The Buzz revealed last week that The X Factor’s Sinitta was in talks with Mariah over an April concert to celebrate Barack Obama’s election as US President. Now we’re pleased to report that she’s signed on the dotted line.

“Mariah is confirmed and we’re waiting to hear if Obama himself will be coming for the concert,” Sinitta told us at the Look magazine Fashion Swap party.

And while she’s getting help from pal Simon Cowell, she’s not convinced he’s as focused on the project as she is: “As I’ve never done this sort of thing before, Simon is helping in every way that he can. He is definitely making the most of being single. He’s enjoying it a little too much for my liking!”
Source: The London Paper - MariahConnection
Heroes note: Can you imagine what an amazing moment this could be, President Obama and Mariah...
Posted on January 30

Onstage, L.A. Reid welcomed the crowd before exiting stage right, leaving eyes focused on a large panel screen which began to showcase vibrant visuals—erotic women, dancing silhouettes, and wads of money—as The-Dream’s sophomore tracks boomed from the speakers. Guests were exposed to the sounds of “My Love” featuring Mariah Carey, the drum-heavy “Rockin’ That Sh!$,” the Kanye West-assisted “Walkin’ on the Moon,” and baby-making jams “Put It Down” and “Sweat It Out.”

During a brief intermission, a noticeably slimmer Dream graced the crowd, dressed in a black leather jacket, black fitted cap, and neon yellow, orange, and black Louis Vuitton sneakers. Accompanying him was HOT 97 personality Angie Martinez. In a brief Q&A session with the Latina lady, the celebrated singer revealed he was presently teaming with Mariah Carey for her next album, MC3. “I’m hoping to write every record,” he beamed. The-Dream also shared a rather interesting tidbit: in interviews, he began claiming that Mariah was featured on Love vs. Money even before she heard the record she eventually sang on. “I was at Legacy Studios… There was a writer for Billboard there while I was recording. Next day, she called me and asked me who was going to be on the record. I named a bunch of people and said Mariah was on it… Meanwhile, she never even heard that song.”
Source: Rap-Up
Heroes note: Amusing fact for the ones interested in "love" stories, The-Dream recently divorced from singer Nivea is now "dating" Christina Millian. They were seen at the listening party and at the shooting of the "Rockin' That Shit" video holding hands and flirting on set.  What's funny is Christina Williams is Nick's ex and she snubbed both Mariah and Nick recently at the Sundance Festival.
Posted on January 30

After St Barts, the next stop was Mr and Mrs C's (Mariah and Nick's) home in the Bahamas. But as we were flying, we realised it was too dark to land their jet plane, so we stopped off at Atlantis in Nassau for the night, where we had dinner at Nobo and enjoyed the stunning ocean beach views. 

The next day, we flew to the Bahamas and spent two days relaxing and playing loads of games, before heading to New York. But before we got there, Mrs C declared: “Let's have one last festive moment before we go home, Jazz dahling. Let’s go to Disneyworld!” 

With that, we stopped the jet in Florida and spent the afternoon in Disneyworld. Mr and Mrs C took me on all the scary rides including their favourite: Tower of Terror. 

Then we hopped back on their jet to New York. I was going to celebrate my birthday in the Big Apple on my real birthday, but Estelle would’ve been away on her American tour with John Legend. So Estelle insisted on throwing a pre-birthday dinner party for me at the fabulous Japonais restaurant in Manhattan. 

I assumed it would be a small group of a few of my American and English peeps, but it ended up being a private room bash with 27 people, complete with fabulous cocktails and delicious food. The only thing missing was my ‘London girls.’ 

The UK side was in full force with peeps like Estelle, singer and choreographer Royston and MTV comedian Kojo all in the mix. 

For once, the Americans weren't louder than the Brits. My American peeps included Mr and Mrs C, Mariah’s friend Maryann, her backing singer Michael, and the infamous musical legend that is Trey Lorenz, amongst others. 

We tried to play one of my favourite games – Concentration – but some peeps who shall remain nameless just couldn't get the clapping, clicking and snapping on time, so we just put on silly specs and goofed around. 

Mrs C and Estelle had a nice chat, which was beautiful, and myself and Mr C continued imitating and ridiculing each other’s accents and laughing at how we both 
pronounced the word ‘orange.’ You had to be there! 

Then, Nick and a couple of the other boys snuck in with my birthday cakes – yes, plural – covered in sparklers. I tried to look graceful as I blew out the candles, hoping the many ‘geisha’ cocktails and champagne that Estelle had slipped down my neck weren't going to re-emerge. 

Even though I made a pact with two of my friends that we weren't going to let Estelle drag us to a party after dinner, we were weak. Estelle can be very persuasive! So we popped up the street to the Goldbar where we had a mass toast with lemondrop shots and danced the night away doing crazy moves to old school tunes. 

As I staggered to my bed at 5am I thought many thoughts: I love Estelle; my dress is too short; I'm really getting too old to do this sort of thing. But I love it!
Source: Jasmine for The Voice
Posted on January 26

The early buzz seemed almost absurd -- Mo'Nique, what are you wearing to the Oscars? -- but after all was said and done, director Lee Daniels and the cast of Push: Based on the novel by Sapphire emerged from the 2009 Sundance Film Festival victorious. The harrowing film won both the Audience and Grand Jury awards in the U.S. Dramatic Competition, as well as a Special Jury Prize for Mo'Nique's performance as the unbearably cruel mother to Precious Jones, an obese, illiterate girl struggling to survive growing up in Harlem. "Insanely awesome" is how first-time actress Gabourey Sidibe (Precious) described the culmination to her whirlwind of a festival. "I feel like I live in a bubble. Like this isn't real. Like this is the land of Oz or something."

"Push works on so many different levels," said Sundance director Geoffrey Gilmore after the ceremony, held at Park City's Racquet Club Saturday night. "It has such an emotional power to it, but it's not just some kind of sentimental bath. You don't understand that film until you watch the whole thing. You can't say we've seen this before. You haven't seen this before."

