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Jay Z and Timbaland to testify in court case


Jay Z and Timbaland will testify in their 'Big Pimpin' court case.
The pair sampled a flute line by composer Baligh Hamdi as the hook for their 2000 hit, but the nephew of the composer, Osama Ahmed Fahmy, filed a lawsuit in 2007 insisting he should receive a cut of the profits following the composer's death in 1993.
Timbaland originally believed the song was in the public domain when he sampled the track although later paid $100,000 to EMI when he learned it wasn't, with the label claiming it owned the rights to the tune.
However, Osama later filed his suit in a federal court in California against EMI, Universal Music, Paramount Pictures and MTV over the song's use in films and specials.
And while court documents indicate Baligh's heirs were given a "lump-sum buyout", the defendants also insist Osama "gave up exclusive control of all rights" for the song in the US with a 2002 agreement.
Nevertheless, the composer's nephew claims the agreement does not include the way licensing contracts are administered with respect to moral rights in Egypt, where he is from, and believes the pair did not reveal all of the ways the song, titled 'Khosara Khosara', would be used and modified.
According to The Hollywood Reporter website, the case will begin on October 13.

Rita Ora on A$AP Rocky single diss


Rita Ora "doesn't care" if A$AP Rocky's single 'Better Things' was aimed at her.
The 'Poison' hitmaker had nothing but praise for her former beau - who penned a song about their sex life - saying she "loves what he does" but she thinks the 'Fashion Killa' rapper shouldn't disregard women like he did in the song.
She said: "I love what he does, I like how, you know, he looks dope, whatever. But for me, it's not about me. It's about what people think they can get away with about speaking about women."
The 24-year-old blonde beauty might not have been upset by the explicit lyrics, but she wanted to make it known that it's not "Ok" to talk about women like that.
She told New York's HOT 97FM: "I'm not looking at it like, 'You're upsetting me,' cos I don't actually give a shit. I really don't care what you got to say I got all this going on, like I got stuff going on in my own life. I got my own career to think about."
The 'X Factor' judge also said that her career is the most important thing in her life.
She added: "Like you and me both know I care about my business more than anything. So, I actually don't care, you know what I'm saying? But I think about it, and I'm like, 'I don't want people to think it's OK to speak about women like that.'"

Rita Ora on $SAP Rocky single diss


Rita Ora "doesn't care" if A$AP Rocky's single 'Better Things' was aimed at her.
The 'Poison' hitmaker had nothing but praise for her former beau - who penned a song about their sex life - saying she "loves what he does" but she thinks the 'Fashion Killa' rapper shouldn't disregard women like he did in the song.
She said: "I love what he does, I like how, you know, he looks dope, whatever. But for me, it's not about me. It's about what people think they can get away with about speaking about women."
The 24-year-old blonde beauty might not have been upset by the explicit lyrics, but she wanted to make it known that it's not "Ok" to talk about women like that.
She told New York's HOT 97FM: "I'm not looking at it like, 'You're upsetting me,' cos I don't actually give a shit. I really don't care what you got to say I got all this going on, like I got stuff going on in my own life. I got my own career to think about."
The 'X Factor' judge also said that her career is the most important thing in her life.
She added: "Like you and me both know I care about my business more than anything. So, I actually don't care, you know what I'm saying? But I think about it, and I'm like, 'I don't want people to think it's OK to speak about women like that.'"

Ginuwine develops cartoon series


Ginuwine has created a cartoon series.
The 'So Anxious' hitmaker has revealed he doesn't have a burning desire to make music anymore and is instead a huge fan of animation, leading to him developing his own series called 'Buddies' which he is currently trying to sell to a TV channel.
He exclusively told BANG Showbiz: "Me wanting to do animation, I was inspired by a man on the internet whose name is Jim Mills, so I just wanted to do what he did and once I got the programme I just started creating and everything and he and I collaborated and we did a cartoon called 'Buddies', and we're looking for distribution and some TV."
The 44-year-old singer - who features on Tough Love's new single 'Pony (Jump On It)' which is out now - continued to hint the series is the reason why he hasn't released a new album since his 2011 collection 'Elgin', because it has taken up so much of his time.
He explained: "It's been two years in the making, so I'm looking forward to doing it, it takes a lot of time to do animation, especially when it's only two people doing it; usually people have a team doing their animations, but its only he and I. So, we're still working, hopefully it'll be on TV.
"Right now, I just want to continue to work, and work on animation. I love animation, that's my hobby, so I'm trying to make a cartoon. A lot of things are coming so I'm just going to keep my fingers crossed and hope for the best."

Kurt Cobain LP for November release


Kurt Cobain's "solo album" will be released in November.
The as-yet-untitled album - which acted as the soundtrack for recent biopic 'Montage of Heck' - will be released on November 6, which is the same day as the film's DVD release, according to AwardsLine.
The LP is expected to include several recordings which are also featured in the film, as well as other unheard material which ranges "from thrash to ragtime and everything in between," director Brett Morgen has revealed.
Speaking about the collection previously, Brett said: "Just to be clear, it's not a Nirvana album, it's just Kurt and you're going to hear him do things you never expected to come out of him.
"You really get a sense of how happy he was simply by creating himself. His lyrics are really playful, and, at times, you can feel his smile and warmth coming through."
The DVD release of the film is also expected to include a previously unheard demo from the Nirvana frontman - who tragically died in 1994 - which was not included in the cinema release back in May.

