Music News
Music News
Plan B is reportedly working on a comeback album.
The 'Stay Too Long' hitmaker - whose real name is Ben Drew - disappeared from the spotlight in 2012, after the release of 'Ill Manors' and his film of the same name, but is seemingly set to make a much-anticipated return.
A source told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "Ben became a dad and took his time to get back in the studio. The album sounds soulful with no rapping at the moment."
The news comes as a surprise because after becoming a dad, Ben was in limbo about his career and even considered giving it all up for his daughter.
The 32-year-old star previously said: "I'm completely in love with her, she's the most important thing in my life. More important than music or film or anything.
"It makes the next album very difficult because I know how long I'm going to have to be away from her in order to make the next album successful and that scares me a bit.
"So I'm at a crossroads in terms of what I want to talk about and whether or not I even want that in my life anymore."
Plan B's third album is expected to be released in 2016.
Plan B ‘is working on comeback album’
Plan B is reportedly working on a comeback album.
The 'Stay Too Long' hitmaker - whose real name is Ben Drew - disappeared from the spotlight in 2012, after the release of 'Ill Manors' and his film of the same name, but is seemingly set to make a much-anticipated return.
A source told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "Ben became a dad and took his time to get back in the studio. The album sounds soulful with no rapping at the moment."
The news comes as a surprise because after becoming a dad, Ben was in limbo about his career and even considered giving it all up for his daughter.
The 32-year-old star previously said: "I'm completely in love with her, she's the most important thing in my life. More important than music or film or anything.
"It makes the next album very difficult because I know how long I'm going to have to be away from her in order to make the next album successful and that scares me a bit.
"So I'm at a crossroads in terms of what I want to talk about and whether or not I even want that in my life anymore."
Plan B's third album is expected to be released in 2016.
Music News
Tori Kelly wants to duet with Justin Timberlake.
The American songstress - who's already collaborated with Ed Sheeran on her track 'I Was Made for Loving You' - is keen to work with the former N' Sync star as she's been a fan of his since she was a little girl.
She said: "It would be cool to do a song with Justin Timberlake, I've been a fan of his since I was 6 years old."
And the blonde beauty - who will perform on Sunday (25.10.15) at the MTV European Music Awards in Milan, Italy - also aired her interest in writing songs with James Bay after she recently met the singer, who she's a "massive fan" of.
She told Digital Spy: "I just recently got to meet James Bay, who I'm a massive fan of. It would be cool to write with him."
Meanwhile, Tori recently revealed how much she enjoyed working with Ed Sheeran, saying he's a laid-back character in both a personal and professional context.
She shared: "He's so laid back in the studio and super chill. He's just like that as a person too."
Tori Kelly wants to work with Justin Timberlake
Tori Kelly wants to duet with Justin Timberlake.
The American songstress - who's already collaborated with Ed Sheeran on her track 'I Was Made for Loving You' - is keen to work with the former N' Sync star as she's been a fan of his since she was a little girl.
She said: "It would be cool to do a song with Justin Timberlake, I've been a fan of his since I was 6 years old."
And the blonde beauty - who will perform on Sunday (25.10.15) at the MTV European Music Awards in Milan, Italy - also aired her interest in writing songs with James Bay after she recently met the singer, who she's a "massive fan" of.
She told Digital Spy: "I just recently got to meet James Bay, who I'm a massive fan of. It would be cool to write with him."
Meanwhile, Tori recently revealed how much she enjoyed working with Ed Sheeran, saying he's a laid-back character in both a personal and professional context.
She shared: "He's so laid back in the studio and super chill. He's just like that as a person too."
Music News
Rod Stewart feels he's "running out of time".
The 'Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?' hitmaker has still got a long list of song ideas and isn't quite ready to hang up the songwriting pen and paper just yet.
He said: "I realised I've had quite a wonderful life and there was a lot to write about. As you grow older, you become aware that you're running out of time. That makes you look back at the past and that's what I've brought out in some songs.
