MUSIC NEWS: BEYONCE’S “4″ CERTIFIED PLATINUM / DRAKE COLLABORATES WITH STEVIE WONDER / LIL’ KIM INKS NEW DEAL

According to her official website, just a month after it’s release, megastar Beyoncé’s fourth studio album, appropriately titled 4, has been certified platinum in the United States.

The album, released June 28th, sold 310,000 in it’s first week of sales, debuting at #1 on the Billboard 200 charts, making this Beyoncé’s fourth consecutive #1 album. In the second week, the album remained #1, despite an 63% sales decrease, selling 115,000 copies.

Congratulations to Beyoncé. Now, it’s only a matter of time before information about an upcoming tour starts surfacing.

DRAKE COLLABORATES WITH STEVIE WONDER

0After headlining his October’s Very Own Festival in Toronot, Young Money signee Drake talked with MuchMusic to reveal some exclusive information about the legendary Stevie Wonder collaborating with him on his upcoming sophomore album, Take Care.

“Stevie Wonder is a very close friend of mine. I’m honored to call him a friend, someone who embraced me very early in this music business,” he said. “This is an exclusive right here, because it’s MuchMusic, and we’re Canadian: Stevie Wonder is actually on ‘Take Care.’

“He helped me out with a lot of the music, just came and sat with me, listened to my music, told me where I could add a couple things to make it more sonically appealing, and not only that but we actually are writing together, which is an incredible experience.”

So I hit him, asked him to come by, and with no hesitation he hit me back like, ‘I will be there.’ Not only that, but he was supposed to do two songs and he did like six,” Drake said. “It was incredible.”

In addition to this news, Drake released his lead single, “Headlines” over the weekend. Take Care is slated to hit stores this fall, October 24th.

LIL’ KIM INKS NEW DEAL

Rumors swarmed earlier this year that Lil’ Kim had signed a deal with former “Magic Stick” collaborator 50 Cent’s label, G-Unit. However, it seems that new developments have arisen, and although before, she spoke about releasing her next record independently, the Queen Bee has opted to tap a major label for her new release.

According to the Universal Music roaster, Lil’ Kim is officially a part of the Universal Music Group family.

This is quite interesting. It’s not certain whether Kim is linked to Universal Motown, Geffen, Interscope, A&M, Def Jam or any other labels underneath the UMG umbrella. However, it is quite interesting that Lil’ Kim would choose to be labelmates with her obvious rival, Nicki Minaj.

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MUSIC NEWS: ASHANTI RELEASES NEW PROMO PIC, WORKING ON 5TH ALBUM

Check out this new promo photos from singer Ashanti. The 30 year-old is currently working on her 5th studio album.

( PHOTO: Robert Ector )
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NEWS: SINGER AMY WINEHOUSE DIES AT 27; FOUND DEAD IN HER LONDON HOME

Sad news. Singer/songwriter and Grammy award winning artist Amy Winehouse was found dead in her London home early Saturday morning (July 23). She was 27 years old.

CNN, TMZ and AP news confirm the story:

“Police were called by London Ambulance Service to an address in Camden Square NW1 shortly before 16.05hrs today, Saturday 23 July, following reports of a woman found deceased. On arrival officers found the body of a 27-year-old female who was pronounced dead at the scene.

Enquiries continue into the circumstances of the death. At this early stage it is being treated as unexplained. [ SOURCE ]

For the past couple of years, the troubled star has been making news for her drug and alcohol addiction and just last month she cut short her European tour after she stumbled through several songs (LINK).

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MUSIC NEWS: KANYE, ADELE & MORE NOMINATED FOR VMA AWARDS / COMMON TO RELEASE ALBUM IN FALL

It’s that time of year again and the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards nominations are in! As far as those leading with nominations we have Kanye West and Adele with 7 nods, Bruno Mars with 4, and Beyonce, Eminem and Nicki Minaj with 3 nods each. Chris Brown, Tyler the Creator and Lil Wayne join the list with 2 nominations.

“Yonkers” by Odd Future’s Tyler, the Creator and “Rolling in the Deep” by British singer Adele will be fighting for the Video of the Year title. Big Sean‘s “My Last” and Wiz Khalifia‘s “Black & Yellow” will be vying for the Best New Artist award as well. Click here to peep the entire nomination list!

The MTV VMAs are scheduled to air LIVE from Los Angeles’ Nokia Theater on Sunday, August 28 at 9/8 CST. Congrats to all the nominees!

COMMON TO SET TO RELEASE 9TH STUDIO ALBUM

Rapper/actor Common is set to drop his ninth studio album through Warner Brothers records. The lead single “Ghetto Dreams” features Nas and hit the web earlier this month.


♫ Common – Ghetto Dreams (feat. Nas)

The album, The Dreamer, The Believer is scheduled to hit iTunes and record stores on November 22. It has been two years since Common’s last album, Universal Mind Control (2008).

( Photos: Getty Images/Google Images )
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