The Neighborhood Inauguration Ball and the MTV special "Be The Change" brought out performances by Maroon 5, Kanye West, Mary J Blige, Mariah Carey, Stevie Wonder, and many more. According to various reports including this one, all celeb performers were stun.



Kanye West and his new longer hairstyle/Afro/Mullet?? performed a medley of his hits including "Love Lockdown."


Adam Levine held it down vocally for his group Maroon 5. (Wasn't Songs About Jane their best album?)



Alicia Keys jumped off her piano to perform "No One" with soul. She told MTV she was glad to be apart of history.

Labels: Alicia Keys, Beyonce Knowles, Jamie Foxx, Kanye West, Mariah Carey, Maroon 5, MJB, Nick Cannon, Political Hoopla, Stevie Wonder, TV Hoopla

Danity Kane vocalist Dawn Richard and Pharrell's protege Teyana Taylor attended the Toys for Tots event hosted by The Fashion Reporter, Land Rover Manhattan, and Bloomingdales Saturday night. (The event celebrated Fashion Reporter's third anniversary and it was also hosted by Dawn.)



Dawn arrived in a purple strapless Nicole Miller jersey dress and metallic Givenchy Open Toe d'Orsay heels. If Dawn's outfit looks familar, that's because Alicia Keys wore the same dress with Jimmy Choo snake patchwork sandals to the TIFF premiere of "Secret Life of Bees." Dawn talked briefly about her significance of her new tattoo which goes up and down her back. (Waits for the video to load...)




Teyana, who just celebrated her 18th birthday, rock a gold Louis Vuitton necklace and gray Ugg boots. Many thanks goes to Ra-Fael Blanco! (All photos by Urban-Hoopla & Getty!)

Labels: Alicia Keys, Danity Kane, Fashion Hoopla, Look on Lock, Platform, Teyana Taylor

With the December 9th album release date of her new album "Human" quickly approaching, Brandy did a photo session for the December 2008 edition of Vibe magazine. Check out her interview here. Next up for Brandy is the video release of her second single, "Long Distance."



Alicia Keys performed "I Need You" (my favorite up-tempo) off her album, "As I Am" for the season finale of "Dancing With The Stars." (Side note: If you recall the song was played mid-way through her "Teenage Love Affair" music video.) She even did a few dance moves...and she nailed it!



Mariah Carey recently paid a visit to the "Ellen DeGeneres Show" and pregnancy rumors hit a fever pitch thanks to what she wore and what she avoided drinking. Ellen: “You don’t have to answer that. Let’s just toast with champagne.” Mariah: "It's fattening! This is peer pressure! … It’s too early for me. I only drink after 3 p.m.” (Hmm...)

Labels: Alicia Keys, Brandy, Mariah Carey, Music Hoopla, Newsstand Snapshots, TV Hoopla

Without further delay, The 2008 American Music Awards was presented last night on ABC with a couple of "firsts" for the nominated artists. The rather-long music event was hosted by comedian Jimmy Kimmel.



Rihanna's "Rehab" performance was done in thigh-high Alexander McQueen boots which was a departure from the ruffle Zac Posen dress she arrived in. Justin Timberlake unforunately did not join Rihanna mid-way through. The Gucci Tattoo Hearts brand face picked up two American Music Awards (her first ever AMA's) for Soul/R&B Female Artist and Best Female Pop/Rock.



Kanye West (in his own clothing design Pastelle) gave a great live performance of his current single, "Heartless." Kanye's last album "Graduation" won one AMA for Favorite Rap/Hip Hop Album and he also picked up Favorite Rap/Hip Hop Male Artist. During his acceptance speech, Kanye declared that he wants to be like Elvis. 'It's our responsibility as musicians to keep pushing each other. We will be the new Beatles, the new [Jimi] Hendrix. I want to be Elvis.''



Beyonce's "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)" dance performance brought the crowd to its feet. Even Queen Latifah got up and did a little bit of "Uh Oh." Gotta love that Armani Privé satin black and white jacket Beyonce had on.


The Pussycat Dolls hit the stage to perform "When I Grow Up" and "Hate This Part." I liked that Melody Thornton had supporting vocals on the first performance set. Project Runway winner Christian Siriano dressed the Dolls for their red carpet appearance.



The Alicia Keys "Superwoman" remix with Queen Latifah was the event's last performance and one of the best. At first Latifah's mic wasn't working but when did it, I was blow away. Latifah's rapping again?! Then out nowhere classical vocalist Kathleen Battle joined the performance set. Hands down, hot! Alicia's third solo studio effort, "As I Am" won favorite pop/rock album.



Nick Cannon was such a gentleman as he helped his wife Mariah Carey down a flight of stairs before her "I Stay In Love" performance. Mariah (in Dolce & Gabbana) picked up top honors (honorary award for Favorite Female Artist) at the award ceremony for her record-breaking music career.