"I feel as if it's a gift to still be making records and to have them sell rather well. I like to think I'm making pretty current music."
And the 70-year-old singer - who has sold over 100 million records worldwide since his first single in the 1960s - admits his songwriting process is incredibly "freeform".
He shared: "With me, writing songs is very freeform. You never know how they are going to come about."
Referring to the high note at the beginning of one of his new track's 'Please', he added to The Sun newspaper: "Some note that, innit? It came about as a pure accident. I hit that note and everyone around me said, 'Let's base the whole song around that note.'
"I'm still not quite comfortable with it because it's a cross between a falsetto and a full voice, so I have to keep practising."
Rod Stewart ‘running out of time’
Rod Stewart feels he's "running out of time".
The 'Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?' hitmaker has still got a long list of song ideas and isn't quite ready to hang up the songwriting pen and paper just yet.
He said: "I realised I've had quite a wonderful life and there was a lot to write about. As you grow older, you become aware that you're running out of time. That makes you look back at the past and that's what I've brought out in some songs.
"I feel as if it's a gift to still be making records and to have them sell rather well. I like to think I'm making pretty current music."
And the 70-year-old singer - who has sold over 100 million records worldwide since his first single in the 1960s - admits his songwriting process is incredibly "freeform".
He shared: "With me, writing songs is very freeform. You never know how they are going to come about."
Referring to the high note at the beginning of one of his new track's 'Please', he added to The Sun newspaper: "Some note that, innit? It came about as a pure accident. I hit that note and everyone around me said, 'Let's base the whole song around that note.'
"I'm still not quite comfortable with it because it's a cross between a falsetto and a full voice, so I have to keep practising."
Music News
Oliver Heldens doesn't feel "pressure" to make another hit single.
The 20-year-old electronic music producer's collaboration with Becky Hill, 'Gecko (Overdrive)' debuted at Number 1 on the UK singles chart and was one of the hits of summer 2014 but Oliver has insisted he's not worried about recreating it's success.
He exclusively told BANG Showbiz: "Of course Gecko was really big in the UK but I don't really feel the pressure to make new big radio records or to make new big records at all. I'm always making new music and it's going really well."
Oliver also spoke about his upcoming collaboration with legendary DJ, Tiesto, 'Wombass', and confessed he can't wait for it's official release next month.
He explained: "Two years ago actually, Tiesto and I met up and were talking about a collaboration and then I think over a year later I sent him a new project I was working on and he really liked it and since then we've been working on it and it's finally finished and it's going to be released next month and the track works very well in both of our sets and I'm very excited for the release of it."
The DJ is currently on the UK leg of his 'Heldeep' tour and is set to play at We Are WHSE at Great Suffolk Street, London tomorrow (24.10.15) but he's admitted it's tough to stay healthy when you're constantly on the move.
He added: "It's hard sometimes but I don't drink a lot of alcohol. I rarely drink alcohol and I try to eat healthily but it's hard because food at the airport is s**t."
We Are WHSE presents Heldeep with Oliver Heldens, Becky Hill and Danny Howard this Saturday October 24. For tickets or more information visit www.wearewhse.co.uk/events/heldeep
Oliver Heldens not worried about making hits
Oliver Heldens doesn't feel "pressure" to make another hit single.
The 20-year-old electronic music producer's collaboration with Becky Hill, 'Gecko (Overdrive)' debuted at Number 1 on the UK singles chart and was one of the hits of summer 2014 but Oliver has insisted he's not worried about recreating it's success.
He exclusively told BANG Showbiz: "Of course Gecko was really big in the UK but I don't really feel the pressure to make new big radio records or to make new big records at all. I'm always making new music and it's going really well."
Oliver also spoke about his upcoming collaboration with legendary DJ, Tiesto, 'Wombass', and confessed he can't wait for it's official release next month.