The night truly belonged to Push director Daniels, who experienced a series of grand public breakdowns as his film took award after award. "I'm sorry, I'm b-tchin' out," he apologized backstage, as tears streamed down his face and he struggled to praise his cast (including both Mariah Carey and Lenny Kravitz in dramatically understated roles) between sobs. "There's so much love," he said. "We don't have no money. We got $2 to make some s--- happen. We're doing this story about this fat black girl who doesn't have a voice. They're all in it for the craft." When asked to look at the bigger picture for his film -- which still lacks distribution -- he explained, "I think [this win] means there's hope for people of color. Just because Obama’s president doesn't necessarily mean it's going to translate down to our world of cinema. And I think what it does is reiterate and strengthen this power of, Get yourself a freakin’ video camera. And you go out and tell your truth. That's what I started doing as a kid, and I think inevitably, it led to this. It's just so much hope."
Source: HollywoodInsiderEW - Sundance 2009 Official site(All rights reserved)
Heroes of Mariah "Push" page updated
Posted on January 25

However, to me, Mariah wasn't treated the way she deserves during the Inauguration ceremony, while some artists got a police escort and sat in the VIP section, Mariah needed to make it by herself walking on the streets, waiting in line and turned away by the security along with Jesse Jackson, taking an elbow from someone, to finally enter and join her seats in the yellow section (second section before the Capitol steps), not in the VIP section like Diddy, Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Dustin Hoffman, Oprah and who not (that's probably why we don't have any picture of Mariah at the ceremony).
That's why to me she wasn't treated the way the biggest selling female artist supporting Obama along with her hubby, is supposed to be treated but that's just me.

It seems there was also a lil' incident at the Neighborhood Ball,  Nick has been kinda putted to shame 'cause he had the bad luck to protest too much right before Denzel Washington introduced Mr. and Mrs. Obama.

Talking of the ceremony, for all of you who always try to find if or when Mariah is supposedly lipsynching, I'm gonna tell you something, did you know instruments can lipsynch too? , No?  Shame on you!  For the ones who watched the ceremony, just before Obama took the oath of office, there was a musical composition by cellist Yo-Yo Ma, violinist Izhak Perlman, pianist Gabriella Montero and clarinetist Anthony McGill  BUT it was an audio tape, recorded days earlier....
Source: compilation of infos found on the net
Posted on January 24

Hi Omar,
The short answer is yes. If "My Love" tops the Hot 100, it would count as Carey's 19th No. 1, placing her just one chart-topper away from tying the Beatles' all-time record.

Now, for the longer explanation: Overall, Billboard treats any multi-artist title as an entry for each performer. So, songs billed as by 'The-Dream featuring Mariah Carey,' 'Brad Paisley Duet with Keith Urban' and 'Jason Mraz & Colbie Caillat,' etc., appear in each artists' respective chart histories.

Being a lead artist does have its advantages when we compile our year-end charts. In the case of The-Dream and Carey, where one artist is the lead and another is featured, the Billboard charts department employs a system of weighting that grants a higher share of a title's chart points to a song's lead artist. Thus if, for example, the only Hot 100 chart title of 2009 by both The-Dream and Carey were "My Love," The-Dream would rank higher than Carey on our year-end top artists tally, since he is the lead act. This weighting system comes into play especially in R&B/hip-hop formats, where titles regularly show featured artist billings..

And, note that the charts team does not decide a title's billing - we assign listings based on what shows on a physical or digital product, or consult record label contacts, as necessary. 
Source: Gary Trust, Billboard's pop/adult chart manager
Posted on January 23

Down To Earth from WALL-E - Peter Gabriel and Thomas Newman 
Jai Ho from Slumdog Millionaire - AR Rahman and Gulzar 
O Saya from Slumdog Millionaire - AR Rahman and Maya Arulpragasam 
Posted on January 22

About the girls:
Jacque Pyles, Monica Parales and Mandy Rain aka School Gyrls are mentored by Nick Cannon.  They met Mariah back in October at Mariah and Nick's house in California.  You can eventually watch their performances and filming a video directed by Nick on their MySpace page.  And voilà!!!! 
And here's the untagged pic, click on it to enlarge.

Posted on January 21

"Do you do bar mitzvahs?" I asked. He laughed. "Why not? It's good money!"

Mariah meantime was glowing (but not pregnant) and very happy with her performance of "Hero." "Was it ok?" she asked me when we ran into each other. Her next question was maybe more relevant. "Is Randy here?" She asked of pal Randy Jackson, our mutual friend.

Alas he wasn't. Jackson was busy on "American Idol," the ratings king, listening to "Gong Show" types. Something tells me he would have been happier here.

Hanging Out At The All-Star Obama Party
Source: FOXNews (All rights reserved) (extract)
Posted on January 21

E! News has learned the R&B diva is lending her pipes to promote the new album from Reuben Cannon, aka the younger brother of Mr. Mariah, Nick Cannon.

“Reuben and Mariah are doing a duet together for Reuben's first album,” an industry source tells us. “They are meeting at the end of the month with Mariah's record label, Universal Music Group, to seal the deal, and Reuben is thrilled.”

Reuben Cannon was recently signed with Lavert Entertainment and is halfway through recording his album, slated for release later this year.

There was no comment on the collaboration from the Carey and Cannon camps, but a Reuben rep wasn't beyond teasing, saying, "Reuben Cannon is working on some really amazing things right now."
Source: E!Online
Posted on January 21

Christina (who dated Nick from 2002 to 2005) was at a T-Mobile party hanging out with some friends when Nick and Mariah started walking toward her. As she saw them approaching, the singer turned her back and totally snubbed her ex-boyfriend, and when Nick spoke to her, Christina "acted as if she didn't even hear him." Our source added, "You could tell Mariah was in a very awkward position."
Posted on January 21

This is only one the ten balls Obama is supposed to attend, but he is only one of the big stars of the evening. Before any performances get started, Nick Cannon is the DJ. Who knew the same guy in Drumline and now married to Mariah Carey would spin some vinyl for an evening?

Nick isn't your regular DJ that just sits there and makes sure there is no downtime between songs. He did a good job of getting the crowd going -- even if he did have to resort to some cheesy tactics (This one showed up a few times: holler if the ladies party harder...harder if the fellas party harder). Mariah Carey is here too and Nick has done his husbandly duty of playing several of her songs. 