Christina Aguilera opened the show with a medley of her hits which included "Genie In A Bottle", "Dirrty", "Ain't No Other Man", "Fighter", "Keeps Gettin' Better" and "Beautiful".



Leona Lewis (in Jenny Packham) and Pink (in Vivienne Westwood) both hit the stage to perform their hit singles. Pink performed twice and she did a duet with Sarah McLachlan. Leona performed her current single "Better in Time."



Natasha Bedingfield and Ne-Yo both performed a medley of their hits. Tocarra was on the scene in a '50s-inspired polka-dot dress. Jordin Sparks (in Dolce & Gabbana) presented with Enrique Igelesias. Justin Timberlake paid tribute to Annie Lennox.



Read more about the AMA's over here and HERE.

Labels: Alicia Keys, Award Hoopla, Beyonce Knowles, Chris Brown, Christina Aguilera, Jamie Foxx, Justin Timberlake, Kanye West, Natasha Bedingfield, Ne-Yo, PCD, Pink, Queen Latifah, Rihanna, Tocarra

Zoe Kravitz was seen at two major events in New York City. She first attended the Film Benefit Gala honoring director Baz Luhrmann in this coral dress. Zoe then pose with another famous offspring Riley Keough - Elvis Prestley's granddaughter at the 2008 MTV U Woodie Awards.



Sanaa Lathan rock a turquoise shirt dress at the Alberta Ferretti US flagship opening. I cosign Blogger Myssidominici's comment on Sanaa's looking flawless! Next up for Sanaa is a voice over role for FOX's animated comedy series, "The Cleveland Show."



Ray J filmed a scene for his upcoming bachelor/dating-typed VH1 reality series on Robertson Blvd. He was seen shopping at Kitson and Madison with possible female contestants. Brandy even admitted recently to Angie Martinez that she doesn't see her brother ever settling down.



Over at New York's Hammerstein Ballroom, Alicia Keys, Padma Lakshmi, and Jessica Alba look fab at the 5th Annual Keep A Child Alive Black Ball. (Alicia was the event's ambassador as she was last year.) Also there were Justin Timberlake and Tyra Banks who had on a snug-fit red Michael Kors number.




Selita Ebanks joined her fellow Victoria's Secret models for a quick holiday photo session in Miami Beach. Selita and company exchanged holiday gift picks. The Victoria's Secret Fashion broadcast on December 3rd with a performance by Usher.

Labels: Alicia Keys, Jessica Alba, Justin Timberlake, Out and About, Platform, Ray J, Sanaa Lathan, Selita Ebanks, Tyra Banks, Zoe Kravitz

Alicia Keys sat down for a new interview this morning on "The View" to promote her album re-release, "As I Am: The Super Edition." She talked about her Bond Theme song with Jack White, her role in "The Secret Life of Bees" and her charity work. Tonight is her Keep a Child Black Ball event with Queen Latifah and Iman. The funniest part of her interview was her comment on being a Bond girl.



Fergie has been tapped to unveil the Swarovski Star that will sit atop this year's Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in Manhattan. This year's star is the heaviest to grace the famous Rockefeller tree. Fergie also talked about the celebrity-designed crystal ornaments that will decorate the tree. Click here for more info. The Tree Lighting Ceremony will air live on NBC on December 3rd. Holiday season is back in full swing!

Labels: Alicia Keys, Fergie, Music Hoopla, Platform, TV Hoopla

Yves Saint Laurent platform pull on boots are officially the hottest platform shoe in Tinseltown. In New York City, Alicia Keys was spotted in a black leather pair and black geeky specs as she exited the Ed Sullivan Theatre after her "David Letterman" appearance.




That extra large white bag Alicia had was this Salvatore Ferragamo Pitone Specchio Clutch. You gotta love the bag's sequin folded ends!

Photos: WENN, Wireimage via Alicia Keys Online

She performed one of my favorites "The Thing About Love" off her third solo album, "As I Am." Alicia sang the song as she played her piano so don't expect any dance moves like she did the last time she appeared on "Letterman." Check it out...

Labels: Alicia Keys, Fashion Hoopla, Music Hoopla, TV Hoopla

Kerry Washington was spotted in another sparkly dress at L'Oreal Legends Gala to Benefit The Ovarian Cancer Research Fund. Kerry offered her suggestion for Malia and Sasha's new pet/First Dog - a Shorkie (a mix between a Shih Tzu and a Yorkie). Why? Kerry owns one! And I quote: "My dog is hypoallergenic, and I've told them all about her."



Lucy Liu hopped right onto the YSL Trib Two craze that everyone in Hollywood seems to enjoy when she attended the 2008 Behind The Camera Awards. Next up for Lucy is the DVD release of her latest film "King Fu Panda."