He explained: "Two years ago actually, Tiesto and I met up and were talking about a collaboration and then I think over a year later I sent him a new project I was working on and he really liked it and since then we've been working on it and it's finally finished and it's going to be released next month and the track works very well in both of our sets and I'm very excited for the release of it."
The DJ is currently on the UK leg of his 'Heldeep' tour and is set to play at We Are WHSE at Great Suffolk Street, London tomorrow (24.10.15) but he's admitted it's tough to stay healthy when you're constantly on the move.
He added: "It's hard sometimes but I don't drink a lot of alcohol. I rarely drink alcohol and I try to eat healthily but it's hard because food at the airport is s**t."
We Are WHSE presents Heldeep with Oliver Heldens, Becky Hill and Danny Howard this Saturday October 24. For tickets or more information visit www.wearewhse.co.uk/events/heldeep
Music News
Tony Bennett has confirmed he's working on a new Cole Porter covers album with Lady Gaga.
The 89-year-old musician has confirmed they are working on a follow-up to their acclaimed 'Cheek to Cheek' LP - which was released in 2014 and won the Grammy for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.
Asked if he is working on anything new with the 'Born This Way' hitmaker, he said: "Yeah, we're doing an album. It's going to be all Cole Porter songs. He was the best writer of all of them in the 'Great American Songbook'. Highly intelligent. We're going to have a lot of fun doing that."
The legendary jazz musician praised "gorgeous singer" Gaga and admitted their last record benefited both of them because teenagers became aware of his music and Tony's followers realised just how wonderful Gaga is.
He told Vulture magazine: "Gaga is a gorgeous singer, and when she sings a great ballad, I get goose bumps. She helped me and I helped her by doing 'Cheek to Cheek'. Through her telling her audience how much she likes me, all of them became fans of mine, all these young teenagers.
"On the other hand, by her singing these beautiful songs on the album, the audience I have, all of them said, 'God, I never knew she sang that wonderfully'. So we both helped one another. We get along great. She's got a lot of talent."
Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga working on new LP
Tony Bennett has confirmed he's working on a new Cole Porter covers album with Lady Gaga.
The 89-year-old musician has confirmed they are working on a follow-up to their acclaimed 'Cheek to Cheek' LP - which was released in 2014 and won the Grammy for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.
Asked if he is working on anything new with the 'Born This Way' hitmaker, he said: "Yeah, we're doing an album. It's going to be all Cole Porter songs. He was the best writer of all of them in the 'Great American Songbook'. Highly intelligent. We're going to have a lot of fun doing that."
The legendary jazz musician praised "gorgeous singer" Gaga and admitted their last record benefited both of them because teenagers became aware of his music and Tony's followers realised just how wonderful Gaga is.
He told Vulture magazine: "Gaga is a gorgeous singer, and when she sings a great ballad, I get goose bumps. She helped me and I helped her by doing 'Cheek to Cheek'. Through her telling her audience how much she likes me, all of them became fans of mine, all these young teenagers.
"On the other hand, by her singing these beautiful songs on the album, the audience I have, all of them said, 'God, I never knew she sang that wonderfully'. So we both helped one another. We get along great. She's got a lot of talent."
Music News
Jay Z and Timberland have won a copyright infringement case for 1999 hit 'Big Pimpin''.
The superstar rapper's first major single features flute notes sampled from an Egyptian composer, whose heir does not have the right to pursue a claim for ownership of the track, as ruled by US District Judge Christian Snyder, who dismissed the case before it was due to go to federal court in Los Angeles on Wednesday (21.10.15).
The nephew of musician Baligh Hamdi, whose 1957 song 'Khosara Khosara' is repeated throughout the track, sued Jay Z and the track's producer Timbaland in 2007.
Osama Ahmed Fahmy claims the pair exploited his uncles song without being granted permission.
The verdict was the result of a week-long trial, which took almost a decade to be settled.