Taylor Swift making ‘notes’ for next album


Taylor Swift is already making "notes" for her next album.
The 25-year-old star only released her fifth studio record '1989' last October but she is already thinking about the next collection and has been jotting down ideas for her sixth LP.
In the audio issue of Vanity Fair magazine's cover story with Taylor, interviewer Josh Duboff explained: "Musically I think she seems, to me, as motivated as ever. She's so regimented and she's very much on this, every two years she puts out an album cycle. When I asked her what she's working on next she sort of said she's already putting notes in her iPhone about the next album. She's stuck to this routine which I think has worked for her."
The news comes just weeks after reports emerged stating the 'Bad Blood' hitmaker is already recording new music with her beau Calvin Harris, with the couple planning on premiering the first of their tracks together at the American Music Awards later this year.
A source revealed: "Taylor and Calvin have been speaking about collaborating since they started dating.
"They've had a couple of sessions jamming in the studio and are working with producer Detail.
"Taylor has already been in LA laying down vocals for one of the tracks which could be premiered at the American Music Awards later this year.
"Musically, Calvin and Taylor are from different worlds - but they are determined to bring their styles together."

Justin Bieber LP due in November?


Justin Bieber will release his new album in November.
The 21-year-old singer hasn't put out a new LP since his 2012 collection 'Believe', but the eagerly-anticipated album is now scheduled to be released on November 13, according to Billboard.
The release date has not yet been confirmed by the star, although he has revealed it will feature his brand new single 'What Do You Mean?' which he has been trailing on social media with the help of celebrity pals including Ed Sheeran and Big Sean, set to be premiered on August 28.
Although Justin has featured on tracks with several other acts in recent years including Jack Ü's 'Where Are Ü Now' and will.i.am's '#thatPOWER', he has largely avoided releasing any solo material aside from his collaboration with Chance the Rapper, 'Confident', last January.
Meanwhile, the 'Boyfriend' hitmaker recently teased he struggled while making the album because he was so desperate to have a "consistent sound".
He said: "I've been working a lot in the studio, just trying to have a consistent sound - a cohesive sound. I get in my head a lot, and I get kind of depressed because I want it to work so badly.
"I want people to love it. I want to inspire people and sometimes I feel like, "Is this good enough? Is this the direction I want to go? I had kind of a rough week last week. I get in my head and I don't want to get out of bed sometimes."

Rita Ora: I’m a supporter of females


Rita Ora insists she is not a traitor to women for collaborating with Chris Brown.
The 'Poison' hitmaker has come under fire for teaming up with the 26-year-old star - who was convicted of assaulting then-girlfriend Rihanna in 2009 - on 'Boy on Me' but insists his background has nothing do with the track as she just wanted to work with someone whose vocals suited the song.
She said on Free Radio: "I've been such a supporter of females for such a long time, you know, look at any of my interviews. I think the song speaks for itself.
"His voice really suited this record and I approached it with that in mind. I really just went into this collaboration with a clear mind of what vocally will sound the best, and what musically works. That, to me, made the most sense."
The 24-year-old star previously spoke out about her reasons for working with the 'Loyal' hitmaker, saying he is "important" to her both "personally and professionally".
She said: "(He's) strong, powerful and someone that is important to me personally and professionally. The discrimination and all what people think? If you have a great song then no one cares."
However, critics of 'Body on Me' have slammed the star on social media and reminded her of the incident in 2009 when Chris attacked Rihanna following a pre-Grammy awards party in Los Angeles.
The singer was sentenced to five years' probation, domestic violence counselling and community service.

Aretha Franklin cancels gig


Aretha Franklin has cancelled a concert in Las Vegas due to exhaustion.
The 73-year-old singer was due to perform at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on Friday (14.08.15), but has pulled out after driving from Detroit to California for three shows.
She said in a statement: "I thank all of my fans, friends and supporters who bought tickets and hope to see you all soon. I extend my sincerest regrets."
Last year, Aretha threatened to sue author David Ritz - who ghostwrote her 1999 autobiography 'From These Roots' - over his unauthorised biography 'Respect'.
She said: ''There's a very trashy, trashy book on the street . . . It's lies, lies, lies and then more lies.
''I'm talking to a criminal attorney. If this isn't defamation, I don't know what would be.''
Aretha is believed to be upset about claims made about her sexual promiscuity on the 1950s gospel circuit, but the author - who narrates the new book through interviews with friends, family and associates - claims the material was cut from her autobiography.
Fellow singer Etta James is quoted as saying: ''I can understand Aretha not wanting to talk about that . . . Who wants to admit that you're praising the Lord at the 8 p.m. service and servicing some drop-dead gorgeous hunk of a singer an hour later? Aretha and I started out before we were teenagers . . . we wanted to experience it all. I wouldn't use the expression sexually active, I'd say sexually overactive.''

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