Will Smith's 10-year-old son Jaden has been announced as the new Karate Kid. Filming of the 1984 classic begins in Beijing with Will as the project's producer. (Isn't it great that Will has his son in the box office business?!)


Christina Aguilera sported new bangs at Matthew Rolston's “beautyLIGHT” book launch in Beverly Hills. In case you missed it, check out Christina's new song "Dynamite" here. (FYI: Her greatest hits album, "Keeps Gettin Better" is in stores today.)



Alicia Keys knocked out a medley of her hits including "Superwoman" and "Fallin" on "Good Morning America." Next up for Alicia is the re-release of her third solo album, "As I Am: The Super Edition."



Kim Kardashian (in H&M) was seen outside the Villa Nightclub in Los Angeles. I wonder what she thinks of Adrienne Bailon's photo scandal? (FYI: Adrienne is the girlfriend of Kim's younger brother Robert.)



Eve attended the 2008 Emery Awards (left) and the launch party for the new Blackberry Gold (right) in New York City. Only Eve can get away with that fierce asymmetrical hairstyle (see center).



On her feet are Sergio Rossi for Narciso Rodriguez double strap patent leather sandals. These black patent leather shoes are taken from Narciso Rodriguez Fall/Winter 2008 collection.

Labels: Alicia Keys, Box Office Hoopla, Celeb Offspring, Christina Aguilera, Eve, Kerry Washington, Kim Kardashian, Launch, Lucy Liu, Platform, TV Hoopla, Will Smith

Kimora Lee Simmons and Djimon Hounsou were all smiles at the AFI Film Festival premiere of "Defiance" last night. Kimora wore a black and white Notte by Marchesa babydoll dress to the event. Wait is that Kimora's new engagement ring???



Cute couple Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel had a dinner date at his NYC-based restaurant Southern Hospitality. (The food there is great!) In case you missed the new song Justin did with T-Pain, give it a listen here.



Judging by the smile Rihanna gave her close friend Chris Brown, she had a speedy recovery after her stage faint incident in Australia. The twosome were seen at their tour after-party in Sydney.



The Cannons (Mariah & Nick) pose backstage at the 2008 World Music Awards. Mariah has on a red Diane von Furstenberg dress which matches Nick's red watch. Mariah thanked Nick in her Special Lifetime Achievement award acceptance speech according to PEOPLE. "It's a blessing to live this life. Thanks to the fans and for the 18 number one singles I've had. Special shout to my husband and best friend Nick, I love you."



Alicia Keys performed "Superwoman" and "No One" at the 2008 World Music Awards in black YSL round-toe Mary Jane platforms before she arrived in a lavender Moschino dress. Alicia picked up the award for World's Best R&B artist.



Alicia was later on seen at Berlin's Giulianova Lido Abruzzo restaurant in funky pink and black platform sandals and harem-like pants after her "Wetten Dass" appearance. She performed "Superwoman" at the show. (Thanks Toya!)



Solange hit up the red carpet in a chiffon dress and colorful nails before she performed "Sandcastle Disco" at the music event. By the way Solange added a new blog post about her nail art obsession.



Michelle Williams rock a green dress when she arrived at the 2008 World Music Awards in Monte Carlo. She co-hosted the event with actor Jesse Metcalfe. Two-thirds of Destiny's Child was in the building!



Leona Lewis was named World's Best Pop Female Artist but she didn't attend the show. Find out what else went down at the 2008 World Music Awards right here!

Labels: Alicia Keys, Award Hoopla, Chris Brown, Djimon Hounsou, Justin Timberlake, Kimora Lee Simmons, Mariah Carey, Michelle Williams, Nick Cannon, Out and About, Rihanna, Solange, TV Hoopla

A new song by Usher called "At The Time" heated up the music blog scene this week. The song in question was produced by T-Pain but don't quote me on that. The beat and melody came out quite great and addictive. "At The Time" first hit up the music blogosphere back in July as a leftover track from "Here I Stand." Maybe Usher's camp wants to add this track onto the new album out in early 2009?! Nonetheless, give it a listen.




"As I Am: The Super Edition" has its album release date set on November 14th with two previously unreleased tracks, "Doncha Know (Sky Is Blue)" and "Savior" according to Rap-Up. Alicia Keys also added the Bond theme song, "Another Way To Die" onto the music project. In the meantime check out the groovy old-school track, "Savior" below. (I think Alicia's sticking with the same groove that "Teenage Love Affair" had.)



In related news, Alicia can be seen on the cover of "Cosmopolitan" magazine in the same McQ by Alexander McQueen seuqin dress that Kerry Washington wore last year. Which look is on lock, folks?



So do you like these new Usher/Alicia Keys songs or not?

Labels: Alicia Keys, Fashion Hoopla, Kerry Washington, Music Hoopla, New Music, Newsstand Snapshots, Usher