Judge Snyder told the courtroom: "Fahmy lacked standing to pursue his claim. In light of that decision, it will not be necessary to submit to the jury whether Big Pimpin' infringed Khosara Khosara."
And Fahmy's lawyer, Pete Ross said they will fight the decision.
He said: "We think it's completely wrong, and we'll appeal."
Finally, Jay Z and Timberland's attorney Christine Lepera concluded in a statement: "We and our clients obviously are very pleased with this decision. The court correctly ruled that the plaintiff had no right to bring this case and cannot pursue any claim of infringement in connection with 'Big Pimpin'' whatsoever."
Jay Z wins copyright infringement case over Big Pimpin’
Jay Z and Timberland have won a copyright infringement case for 1999 hit 'Big Pimpin''.
The superstar rapper's first major single features flute notes sampled from an Egyptian composer, whose heir does not have the right to pursue a claim for ownership of the track, as ruled by US District Judge Christian Snyder, who dismissed the case before it was due to go to federal court in Los Angeles on Wednesday (21.10.15).
The nephew of musician Baligh Hamdi, whose 1957 song 'Khosara Khosara' is repeated throughout the track, sued Jay Z and the track's producer Timbaland in 2007.
Osama Ahmed Fahmy claims the pair exploited his uncles song without being granted permission.
The verdict was the result of a week-long trial, which took almost a decade to be settled.
Judge Snyder told the courtroom: "Fahmy lacked standing to pursue his claim. In light of that decision, it will not be necessary to submit to the jury whether Big Pimpin' infringed Khosara Khosara."
And Fahmy's lawyer, Pete Ross said they will fight the decision.
He said: "We think it's completely wrong, and we'll appeal."
Finally, Jay Z and Timberland's attorney Christine Lepera concluded in a statement: "We and our clients obviously are very pleased with this decision. The court correctly ruled that the plaintiff had no right to bring this case and cannot pursue any claim of infringement in connection with 'Big Pimpin'' whatsoever."
Music News
Justin Bieber is to perform at this year's MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs).
The 'What Do You Mean?' hitmaker, 21, is so "excited" to announce he will take to the stage at the event this Sunday (25.10.15) at the Mediolanum Forum in Milan, Italy.
Revealing his excitement ahead of the ceremony, Justin said: "I'm excited to share this performance and this new material with my fans around the world. The EMAs are always a blast. I'm glad to be back and it's going to be fun."
Justin's performance at the popular ceremony comes just two weeks ahead of the release of his highly-anticipated new album 'Purpose' on November 13.
The pop star will join the likes of Pharrell Williams, Ellie Goulding, Jason Derulo, James Bay, Jess Glynne and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis as they light up the arena with their energetic performances and famous sing-along hits.
The EMAs will be hosted by Ed Sheeran and Ruby Rose, while Charli XCX, rapper Tinie Tempah and model Hailey Baldwin are scheduled to present awards on the night.
Voting for all categories is open on mtvema.com until October 24.
Justin Bieber to perform at MTV EMAs
Justin Bieber is to perform at this year's MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs).
The 'What Do You Mean?' hitmaker, 21, is so "excited" to announce he will take to the stage at the event this Sunday (25.10.15) at the Mediolanum Forum in Milan, Italy.
Revealing his excitement ahead of the ceremony, Justin said: "I'm excited to share this performance and this new material with my fans around the world. The EMAs are always a blast. I'm glad to be back and it's going to be fun."
Justin's performance at the popular ceremony comes just two weeks ahead of the release of his highly-anticipated new album 'Purpose' on November 13.
The pop star will join the likes of Pharrell Williams, Ellie Goulding, Jason Derulo, James Bay, Jess Glynne and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis as they light up the arena with their energetic performances and famous sing-along hits.
The EMAs will be hosted by Ed Sheeran and Ruby Rose, while Charli XCX, rapper Tinie Tempah and model Hailey Baldwin are scheduled to present awards on the night.
Voting for all categories is open on mtvema.com until October 24.