Nick Cannon and Mariah Carey are pretty obviously crazy about each other. It was pretty obvious when Mariah was singing her song "Hero" (which she dedicated to "our new president") that Nick is head over heels. He couldn't stop beaming and he almost caused himself whiplash since his head couldn't stop turning from looking at her on stage to looking at her on the big screen. The real proof came a little while after Mariah finished her set and came up to the DJ booth to sit next to Nick. She too had that same glow every time she looked at him, which was pretty much all the time.
Source: SF Gate
Posted on January 21

Roy Edroso (village blog) 9:21 a.m.
Thinking that if you're heading to the Mall for Obama, get off the Metro. You'll be there all day. Just start walking. :) mariah carey & nick canon just walked to the front. The Mall near the 4th Street exit is now closed. It's been filled to capacity.

Leah Carliner (Washington Post), 9: 36 a.m.
(1rst and E Street NW) -- Getting to the Event
Singer Mariah Carey is wading in the middle of a large crowd at 1st and E Street NW and she can't move. People are snapping photos.

Deborah McDermott (Seacoast)10:30 a.m. 
Late-comers passing in front of me include Caroline Kennedy and Oprah Winfrey. Someone has seen Mariah Carey. David Gregory of "Meet the Press" is mugging it up with friends. Then I get a poke in the rib. "Look who's standing just over there?" It's The Boss himself, Bruce Springsteen, collar up, shades on. Annie Liebowitz is just over there, cameras slung around her neck. This is very cool. 

Renee Lee (Times blog), 11 a.m.:
We’re standing about 75-90 feet from the swearing-in spot. “There’s no seat for us; we’re jall standing.”
We’ve seen all kinds of famous people so far: Mariah Carey, Evander Holyfield, Ashley Judd, (gospel singer) Yolanda Adams, M.C. Hammer.

David Crabtree (wal blog), 11:26 a.m:
Millions waiting in joyful anticipation on a day that is so very cold. Hundreds of thousands came to the Mall last night and never left. How they survived the wind chill of 9 degrees is beyond my comprehension.
Oh yes, we've seen a few notables. We ran right into Mariah Carey and Arnold, the governor of California – not together, of course.
Posted on January 20

Asked how he feels when people say cruel things about his wife, Nick replied: "My heart goes out to my wife every time she has to hear something like that. I don't care about nothing, I'm just silly. I make fun of me all the time, I'm like, 'Call me Mr. Carey, who cares?' "

Nick added he feels "blessed" to be with Mariah.

He told US TV show 'Extra': "I'm blessed to have a partner that's truly one of those people that affect the world."

Mariah was equally as gushing about her husband, revealing the secret to the couple's happy relationship is that they are not afraid to tell each other exactly how they feel.

She said: "The secret to me is realising when you meet the right person and being brave enough to dive in and say this is the right person for me. We have fun like nobody's business."
Source: Bangshowbiz (All rights reserved)
Posted on January 20

"I'm the Sundance Kid!" laughed Cannon, who was spotted all over town during the weekend with wife Mariah Carey. "But yes, this is quite different. It's so amazing, because past years have been nothing but a party. My mentality was different; we ain't gonna go into [what was going on], but you know how Sundance can be." 

This year, Cannon has welcomed his recording-legend wife to the annual snow-soaked paradise — and Sundance has done the same. Her inner-city drama, "Push," has garnered some of the fest's best reviews, while Cannon's blood-soaked thriller, "The Killing Room," has kept pace with its own positive buzz. 

"To be able to share this with your wife — she has a film up here, and I have a film — you couldn't imagine or even hope for something this great," Cannon marveled. 

As the power couple's loyal fans know, they capped off their wild weekend by heading to Washington, D.C. to perform at Barack Obama's inaugural celebrations. But even before they caught their plane, Cannon was flying high over Carey's "Push" performance. 

"Aw man, that movie is incredible. My wife did an amazing job," he said of the flick, in which Carey plays a decidedly un-glammed, non-"Glitter"-y social worker. "And I just feel so good for her, because it's one of those things where somebody has been so great in another field, has accomplished so much in the music industry, people are reluctant to accept them in another industry. And she's just blazing it. She's just as impactful in this as she is in anything." 

Cannon insisted Carey's performance was so impactful that it even beat his own presentation as a distraught, teary-eyed homeless man in "Killing Room." 

"She blew me out the water," he conceded. "All day! 

"That's the thing: When you see 'Push,' not only do you forget that's Mariah Carey, you might not even recognize it's Mariah Carey," he insisted. "It's one of those performances. She don't talk the same, she don't look the same — she just went in and did her thing." 

When asked if Carey would be similarly diplomatic and choose his role over hers, Cannon said no way. "Well ... she sees my film tonight. So, we'll be debating that on our way to the inauguration," he said hours before the "Killing" premiere. "But this is so not her type of flick. She doesn't like horror films and blood and all that stuff. ... There's gonna be a lot of closing of the eyes in this one. But she's a true movie buff, so she'll appreciate it." 

And as these two movie buffs have been making the rounds together as the King and Queen of Sundance 2009, one question keeps coming up: "People always say, 'Are you gonna work together?' " he said. "I don't know. It would have to be something fun, like a cameo. I don't know if we would literally do a [whole film] together, but we both love comedy. So you might see us as characters somewhere and go, 'Was that? Nah.' Or something like that." 

Sure, Nick Cannon's 2009 Sundance experience has been decidedly different than it has been over the last two years. But Nick and Mariah's love for a good party was well documented in their single days, and married life doesn't have to change that — although it sometimes makes for an earlier end to the evening. 

"We've been hitting a few big events. I had a party last night — I was DJing over at Harry O's, that's the spot out here," Cannon explained. "We've been doing our thing, but then heading to the crib early, waking up and working. 
Source: MTV
Posted on January 19

Even though Lyon and Port are all still lovey-dovey on their MTV show we hear things in their, like, real life are already rocky.

We're told Miss Whitney was specifically invited by numerous sponsors to attend the festival but declined at the last minute knowing that Lyon would be there with his "Tamarama" band. But that didn't seem to bother the gorgeous Australian musician who seemed perfectly content hanging with his best friend's girlfriend, "Guess" supermodel Jessica Hart.

The pair was getting plenty of attention at the numerous parties and were given the VIP treatment at Village at the Yard, but their "star" status was put into place on Friday night when they were booted from their booth at the Rock Star Lounge. Lyon, Hart and their posse were forced to MOVE by security to make way for none other than Mariah Carey and hubby Nick Cannon.

