Usher is plotting global domination on his next studio album. The R&B star told Billboard that for the follow-up to this year's Here I Stand, he has his eye on the rest of the world. Usher said he is "all about adapting new musical styles in creating a unique blend between what I know works here in America and what I know will be appreciated worldwide. I may go to France and do some work. I may go to London... Japan. There's tons of artists I want to work with abroad. I can't give you specific (names) but I am interested in working with artists who are out of the range I'm accustomed to. I want to try new things."
Usher is about to head out on his female-friendly One Night Stand tour, of which he warned any male concertgoers, "I cannot prohibit them from buying tickets and being part of it... However, I do want them to know this show is catered specifically to women."
The American Music Awards have added Coldplay and Leona Lewis to the list of performers for the show, Billboard reports. Kanye West, The Jonas Brothers, Alicia Keys, Rihanna, Ne-Yo, New Kids On The Block, the Pussycat Dolls, Taylor Swift, P!nk, The Fray and Annie Lennox were already announced as performers for the AMAs, set to air on ABC on November 23.
Lily Allen will return on February 10, 2009 with It's Not Me, It's You, the follow-up to her breakthrough debut album Alright, Still. Allen co-wrote and co-produced the record with Greg Kurstin and she says, "We decided to try and make bigger sounding, more ethereal songs, real songs. I wanted to work with one person from start to finish to make it one body of work. I wanted it to feel like it had some sort of integrity. I think I've grown up a bit as a person and I hope it reflects that."
Allen is expected to tour the U.S. in support of the record next spring.
Billy Corgan has posted another lengthy missive online about the Smashing Pumpkins' 20th anniversary fall tour. Corgan wrote on his blog, "I've noticed in the run-up to the tour a few indications that seem to think that we are sentimental in announcing our 20th anniversary extravaganza. When you see the total set list... I don't think terms like 'hearkening back' or 'sentimental' will be the words that will come to mind. This tour is a celebration of where we are, not where we've been. We are HERE! (With a big smile and a foot in your back) Enjoy it if you will, we realize its not for everybody."
As for ex-members James Iha and D'Arcy, Corgan wrote that the band "absolutely, without reservation, honor"
the pair but "I can now say definitively that they aren't ever coming back. Period. There is no maybe. If the door was once open to at least have the conversation and consider the possibility, it is now closed. For good. We have moved on. We love them, and we wish them well. The Smashing Pumpkins are now whoever is standing on that stage, on any given day, with a willingness to play those songs."
In other Pumpkins news, the band played Neil Young's Bridge School Benefit concert over the weekend. While the set list mostly consisted of new material and covers, crooner Josh Groban surprisingly joined the band to take lead vocals on the hit "Disarm."
Miley Cyrus' new album, Breakout, will be re-issued as a "platinum edition"
CD/DVD set on November 18. Billboard reports that the album will include two new songs: "Hovering"
and "Someday,"
and the bonus DVD will combine live performances, music videos and interviews.
It's still good to be the King. Elvis Presley is still the wealthiest dead celebrity in America. Presley's estate brought in $52 million over the past year. The King has been #1 on the Forbes list ever year since its inception seven years ago, except 2006 when Kurt Cobain surpassed him due to the Nirvana With The Lights Out box set. John Lennon was ranked #7 and Marvin Gaye at #13.
Soul Asylum is offering a free download of the new song "Let's All Kill Each Other"
online for free up until Election Day next week. Frontman Dave Pirner says of the track, "Over the last couple years of playing live, I've taken to introducing"
"Black Gold"
& "Lately"
as "commentaries on the Bush Sr. & Jr. eras, respectively, as Parts 1 & 2 of a trilogy that I hoped I would never have to finish. This is Part 3."
