Poolparty - The Music Scene and Other Pop Culture Happenings.

BET Best Bet for Music Awards

I luvs me some MTV, and I'm sure they will create magic in the future as they have done in the past, but for a sure bet there is no beating the 2008 BET Awards right now. They are on the ascension, and have gained the inside track for awards show sure fire fun. [Source]

"I don't know if I agree with that."

Made up Britney Spears Quote

What are the 2008 BET Nominees? I'm glad you asked:

Video of the Year
Ashanti "The Way That I Love You"
Alicia Keys "Like You'll Never See Me Again"
Mary J. Blige "Just Fine"
UGK feat. OutKast "Int'l Player's Anthem (I Choose You)"
Kanye West feat. T-Pain "Good Life"
Erykah Badu "Honey"

Best Female R&B Artist
Alicia Keys
Mary J. Blige
Keyshia Cole
Rihanna
Mariah Carey

Best Male R&B Artist
Raheem DeVaughn
Trey Songz
Ne-Yo
Chris Brown
J. Holiday

Best Group
Danity Kane
UGK
Day 26
Playaz Circle
Gnarls Barkley

Lifetime Achievement
Al Green

Live on June 24th 8 PM EST/PST.

Erykah Badu "Honey"

She's So Right

“You have to be self-reliant and strong to survive in this town. Otherwise you will be destroyed.”

Joan Crawford

Amy Winehouse Does Alicia

A new Amy Winehouse video has emerged featuring goddaughter Dionne D on a cover of Alicia Keys' "If I Ain't Got You." Pete Doherty is thought to have filmed the performance, according to NME.

Amy Winehouse "If I Ain't Got You"

Janet Jackson Spends Another Year on Earth

Janet turned 40ish' yesterday but looks gorgeous, sexy and exotic, like from planet Romulus, and I hear her new album is doing very well in Beta Quadrant.

In any event, Janet Jackson is always ahead of the curve. Happy birthday Janet!

Janet Jackson "All For You"

Now Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie Can Get Married

Ellen & Portia DeGeneres-De Rossi plan to get married since the California State Supreme Court Ruling. Fortunately, most people are able to take for granted one of the most fundamental rights of being human - choosing your life partner. The decision is so much more than sexual. It is a union in mind, body and spirit that takes both partners through life. The best defense of marriage is to encourage people to make a life commitment based on strong foundations rather than send people into exile or false forced ceremonies. People have learned that traditions of slavery, bigotry, sexism and hate were wrong. Hopefully, people will learn every relationship of loving consenting adults only adds to the strength of society.

"Angie and I will consider tying the knot when everyone else in the country who wants to be married is legally able."

Brad Pitt

 

Ellen's Getting Married!

Coldplay "Violet Hill" (Dancing Politicians) Official Video

If there's one political message to come out of Coldplay's "Violet Hill," it's that dancing politicians are funny.  Hee, hee, dancing politicians...  "Violet Hill" is featured on Coldplay's highly-anticipated fourth studio album, "Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends."  "Life" begins on June 17th.   

Coldplay "Violet Hill" (Dancing Politicians) Official Video

Taylor Hicks Broadway Bound

Soul Patrol! Soul Patrol!  Sorry, had to get that out of the way.  Like many "Idol" alums before him, Taylor Hicks has been seduced by the bright lights of Broadway.  Taylor will play Angel in the 3,480th revival of "Grease."  I say good for him. "American Idol" should probably just start offering contestants roles in Broadway musicals instead of recording contracts.  [Source]

Taylor Hicks "Do I Make You Proud"

It Is About Time for Gay Marriage

In June 1967 the Supreme Court overturned state laws that had regionally banned interracial marriage. The Supreme Court case that ended all race-based marriage restrictions was Loving v. Virginia. Mrs. Mildred Loving, was plaintiff in the case and she died on May 2nd, 2008. Having lived through the injustice of anti-miscegenation laws vividly, she intrinsically understood the evil of laws that did not respect fundamental human rights.

"I believe all Americans, no matter their race, no matter their sex, no matter their sexual orientation, should have that same freedom to marry. Government has no business imposing some people's religious beliefs over others."

Mrs. Mildred Loving

There seems little disagreement that marriage is a sacrament. If so, religious groups have the right to regulate that. I would not impose my religious beliefs on others and I certainly don't expect the government of the United States that was founded in religious freedom to impose religious doctrine on me. Twenty years prior to 1967, most states had laws banning interracial marriage. One of the blessings of our human experience is to evolve, throwing off the chains of slavery, embracing freedom and equality for all men and woman, and truly respecting the pursuit of happiness such that no other is lessened by it. Today in California is a day to celebrate. [Source]

Bette Midler "Chapel of Love / Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy"

Rihanna "Bows" In At No. 1

I totally don't understand how they calculate the Billboard charts anymore, but congratulations to Rihanna for scoring another No. 1 hit.  Rihanna's "Take A Bow" rocketed from No. 53 to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 -- in just ONE week.  The single sold an astounding 267,000 digital copies.  Does it really matter what came in second?  (For the record, it was "Bleeding Love" by Leona Lewis.)  [Source]

Rihanna "Take A Bow"

Listen To Jennifer Hudson's "All Dressed In Love" From The "Sex & The City" Movie

J.Hud sangs the hell out of "All Dressed in Love," written by Cee-Lo and MC Jack Splash, and featured on the "Sex and the City" movie soundtrack.  Can't wait to see how she'll fare against all the oversexed characters in the "Sex" universe, (Jennifer plays Carrie Brashaw's assistant in the movie).  [Source]

Jennifer Hudson "All Dressed In Love"

Howard Stern Crosses Line With Dolly Parton Segment

Howard Stern can be funny. He can be mean. He can enlighten the world and darken it in the same show. There is a respect in a free country for free expression. But there is a point when a line is crossed and the advertisers, producers and network of people associated with someone's free expression need to consider whether they want to be associated with such. Howard Stern crossed a line with a segment compiled of Dolly Parton sound-bites. We won't replay it, and we would replay anything, so that say it all.

"I have never been so shocked, hurt and humiliated in all my life. I cannot believe what Howard Stern has done to me. In a blue million years, I would never have such vulgar things come out of my mouth. They have done editing or some sort of trickery to make this horrible, horrible thing. Please accept my apology for them and certainly know I had nothing to do with this."

"If there was ever going to be a lawsuit, it's going to be over this. Just wanted you to know that I am completely devastated by this."

Dolly Parton

SIRIUS should lawyer up and pray they don't get me on the jury. [Source]

Howard Stern on Letterman

One Night Only Will Stay Longer if Asked Nicely

One Night Only performed at the Manchester Academy in Manchester, England last night, in the midst of cross-continental tour promoting their album "Started a Fire." Certainly a lot of electricity.

One Night Only "You and Me"

"Queen Is Back" As Donna Summer Breaks Out the "Crayons"

PEOPLE has a sneak peak of a couple of tracks appearing on Donna Summer's first album, "Crayons." The album is due May 20th, but "Stamp Your Feet" because "Your Queen is Back." [First Listen]

Donna Summer "I Feel Love"