West. 

More February 2008 R&B/Soul releases

Troubled Brit singer Amy Winehouse proved she’s still one of the most dynamic performers we’ve seen as she swept the Grammys last night picking up five trophies including best new artist, best female pop vocal performance for “Rehab” and best pop vocal album for her sophomore set Back to Black.

Winehouse’s closest competitor, Kanye West, picked up four awards including best rap album. Both were up for the best album prize, but were surprised when industry legend Herbie Hancock took the award for his tribute to Joni Mitchell. River: The Joni Letters features artists such as Corinne Bailey Rae and Norah Jones doing covers of Mitchell’s songs.

Also winning a Grammy was Democratic presidential hopeful, Barack Obama, in a contest that offered bragging rights but no delegates, defeated Bill Clinton in the category of Best Spoken Word Album with his audiobook “The Audacity of Hope.”

The highlight of the evening was Winehouse’s performance of her hits “You Know I’m No Good” and “Rehab,” beamed via satellite from the UK where she is actually in rehab.

Kanye while receiving his best album award spoke to his mom’s spirit, saying, “I know you’re really proud of me right now, and I know you wouldn’t want me to stop.” He also performed a song in her memory complete with angels.

Tina Turner will blend her legendary rock vocals with Beyonce’s contemporary pop shrill at the 50th annual Grammy Awards this weekend.

And although Amy Winehouse can’t make it there, other performers scheduled to appear in the flesh are Fergie with John Legend, Rihanna, Alicia Keys, Aretha Franklin and Mary J. Blige.

Presenters will include Akon, Quincy Jones, Prince and Stevie Wonder.

The Grammys can be seen on a Feb. 10 live CBS telecast from Los Angeles’ Staples Center.

Queen of hip-hop soul Mary J. Blige plans to hit the tour circuit with rapper/ex-exec Jay-Z this spring for a double bill almost guaranteed to sell out.

Dubbed the “Heart of the City” the trek begins March 22 in Miami and will visit major cities such as New Orleans, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Boston, Philadelphia and Houston.

Blige will be supporting her current album Growing Pains which features the smash hit “Just Fine.” Jay-Z will also perform fan favorites, including stuff from his latest release American Gangster.

A complete itinerary has yet to be confirmed, however tickets go on sale Feb. 15.

Here is a partial schedule for the “Heart of the City” tour:

March 22: Miami (American Airlines Arena)
March 26: Baltimore (1st Mariner Arena)
March 27: Uniondale, N.Y. (Nassau Coliseum)
March 28: East Rutherford, N.J. (Izod Center)
March 30: Philadelphia (Wachovia Center)
April 2: Toronto (Air Canada Centre)
April 3: Boston (TD Banknorth Garden)
April 5: Greensboro, N.C. (Greensboro Coliseum)
April 6: Washington, D.C. (Verizon Center)
April 16: Los Angeles (Hollywood Bowl)

According to CNN, UGK’s Pimp C died of an accidental overdose of codeine and promethazine. These ingredients are what makes “syrup” immortalized in Houston’s rap culture and are commonly found in cough syrup.

UGK had a 2000 hit single titled, ironically, “Sippin’ On Some Syrup.”

The county coroner’s office ruled Monday the cause of death was due to large amounts of prescription-strength cough syrup combined with a condition C had known as sleep apnea, which causes people to stop breathing for up to 30 seconds at a time as they sleep.

As previously reported, Pimp C, born Chad Butler, was found decomposing in an upscale hotel room bed on December 4.

C joins the ranks of other southern rap artists, such as the legendary DJ Screw, who died from overdosing on codeine-laced cough syrup.

Thanks to the folks at Spike.com for a listing of all ads from yesterday’s historic upset game that saw the Giants spank the Patriots. Among the offerings was a spot that starred Naomi Campbell dancing to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”

Our favorites are Sobe Life Water that shows Campbell and a bunch of funky lizards dancing the “Thriller” dance, Bud Light’s “Light”, and “You Should Play Football,” the story of how Chester Pitts started playing football.
Complete list

Diddy (or Puffy or Sean or whatever his name is now) is on the lookout for African American models for Sean John’s Fashion show next week. If you’re interested check the webisode below for details and then go to the open call. Good luck.

Sean John Fashion show open casting call:
Monday February 4th
1710 Broadway
NY, NY 10019
12-2pm