Speaking of which, Carey put those pregnancy rumors to rest by literally throwing down the red wine until the early hours, probably in celebration of the rave reviews she earned for her Sundance film "Push" which premiered that evening. Mariah's impressive performance certainly made us wonder whether it was the same person who attempted acting in "Glitter" all those years ago, and even though Carey is known for her divaesque attitude she can actually be seen totally stripped back and (seriously) makeup free in this dramatic flick.
Source: FOXNews (All rights reserved)
Posted on January 19

AFTER our regular snowy Christmas in Aspen, we flew out to St Marten and from there took a boat – in the dead of the night – to the celeb-filled island of St Barts. The ocean was so choppy and with our boat bouncing erratically across the water, our initial jokes about our ocean rollercoaster soon came to a halt. 

MC's (Mariah Carey’s) brother Shawn gallantly tried to comfort me with a reassuring arm around my shoulder, but it didn’t work. Neither did MC’s hubby Nick’s regular cackles of “only 25 minutes to go!” 

Once our feet finally touched the shore and our stomachs were steady again, we were driven to our stunning hilltop villa overlooking the infamous Nikki Beach where MC was making a quick appearance the following night at an exclusive New Year’s Eve party. 

St Barts is full to bursting with superstars every New Year’s Eve. The recent New Year’s Eve was no exception with stars like Eddie Murphy, Beyoncé, Jay Z, L.A Reid, Daniel Craig and many more visiting the island.

We made our way to the Nikki Beach dinner and party and we began with a fivecourse dinner, which included sushi, crayfish, beef and plenty of bubbly to wash it down. 

At 11pm, MC stepped onto the ocean front stage in a silver dress and a pair of vertiginous heels, and began a show of 12 songs that included many of her hits. She had the crowd – which included Beyonce, L.A. Reid and his wife Erica – screaming, singing and going nuts. 

Feeling silly, I pretended to be one of MC’s many loyal fans and screamed out, ‘We love you’ at the top of my lungs! Imagine how surprised I was when MC – despite having her back towards me –recognised my voice and said back for all to hear: “And I love you too Jasmine Dotiwala.” Hee hee 

– shame! 

Straight after her last song, MC counted us down to midnight, with the help of Nick. As the clock struck 12, fireworks went off in front of the beach all around our ocean view.  We all stood and enjoyed the excitement and it was wonderful – though I prayed that the Nikki Beach DJ would leave the decks so that the incessant Euro-dance music would stop. The Lord heard my prayer and at 1am, Timbaland stepped up and really represented with a two-hour set that had us all sweating and excited! 

It was amazing to see MC and Beyoncé take their shoes off and dance, so I joined them and we all stood on the infamous Nikki Beach huge white cushions whilst throwing some shapes. 

Most of the time, the two newly wed couples (MC and Nick, Jay and B) were holding hands or sitting in each others’ laps, and at one point, I even spotted Jay Z discreetly and playfully smacking his wife’s world famous derriere whilst dancing. Cute! 

When Timbaland dropped loads of Biggie tunes, the place was on fire with Jay Z leading our section’s dances and jamming. 

But when Tim dropped LL Cool Js Headsprung, the section went quiet and Jay Z sat down quick! 

Tim performed all his hits and then he played us lots of his new stuff – which nobody knew. Just as we were looking at him like, ‘hey, it’s New Year not your private listening session’, he dropped a classic Jay Z medley spanning from 1995 to present day, which made the club bounce on its beach front stilts! 

We left the party on a high at 3am and back at our mountain-view villa, we jumped into the cold pool to cool us down. (Well, MC’s manager Jim did!) Then, we staggered off to our individual rooms and packed our cases for our next flight to Mr and Mrs C's home in the Bahamas. What a way to bring iin 2009! 
Source: Jasmine for The Voice
Posted on January 19

"We go to the premiere tonight," he said Saturday afternoon of his buzzed-about thriller, "The Killing Room," which hits Sundance just a day after Cannon and wife Mariah Carey attended the premiere of her own well-received drama, "Push."

"And then straight from the premiere, we fly to D.C.," Cannon went on. "I'm co-hosting and DJing the Neighborhood Ball — Mariah is performing. I'm also hosting and DJing a bunch of other stuff and events. I'm ready to be a part of history." 

Cannon's support of Barack Obama dates farther back than those of many stars who'll be seen floating in the president-elect's orbit when he's sworn in on Tuesday. And as excited as he is to play king and queen of Hollywood with his new wife, he insisted that the next few days will be the culmination of years of hope and hard work. 

"I always tell people, 'I've been down since 2004!' Ever since that great speech at the Democratic Convention," he laughed. "And this entire time, this entire campaign, I've been doing surrogate work. I've traveled everywhere from Ohio to the Carolinas to Texas, just getting out there and rooting for him. It's amazing to see it all come to fruition. 

"It's a beautiful thing," he said of the new president, adding that Mariah feels the same way. "It's a time where there's a breakthrough in society — and I'm just happy to be alive." 

A recent Los Angeles Times article postulated that unlike Bill Clinton, Obama is often associated with celebrities not because he hopes their "glow" will rub off on him, but the other way around — it's a point Cannon fully agrees with. 

"It's true. That man is incredible," insisted Cannon, who has met Obama personally. "I'm always saying he's the same man in a room of four as he in a room of 400,000. He's so passionate, he's so giving of himself, and he's the same way, whether he's delivering a speech or talking to you one-on-one. He's an incredible dude." 

Although we've all been raised to believe that being a politician means presenting different faces to different people, Cannon said that what we see of Obama is the real deal. "I've spent time with him. He's one of those people who walk in and make the room warmer," he grinned. "We've got a president who gives us [a friendly handshake]; it wasn't like a [stiff] handshake. He's like, 'Yo, what's up man, you good?' and I'm like, 'This is the leader of the free world here.' " 

And since he's so tight with the new president, who's taking a short break from making major appointments, Cannon said that now might be a good time to volunteer himself for a minor position. 

"I'm trying to become the official White House DJ," he laughed. Then looking straight at the camera, he addressed the president-elect directly: "I know what you like, Barack. I've rocked with you. I've DJed before, so I'm trying to get that role. We just need to get in there and set it all off." 
Source: MTV
Posted on January 18

Everyone loves a superlative - the best, the brightest - and CBS News 48 Hours correspondent Troy Roberts reports pop star Mariah Carey collects one in particular like jewelry: the most. 

She's spent the most time atop the Billboard charts - more time at No. 1 than the Beatles. 

