Happy New Year!

This card says it all, Music2Nite wishes you all the best for 2010, lots of happiness, and amazing new adventures!

May the New Year bring lots of amazing music, and starting from next year Music2Nite will once again be posting on a regular basis!

I have a great New Year’s resolution for all of you, next year put yourselves on a peadastool, know that all you have to do is go after what you want and not give up. Most of all, don’t forget to appreciate what you have. That’s what I’ll be going for!

Happy New Year, thank you for following Music2Nite!

Ciara Gets $2,000,000 For Kazakhstan Gig!

 
First Rihanna is offered a hefty sum to perform in Abu Dhabi, now it’s Ciara’s turn to cash in on the New Year’s. She’s allegedly going to perform in Kazakhstan at the same venue Whitney Houston performed in July 2008.

Ciara has been performing in Africa and will head over to Moscow after her Kazakhstan gig.

Ciara is currently nominated for a Grammy Award under the Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals category, for her hit “Love Sex Magic” with Justin Timberlake.

Lady Gaga and Susan Boyle Collaboration?

Lady Gaga is one of Susan Boyle’s biggest fans! She is Gaga’s “woman of the year” and eyes a possible collaboration with her.

"I love Susan Boyle. She is my woman of the year. She has achieved more in this year than most artists will in a lifetime. This time last year nobody even knew who she was and now she is knocking the world's most established artists off the album and singles charts."

"Our styles are different. I don't know if we could work together, but never say never. It would be great to work with somebody of that talent."

Apparently, 50 Cent also showed interest in collaborating with the X Factor’s superstar.

I can’t even imagine what that would sound like, but count on Lady Gaga to think out of the box for any of her projects.

Unreleased Alicia Keys Track – Heaven’s Door

 
The Japan released version of “The Element of Freedom” includes a bonus track titled “Heaven’s Door”, and it just leaked on the internet.

It’s a slow, and soft jam, maybe something we could need more of. There are so many upbeat tunes these days, it’s nice to hear something chill like “Heaven’s Door”.

Listen to Heaven’s Door

Also be sure to check out Giant Magazine’s next issue, it features Alicia Keys on the cover, an interview, and amazing pictures!

Watch a video with Smokey D. Fontaine and Alicia Keys on behalf of Giant Magazine here.

New Beyonce Music – Black Culture + Waiting

There have been rumours that Beyonce is set to already release a new album next year. Two unknown tracks have leaked and may be included on the untitled album or just may have been left out of “I Am… Sasha Fierce”.

The first song “Black Culture” includes background music from Michael Jackson’s “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough”.

The second song “Waiting” was produced by the production team Stargate.

Listen to “Black Culture”

Listen to “Waiting”

What do you think of both tracks?

In other Beyonce news, our fierce lady is has been nominated for 10 Grammy Awards, including record of the year for "Halo," album of the year for "I Am ... Sasha Fierce" and song of the year for "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)." Beyonce is set to perform at the Grammy Awards.

Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance Remixes

On December 8th, Lady Gaga took the stage at the VEVO Launch Event in NYC! Check out her performance of "Speechless" below!

Official Tracklisting:
Bad Romance (Chew Fu H1N1 Fix)
Bad Romance (Kaskade Remix)
Bad Romance (Bimbo Jones Radio Remix)
Bad Romance (Skrillex Remix)

In other Lady Gaga news, According to NewYearsEve.com, her upcoming Thursday, December 31 show at the Fontainebleau has sold over $1,000,000 in ticket sales! Currently, there are only a few $25,000 tables left and some general admission seats which cost $425. Lady Gaga is said to be the hottest ticket in town for New Year’s Eve!

Usher – NBA All Star Promo

 
Usher is set to make a comeback in 2010 with his upcoming album Raymond v Raymond. “Papers” will be the lead single and “More” featured on the 2010 NBA All Star Game promo Video might also be part of the album.

Raymond v Raymond, Usher’s sixth album, will be released during Spring 2010. The All Star Game will take place on February 14th in Dallas, Texas.

What do you say do you want “More”?

Madonna Working on Next Album

 
Madonna has teamed up with David Guetta and Brendan O’Brien to work on her twelfth studio album.

David Guetta is responsible for a few hits this year, the Black Eyed Peas latest album “The E.N.D”, “When Love Takes” Over with Kelly Rowland, and “Sexy Bitch” featuring Akon. Brendan O’Brien has worked with Bruce Springsteen and Pearl Jam.

The album which will most likely be released early next year will include Rock, Rap, and Dance tunes. Hopefully, there won’t be too much dance music, it just doesn’t really do it for me. Madonna’s best work in my opinion isn’t that genre of music.

Let’s see what she comes up with this time, in any case it’s going to sell!

Michael Jackson – This Is It Video

Spike Lee has directed the video for Michael Jackson’s last song “This Is It”. It shows a timeline of Michael Jackson growing up in Gary, Indiana and growing up to the superstar he became. The video is extremely moving and touching.

The “This Is It” DVD will be released on January 26th.

Michael Jackson - This Is It - Directed by Spike Lee from 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks on Vimeo.

Brittany Murphy’s Music

Brittany Murphy was not only a talented actress, but she also impressed many of us with her music.

It is said that unreleased songs from the movie “Beauty” will be released:

"Obviously this isn't a Michael Jackson thing, but people are definitely interested in Brittany and her story," a music executive informed E! Online's Marc Malkin.

A few years ago Brittany topped the Billboard Hot Dance Club Airplays chart with "Faster Kill Pussycat", her duet song with DJ Paul Oakenfeld. She also scored music for animated movie “Happy Feet”, covered “Somebody to Love”, and “Boogie Wonderland” from Earth, Wind & Fire.