And she's had the most No. 1 songs of any solo artist - more than Elvis, whose record she beat last August when "Touch My Body" became her 18th No. 1 hit. 

"It's so surreal," Carey says. "I'm grateful to even ... for someone to say my name in the same sentence as Elvis. I mean, come on!"

For her newest album, Carey looks to the successes of her past. It's a collection of her favorite ballads. 

"They're songs that I think are nostalgic for a lot of people, and for me as well," she said. "So I think that at this point in time, especially with the success that I had last year ... just to release the sort of retrospective of those songs, I think it's a good time." 

Roberts met with Carey at Camp Mariah, a camp for underprivileged children run by New York City's Fresh Air Fund. Mariah's long been one of its big supporters. 

"I didn't come from money at all. And I did, at one point, go to a publicly-funded camp," she said. 

She was born in 1970 and raised on New York's Long Island, the youngest child of an Afro-Venezuelan father and a mother of Irish descent who soon divorced. 

"My mother was definitely the first person who inspired me. She was an opera singer. She still sings," Carey said. 

"When did she realize you had special talent?" Roberts asked. 

"Well, my mother tells a story," Carey replied. "She said that she was doing 'Rigoletto,' and she kept rehearsing one part over and over and over. And then, she messed up. And I said, 'No, it goes like this,' and sang it to her." 

Carey says that was when her mother decided, "'OK, she definitely has a special ear. And let me encourage this.'"

There was never any doubt, Carey says, that she wanted to be a singer. 

"I started writing songs when I was 13," she told Roberts. "And I was already doing demos when I was in high school." 

After finishing school, Mariah moved to New York City, where she waited tables and sang backup for pop singer Brenda K Starr. One night Starr took Mariah to a party, attended by Columbia Records executive Tommy Mattola. 

"Tommy asked her who I was. And she said, 'This is my friend, Mariah. You know, she's a teenager. She writes her own songs,'" said Carey. 
Starr handed Mottola Carey's demo tape. 

"And then he tracked me down over that weekend, and basically offered me a deal." 

Her first album sold more than 9 million copies and earned Carey two Grammys. Her first five singles rose to No. 1, something no other artist has ever achieved.

She was 20 years old. 

"I wasn't prepared at all," Carey admitted. "I just wanted to hear my song on the radio. To me, when I heard my song on the radio for the first time, that was success. That was huge." 

It wasn't just the hits, but the quality of Mariah's voice that made her a phenomenon, with a five-octave range, and the ability to sing in the "whistle register," the highest range of the human voice. 

High, too, the critics carped, was the sugar content of her music. 

How did she deal with that kind of criticism? 

"Music has always been escapism for me," Carey said. "So I think writing inspirational songs is something I need to do. And something that I feel other people need to hear." 

As her stardom grew, her professional relationship with Tommy Mottola - 20 years her senior - became romantic, and they wed in 1993. But the marriage was a stormy one and ended a few years later. 

"Did the end of your marriage change you creatively?" Roberts asked. 

"Yes, it definitely changed me creatively, because it allowed me to come out of my shell, and to do what I really wanted to do," she replied. 

Mariah embraced Hip Hop, and a more provocative image. But by the end of the decade, her album sales were sagging. She left Columbia Records, only to be dropped by her next label. The struggle took a toll. 

"I had no moments of peace," said Carey. "And it was all at the same time as this huge, you know, disaster, with a movie and a soundtrack that I put so much hope into." 

The movie was 2001's "Glitter," Carey's first big leap into acting. It was an embarrassing failure at the box office, and came on the heels of a widely publicized hospital stay. 

She was driven to physical, emotional exhaustion, despite a circle of people that were supposed to protect her. 

"The funny thing is, sometimes the more people that are around, the less you actually are protected," she said.

"If I were to have just gone downhill because of that, just continued a roll downhill, I never would've gotten back up, and I think it's my faith in God that has always gotten me through the darkest times of my life. And music is part of that," Carey added. 

She got back up in a big way. Mariah signed with a new label and in 2005 released "The Emancipation of Mimi." It became the year's best-selling album. 

Fast-forward to April of last year. Carey's surprise marriage to actor-comedian Nick Cannon, 10 years her junior, was tabloid heaven. They'd dated for just two months. 

Did her reputation as a diva frighten Cannon? 

"You know what? What is the definition of a diva? Because I hear 'a diva is a good thing, a diva's a bad thing,'" Cannon said. "So it's like, 'If you want to think Mariah is a diva, and she bathes in Evian,' or all of that stuff, let 'em think that." 

"Where do I see you ten years, 20 years from now?" Roberts asked Carey. 

"Hopefully at a good, fun party," she laughed. 

... such as a party like Tuesday night's Neighborhood Ball for the Obama Inauguration, where Carey will perform her hit song "Hero." 

"For me to be able to say, 'I'm going to be a part of the moment' ... It's like I still can't believe it," Carey says. "Just even a little, teensy part, by singing this song - which I think is appropriate for him. 

"Because it's about not losing hope ... and I think that's the message people, especially young people, have gotten from just being able to see Barack Obama be elected president."
A big thanks to Moony
Text: CBS (All rights reserved)
Posted on January 18

Mariah Carey has been in the media spotlight for a long time. She will handle the pressure of performing at the Inauguration ball with ease. It will be fascinating to watch the range of emotions on her face as she performs for our new president and becomes part of this historic inauguration.
Source: AC (All rights reserved) (extract)
Posted on January 17

After party at The House Of Hype

Click to enlarge
Source: CU
Posted on January 17

Also, I'll reply to all your e-mails this evening, today, I'm gonna enjoy some rainy weather 
Posted on January 17

Before she left, her entourage let would-be photographers know what to expect, which was essentially: "If you cross this line, you know what's going to happen. I'm going to push you." 
Click here to watch the video
Source: KSL
Posted on January 17

Access caught up with Carey at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, but soon she’ll be headed to Washington, D.C., to perform “Hero” at the Neighborhood Inaugural Ball after Obama is sworn in on Tuesday.

“It’s fitting for him,” she said of “Hero,” a song she also famously performed in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks. “It’s appropriate.”

Carey added that she’s “nervous” about her performance, but “glad” to be of mixed race — like Obama — and to be an American.
Source: MSNBC (All rights reserved)
Posted on January 16

Also on the couple’s agenda? Working together! But not on a musical collaboration. So what gives?
 