The untimely and unfortunate passing of Brittany Murphy is still unknown. What is known is how much the public loved and appreciated her.

Jay-Z remakes “Forever Young”

 
Jay-Z and his protege Mr. Hudson collaborated on his latest single “Forever Young” from “The Blueprint 3”. The song comes originally from popular 80s band Alphaville. Mr. Hudson’s voice does come in very close to the original band’s lead singer.

There’s a lot more coming from Jay-Z right on time for New Year’s eve. “On to the Next One” feat. Swizz Beatz is set to be released as his new single at NBC’s “New Year’s Eve with Carson Daly”. The video will also first be shown there. Jay-Z is set to perform with Rihanna on Carson Daly.

On other Jay-Z news, he is reportedly going to take his wife’s name. He will soon be called Shawn Knowles-Carter.

“They want to keep Knowles because Beyonce’s parents didn’t have any sons and they’re keen to keep the name going strong, especially if they don’t produce any children themselves,” a source said.

I must say that’s a very classy move from Jay-Z!

Mary J. Blige is Stronger With Each Tear

Soul and R&B superstar Mary J. Blige just released her new album “Stronger With Each Tear” and is set to bump Alicia Keys to the third spot of Billboard’s top charts. As amazing as Mary J. is, she also will most likely not beat Susan Boyle’s “I Dreamed A Dream”.

Her new album might not reach to number one on its first week, but Mary J. Blige is already thinking of another album. In the near future she will work on a jazz album, because she says she wants to do a more classic genre.

She also insists on collaborating with Anita Baker on her next album. "I haven't had a chance to collaborate with Anita Baker yet. So when I do my jazz album, Anita, I'm coming for you," Mary explained. "I have no idea when I'm going to do the jazz album, but it can't be long. It won't be long."

“Stronger With Each Tear” dropped in the U.S on December 21st and includes duet songs with Drake, T.I., and Trey Songz.

Alicia Keys – Element of Freedom Tour

 
Alicia Keys just came in short second to Susan Boyle on Billboard’s Top 200 charts last Wednesday with “The Element of Freedom”. It’s incredible but true! Well second place is also an amazing accomplishment. According to Sony Music, after releasing the album on December 15th, 417,000 copies were sold.

Alicia Keys will also go on a tour starting in Montreal on February 28th. Here’s the current tour schedule, more dates for her European tour will be added later on.

Feb. 28 - Montreal, Quebec Bell Centre
March 1 - Kanata, Ontario Scotiabank Place
March 3 - Rosemont, IL Allstate Arena
March 5 - Detroit, MI, Fox Theater
March 6 - Detroit, MI, Fox Theater
March 8 - London, Ontario John Labatt Centre
March 10 - Toronto, Ontario Air Canada Centre
March 11 - Quebec City, Quebec Colisee Pepsi
March 13 - Mashantucket, CT Foxwoods Casino
March 17 - New York, NY Madison Square Garden
March 19 - Newark, NJ Prudential Center
March 20 - Atlantic City, NJ  Mark Estes Arena
March 22 - Boston, MA  Agganis Arena
March 24 - Baltimore, MD  1st Mariner Arena
March 25 - Washington, DC  Verizon Center
March 27 - Miami, FL   American Airlines Arena
March 28 - Tampa, FL  St Pete Times Forum
March 30 - Atlanta, GA  Phillips Arena
April 2 - Grand Prairie, TX  Nokia Theater
April 3 - Houston, TX  Toyota Center
April 6 - Los Angeles, CA   Staples Center
April 7 - San Jose, CA  HP Pavilion
April 9 - Las Vegas, NV  Mandalay Bay

May 4 – Marseille, France Le Dome
May 31 – Paris, France Bercy
June 4 - Lyon, France Halle Tony Garnier

Hopefully, more dates for Canada will be added. Vancouver would be a great place for Alicia to take her tour to.

Buy tickets here on Ticketmaster.

Merry Christmas!

On behalf of Music2Nite, I would like to wish you a Merry Christmas! Due to my recent move to Vancouver, I haven't been able to blog much, but you can expect lots of updates in 2010!

Have a warm, safe, and beautiful Christmas!

May you all have what you wish for!

Sophie

Music2Nite

The Art of Prince - this Friday!

This Friday, the San Francisco Art Exchange will display Anthony Malzone's art of Prince. To get on the list, either call 800.344.9633 or send an email to info@sfae.com and you will be put on the guest list.

The exhibition will start at 5p.m. and will end a 8p.m. During this time Prince music will be spinned by Dave Paul and Jeff Harris.

So far all prints are being sold at $1,000 limited to 100 and members of Prince's website will have a 15% discount. Members of Lotusflow3r.com should have received their coupon code through e-mail by now.

Check out the entire collection here.

In other Prince news, the 2010 Grammy nominations have been announced and our funky man is on the list!

Prince is nominated for a 2010 Grammy in the category of Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance for the song "Dreamer" from his album LotusFlow3r.

The other nominees are:

Beyond Here Lies Nothin'
Bob Dylan
Track from: Together Through Life
[Columbia]

Change In The Weather
John Fogerty
Track from: The Blue Ridge Rangers Rides Again
[Verve Forecast]

Working On A Dream
Bruce Springsteen
Track from: Working On A Dream
[Columbia]

Fork In The Road
Neil Young
Track from: Fork In The Road
[Reprise]

The 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards will be held on "GRAMMY Sunday," Jan. 31, 2010, at Staples Center in Los Angeles and once again will be broadcast live in high definition TV and 5.1 surround sound on CBS from 8–11:30 p.m. (ET/PT).

Watch Prince perform Dreamer here! It's fabulous, here's to keeping our fingers crossed for Prince!