“It’ll be something more out of fun than serious,” Cannon said. “We’re going to do some comedy stuff together. You’ll see us this year doing some really funny stuff.”

Cannon is not only deejaying tonight’s House of Hype party for Carey’s new movie, Push, but he also has his own flick at Sundance to promote, the indie psycho-thriller The Killing Room.

He plays a young homeless guy opposite Chloë Sevigny and Timothy Hutton. “It was my first real chance to be a serious method actor,” Cannon said. “I lost like 20 pounds for the role. I didn’t eat. I slept outside. I didn’t comb my hair for a month. I went into seclusion.”

(He’s not expecting his wife to dig Killing too much because “she likes fun, lighthearted comedies.”)

And after the film festival, it’s off to Washington, D.C., for the Inaugural and some big dreams. Cannon laughed, “I want to be the official White House deejay.”
Source: E! Online (All rights reserved)
Posted on January 16

A while ago, I posted scans of producers talking about the new Mariah tracks, but no one never believe my crap site , maybe coming from another source people will believe it.  I couldn't check if this is accurate as it's not updated on Power 106 (yet)

"The-Dream just dropped his new single "My Love," which features Mariah Carey, but that's not all the two have been up to lately.
The-Dream stopped by L.A.'s Power 106 with Big Boy In The Morning, and talked about his new album and the fact that he hadn't gone to sleep yet because he was up all night with Mariah working on new material for her.
According to The-Dream, Mariah is already working on a new album and he's been producing some hot new tracks for her.
As you may already know, The-Dream is responsible for producing Mariah's huge hit "Touch My Body" off her current album E=MC²."
Source: DivaReport
Posted on January 15

Mariah Carey discusses the writing process of ballads and her love for romantic songs. Also, the joys of inspiring people through her music.  This episode includes clips of “Visions of Love,” “Dreamlover,” and “Hero,” plus her exclusive comments about what these songs mean to her
Download: Part1 - Part2 - Part3 - Part4
If you can't access the downloads, try again and again...
Source: LegacyRecordings - spidey - murat
Posted on January 15

Please pardon my wavering history here, because this was a little bit before my time, but who did Tommy replace? 
- Tommy took over under Walter [Yetnikoff], for Al Teller. Walter was the head of the world. Tommy was the head of U.S.

And this is right at the moment when CBS becomes Sony?
- Yes, that precipitated the changes. Columbia went from part of a company like CBS to a very important part of Sony. They wanted a content company to be able to be part of their portfolio. I’m sure having something to do with the whole Beta and VHS [format war] in the late 1970s fiasco that they got caught up in, which is why I’m sure they bought Columbia Pictures thereafter. But they also were very engaged in music. It was wonderful to see [then-Sony President] Mr. [Norio] Ohga watching videos, listening to music, dealing with it. Tommy built a great team. 

So, Walter was the head of Sony?
- Yes, and Tommy was U.S. and Bob Summer was the head of international at that time.

And Tommy hired you to do what?
- Be the president of Columbia, U.S.

This is around?
- This is ‘89. I went in April of 1989. I was supposed to go a year earlier, but decided to stay at Arista because I wasn’t sure how the Sony situation was going to shake out.

What did that look like? I mean, strategically, what were the biggest challenges and what did you have to do? 
- The foundation of, to me anyway, of Columbia, obviously was Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Barbara Streisand, Neil Diamond and Tony Bennett. But, we were nowhere in the alternative music area. On my first trip to the West Coast for Columbia, in May of ’89, I heard two bands and we signed them both. And we broke both those bands - Alice In Chains and Toad The Wet Sprocket - and that was a really important thing for us to do. I brought in Steve Tip, he was maybe the most important marketing and promotion executive at Warner for alternative music. We built street teams. Obviously, Tommy had signed Mariah Carey and that was a wonderful way to kick off the new Columbia, and we worked very closely on it, from a creative standpoint, from a marketing standpoint and, really, it was an incredible run.

You were there when that first record came out, "Vision of Love"?
- I was the head of the company and "Vision of Love" was my pick. Not too many people wanted that song, but that was the one that I knew was the pick because it was an R&B record, and it was only her—she was the only one that could have written and sung that song. Of all the great songs on that album, this is the one that I felt would define her most, and it went on to be one of the songs of the year. Number 1 R&B record, number 1 pop record. It set up an incredible string of number 1’s for her.

What do you think of Mariah’s career trajectory at this point?
- Well I’m thrilled that she had a comeback from the unpleasantries of a few years ago, with the movie ["Glitter"] and everything. It just shows her resilience and it shows she stays in touch, she stays current, she knows what she’s doing. 

Click here to read the entire interview
Source: Billboard (All rights reserved) (extract)
Posted on January 14

Inspired by love and the richness it brings to one's life, Luscious Pink Deluxe Edition is the ultimate in sensuality and luxury and the purest essence of the original Mariah Carey's Luscious Pink fragrance.
Click here to order it
Source: Elizabeth Arden
Posted on January 13

Musical performers scheduled for the Neighborhood Inaugural Ball include:

Beyonce
Mary J. Blige
Mariah Carey
Faith Hill
AY-Z
Alicia Keys
Shakira
Stevie Wonder
Nick Cannon will DJ the event
Additional performers will be announced as they are confirmed

We are honored and excited to have such top level talent performing and producing these events. Working with ABC and Disney, we are bringing these exciting performances into the homes of millions of Americans to make this the most open and accessible inauguration celebration ever.
Source: Presidential Inaugural Commitee (All rights reserved) (extract)
Posted on January 13

President-elect Barack Obama will host the first-ever Neighborhood Inaugural Ball. 

The event will be held on inauguration night at the Washington Convention Center. The live event, which will include the President and first lady's first dance of the night, will air live on ABC on Jan. 20 at 8 pm. 
Sources: Washingtonian
Posted on January13

ESSENCE.COM: The blogosphere has been abuzz recently about your exit from Island Def jam Records as president of urban music. Why did you leave the label?
Jermaine Dupri: It was a situation where it felt very stagnant to me. As a person who is used to putting out new records and continuing to do that, it just wasn't turning over as being that place to me where I should stick to it and see if it was going to turn around.

ESSENCE.COM: What would you say was your biggest problem with the label?
Dupri: It wasn't giving me the open door that I thought it was going to. It wasn't aggressive enough and it was a big letdown for me. I thought I was going to a place that understood the times we were in as a music business and how aggressive we needed to be with putting out new projects and records. This is the reason I'm speaking out; not because I'm bitter, but because I owe it to my fans that see me every day on the Internet. I wanted to let them know because they've left a lot of comments on my YouTube saying, "JD, you talk about everything else; why aren't you talking about this [label] situation?"

ESSENCE.COM: Was it an amicable parting?
Dupri: I haven't spoken to L.A. [Reid] in three months. I don't know if it's amicable [considering] that they claim they put me out. I feel like it's not amicable. Don't lie, be real about the situation. It goes back to their having the attitude of let's try and do something that's going to hurt this person, because if it hurts us we have nowhere to go after this, but he does and has at least another 20 more years in this business. Again, if L.A. [Reid] gets fired, there will be at least another ten people who will also get fired and we'll never see them again. Def Jam is like one big clique.

ESSENCE.COM: Although it's been three months since you've spoken to L.A. Reid, would you be open to reconciliation? 
Dupri: I don't know. I saw a side of him that I had never seen before and that to me was a jealous side. I don't know if I should be around people who are jealous of me. Mariah Carey sold more records in that entire Def Jam building and all of that was through my singles; so I'm looking like the golden boy. I only started thinking about it after I left.

ESSENCE.COM: Gossipmongers speculate that your departure was inevitable after Janet Jackson left because you left Virgin Urban Music after Janet left to go to Def Jam. Did Janet's departure from Island influence your decision in any way?
Dupri: No, not really. For a while I had to figure out the bad part about Janet's departure. She was on Island Def Jam and no one ever heard me speak on the situation. Here I'm still working in the building with the people that aren't treating my girlfriend right, but I never let my business and her business get mixed up. She might have been upset about me still being around, but it was never a situation where I was like, "This is bad; I have to move because of this." Janet was handled through L.A. He chased her because he wanted to get her on the label so bad, and when things didn't go right he had a scapegoat for her whole album [not doing well]—me. But what people don't know is that Janet's whole album was designed and made by him. He picked every song. I produced two songs on the entire album. I had a better track record with her at Virgin.
Click here for the full interview, very interesting....
Source:HipHopDX - Essence (All rights reserved)
Posted on January 13

The next morning I met MC's family and we headed to Aspen, where we arrived to be greeted by a lovely dinner. As we held hands and prayed for our festive blessings, I should’ve prayed for luggage, coz mine didn't arrive until the following day!

Next, after doing our Christmas shopping in quaint yet horrifically expensive Aspen town, we arranged a men vs women snowman building competition, with both teams trash-talking each other and making ‘secret SAS snow plans’! 

Later, we had our traditional two-horse sleigh ride through the snowy packed mountains, where MC and hubby Nick (who from hence forth are to be referred to as 'Mr and Mrs C’) are still so loved up only months after being married. Their clothes compliment each others’ most days and they hold hands whenever they're together. Mr C clearly adores her and I've never seen her looking so at peace and smiling so much. I'm not surprised though. Nick really is a very entertaining, multi-faceted guy who always makes us laugh in fun moments, as well as engaging us in deep and educational debates. They really are a match made in heaven. 

We had fun trying to out-sing each other with Christmas songs where Mr C brought a whole new flavour to the game this year by remixing many of the songs into dancehall beats, complete with DJ-style "rewind selector and come back again" chants. It was hilarious! 

On Christmas Eve, we wrapped our gifts whilst sat by the fire and Mr C’s brother Shawn was heckling all sorts of things that were, shall we say, not exactly in the name of Jesus! Ironically, we later headed to church for midnight mass, which was led by Nick’s best friend, ‘Minister’ Kase. He did a fine job of reminding us that God has his own plan for us all. He was the flyest sneakerwearing pastor I have ever witnessed! 

Christmas day began with me wanting to kill someone who was banging on all our doors yelling "ho ho ho" early in the morning. When I emerged to see who was 
causing the commotion, there was Nick dressed as Santa, complete with beard and boots! 

We all had breakfast then pulled our cards out of our personalised stockings and began opening presents. I must have been on Santa’s good list, as I got great gifts including a Gucci top, O Neal purple ski goggles, an ipod Nano and diamond earrings. But my best gift was a beautiful photo album of Mr and Mrs C's wedding, with stunning photos of the day and a personalised message that I will treasure forever! 

After opening gifts, we jumped into our bikinis and splashed into the outdoor hot tub. Mrs C and a couple of the fam rolled in the snow, but Mr C and I were ok in the sanctuary of the boiling water! 

That night, we wore red to our traditional Christmas dinner where this year we had ‘fried’ turkey. Apparently, it’s a San Diego thing (where Mr C is from). It tasted just as good as roast turkey and only took 45 minutes to cook! 

The next few days for me were full of relaxation – and yoga. At one point whilst, going into my sixth sun salutation on my yoga mat, I felt so content and at peace. 
Working out whilst hearing Mrs C cooking her annual clam linguine just yards away in the kitchen, and hearing laughter and conversation bubbling away was a great moment. 

On December 29, we got up bright and early and took the private jet to St Martin en route by boat to St Barts for the second part of our magical annual adventure. As we touched down at Princess Juliana International I thought: how appropriate! 

Part two next week! 
Source: Jasmine for The Voice
Posted on January 12

Who's right there every time you cry
Gonna sleep and wake up on your side
Endless love I'll always provide
They hatin' on us and U shouldn't know why
But who's be lovin' you lately
Who's willing to go half on a baby
Who who who's trying to flag our ship
They just tryna get the love U give

But baby
Tell me what they know about my love
My love

Ooooooooooooooooooohhhhhh

They don't understand why I'll never leave U
Explain my love? I don't need to
Got everybody way up in our business
'Cos leavin' eachother stay on their wish list
I see them reachin' everytime U call me baby
They on my back like a shirt get off me baby
They don't love me let them wonder why
Here to stay and they goin' bye bye
Who's the one callin' U baby
Who's in love with your ass like crazy
Who who who's tryna flag our ship
They just tryna get the love u give baby

Tell me what they know about my love
They know about my love
My love

No, no, no, they don't know
No, no, they don't know

My love is your love
There is nothin' in this world that they can do to make me give U up
Oh baby you'll always be my girl
So let them do watever, say watever
'Cos I ain't givin up

Tell me what they know about my love
My love

Posted on January 9

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a source close to the situation confirmed to AllHipHop.com that Dupri has in fact been terminated effective immediately.

The Island Records Urban Division was created within the Island Def Jam Music Group a short time prior to Dupri’s hiring in February 2007. In the position, he oversaw the label’s entire urban music operations, reporting directly to label Chairman Antonio “L.A.” Reid and Steve Bartells, President of Island Music and COO of the Island Def Jam Music Group.

Having enjoyed tremendous success with Island Records songbird Mariah Carey on The Emancipation of Mimi, Dupri’s duties also included providing production for the Music Group’s entire roster.
Posted on January 8

The eagerly anticipated film, based on the best-selling book of the same name, boasts an all-star cast including Mo'Nique, Paula Patton, Lenny Kravitz, Mariah Carey, Kimberly Russell, and Sherri Shepherd of 'The View.'

Newcomer Gabourey Sidibe (seen below, with Mo'Nique and Rodney Bear Jackson) is playing the starring role.
For 'Push,' the super-sized comedienne Mo'Nique will be seen as she has never been seen before.

The former star of 'The Parkers' plays an abusive, pig-feet and collard greens eating, lazy, nappy-headed, pot smoking, brush throwing, welfare queen who is the epitome of poor parenting and dastardly deeds; a sad and shameless stereotype in living color.

"Working again with Mo'Nique was like going home," Daniels told BlackVoices.com today. "We're family." In 'Shadowboxer,' the comedienne portrayed a narcotics abusing medical professional.

Though she already has garnered a strong buzz, 'Push' actually tells the story of a confused, overweight African-American girl named Clareece Precious Jones.

Verbally and sexually abused by her family, her troubles lead to problems in school. Precious, as she is known, has no friends, no money, two kids (from her father), and she's illiterate. After being accepted into an alternative school where a teacher (played by Patton) helps her find an alternative path in her life. Along her journey, she comes across a concerned social worker (played by Carey) and a nurse (played by Kravitz) who shows her much kindness.

"Ever since I read the book, I saw Push as a movie," Daniels explained. "And finally after Sapphire saw my film, 'Shadowboxer,' she granted me the rights." 

According to industry insiders who've seen the 100-minute-plus film, Mo'Nique tackles the role of Mary Jones with much fervor. In a recent 'Essence' magazine interview, she revealed how her very own molestation to the role inspired her performance. "My brother was a monster to me," she said, "When Lee [Daniels] would say 'Action,' I became my brother."

Patton, who's making a name for herself as one of Black Hollywood's rising stars, talked candidly and in-depth about her role during a recent interview.

"I play the schoolteacher, Ms. Rain. The story revolves around a young girl that grew up in Harlem that has faced unimaginable abuse and she is severely overweight and has a second child coming on the way; and the world has forgotten her. She's been left behind. Somehow she got through the eighth grade and still doesn't know how to read. She's befriended by this schoolteacher and together we forge a friendship."

"I push her to keep her will to live and tell her that she can be the best that she can be, and she can do more than anyone thought she can do," she continued. "Although she can't read right now, she can go to college. She then pushes me because at one point I was in a sad case with my family because I'm a lesbian and my mom has rejected me. The love that I get from her is replacing that from my mother. It's a really beautiful friendship." 

'Push', which is set to make its world premiere at "The 2009 Sundance Film Festival," which takes place in Park City, Utah from Jan.15 through - Jan. 25.

"It's been exciting and challenging and I can't wait to get to Sundance for the world to see all of my hard work," Daniels concluded.

Source: Blackvoices (All rights reserved)
Posted on January 7

Outstanding Female Artist
- Alicia Keys (J Records)
- Beyonce (MusicWorld/Columbia Records)
- Jennifer Hudson (Arista)
- Mariah Carey (Island Def Jam)
- Rihanna (Island Def Jam)
Source: NAACP - Hollyscoop
Posted on January 7

Can't we be happy Mariah takes time to promote "Hero" and "The Ballads", what did you expected, a multi million dollars video with special effects?  Yeah, for "Hero", right... maybe some of you wanted Superman or King Kong in the video, a close source told me they were not available 

Oh, by the way, The Ballads is released in the US on January 20, hum.... wait, isn't there something happening in Washington on January 20, maybe a hero will come along.....
Posted on January 6

In conjunction with the release of the album, Sony BMG Music Entertainment and the New Straits Times is organising The Ballads contest. 

The grand prize winner will stand a chance to win the Ipod and a copy of The Ballads. 

There are also 10 consolation prizes to be given away.

All you need to do is answer the following question and complete the slogan in not more than 15 words.

Only original contest forms will be accepted.

Winners will be notified by post. Judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entertained.
- Question: Name five songs in the album The Ballads by Mariah Carey
- Complete this sentence in 15 words or less: The Ballads is Mariah Carey’s best album yet because 

Send your entries with Name, Address and Contact Number to: 
Sony Music Entertainment 
(M) Sdn Bhd, 
Suite 11.2 & 11.3, Level 11, 
Menara Great Eastern, 
303 Jalan Ampang, 
50450 Kuala Lumpur.
Closing date: Jan 31 
Source: The New Straits Time
Posted on January 5

The Ballads will be released in the U.S. on January 20th and is currently available for pre-order at Amazon.com. 
Click on the pic to watch it

Source: MariahCarey.com
Posted on January 5

One spy says Carey's three or four songs at the Nikki Beach Club set Saif back about $1 million. Moammar's second son is used to writing big checks. Having criticized his father's regime in 2006, he has been involved in Libya's compensation of victims of past acts of terrorism. 

Carey's rep said she didn't know whether Khadafy paid Carey. But the "Glitter" star who gave bigtime to charity this Christmas, seemed to be having fun with hubby Nick Cannon.  Continuing to contradict pregnancy rumors, Carey wore a tight dress that didn't give a hint of a bulge. She also downed one glass after another of Champagne, having gobbled a dozen raw oysters - a prenatal no-no - a few days earlier.

After counting down the seconds to midnight, Carey turned over the mike to Timbaland, who did some impromptu rapping with party guest Jay-Z, there with the lovely Beyoncé.

"I've never seen Jay and Beyoncé having such a good time," says a spy. "They were hugging and waving their arms. It was out of control." (Beyoncé, too, was drinking Champagne, tummy-watchers.) 
Source: New York Daily News (All rights reserved)
Posted on January 4