MusicHunterz

Besides Armstrong's performance with Lambert, this Sunday's Grammys will feature a number of interesting musical collaborations. As previously announced, Dave Grohl,Nine Inch Nails, Queens of the Stone Age and Fleetwood Mac guitarist/vocalist Lindsey Buckingham will close out the show. Prior to that, the show will feature several "duets": Metallica will play "One" with concert pianist Lang Lang; Robin Thicke will team with Chicago; Carole King and Sara Bareilles will perform together; Kendrick Lamar has something in the works with Imagine Dragons; and Pink will likely sing "Just Give Me a Reason" with fun. frontman Nate Ruess. Daft Punk will play their first televised performance since 2008 with help from Stevie Wonder, Nile Rodgers and Pharrell Williams, and a quartet of country's finest – Merle Haggard, Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson and Blake Shelton – will play together.

Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr are set to play separate sets at the show. Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, Katy Perry, Lorde, Kacey Musgraves, John Legend, and Macklemore and Ryan Lewis will all perform as well.

Pop star Justin Bieber has been arrested after police say he drag raced on a Miami Beach street in a yellow Lamborghini and failed a sobriety test early Thursday (January 23).

Miami Beach police confirmed the 19-year-old singer's arrest in a tweet from the department's official account.

Officers saw two cars racing at 4:09 a.m. Thursday, with two vehicles apparently used to block the area off, Miami Dade-Police spokesman Sgt. Bobby Hernandez told WSVN in South Florida. He says the second car was a red Ferrari, and that driver was also arrested. Both cars were towed.

Justin Bieber failed a field sobriety test and was taken to the Miami Beach police station for a Breathalyzer and processing, Bobby Hernandez said. Justin Bieber will be transported to the Miami-Dade County jail, Bobby Hernandez said.

An email seeking comment from publicist Melissa Victor was not immediately returned.

The street where police say Justin Bieber was racing is a palm-tree-lined residential area in mid-Miami Beach. Along one side of the street are small apartment buildings, and on the other side are a high school, a youth center, a golf course and a city firehouse.

Earlier this month, officials said that detectives in California searched Justin Bieber's home looking for surveillance footage that might serve as evidence the pop star was involved in an egg-tossing vandalism case that caused thousands of dollars in damage to a neighbor's home. Officials said Justin Bieber was at the home and cooperated with authorities

In that case, authorities arrested one member of Justin Bieber's entourage on suspicion of drug possession: Lil Za, a rapper whose real name is Xavier Smith.

After being taken to jail, Smith had felony vandalism added to his potential charges and was released on bail at about 8:15 p.m.

The singer lives in a gated community in Calabasas, a celebrity enclave about 30 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles.

Previous investigations into Justin Bieber's conduct by the sheriff's department have not resulted in charges.

In October, prosecutors declined to charge Justin Bieber after a neighbor complained he drove recklessly through the area. Prosecutors in November 2012 also declined to charge the singer after a paparazzo accused him of punching and hitting him after leaving a Calabasas movie theater.

Imagine being able to track the music history of your favourite music genre? Right from the beginning of the jazz and blues scene in the USA to the evolution of heavy metal, its genres and sub-genres from the UK and eventually moving to the USA and to Europe. If times and researchers are to be believed, then there might be something interesting in store for music lovers across the globe. There are more examples regarding how the visualisation can make complex data accessible to users and even make it fun at the same time. The Big Picture project, which is working on the music mapping, does so on a weekly basis. Google says this is one of the many collaborative efforts between the Music Recommendations and Discovery Teams

Aashiqui 2 led the films category of the fourth Gionee Star Global Indian Music Academy (GiMA) Awards as it walked away with six awards here.

Initiated by Wizcraft International to applaud the finest achievements in the music Industry, the ceremony hosted by Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh was held Monday evening.

The Aditya Roy Kapur-Shraddha Kapoor starrer movie was honoured with awards including for best film song (Tum hi ho), best film album, best playback singer male (Arjit Singh) and best playback singer female (Shreya Ghoshal).

"It's very special when you win an award, it reminds you that there is so much work to do, so much more music to enthrall audiences, I am very proud to be a part of this industry. Aashiqui 2 has definitely been the flavour of the year," Ghosal said in a statement.

The Lifetime Achievement Honour went to melody queen Asha Bhosle in the popular category for her outstanding contribution to the music industry. Music maestro Ram Narayan, considered the finestsarangi exponent in the country and the man who made it a popular instrument, was also awarded the Lifetime Achievement Honour - Classical.

In the non-film category, various episodes of second season of "Coke Studio @MTV" emerged victorious.

The ceremony featured some performances by stalwarts in the music industry and Bollywood.

Asha Bhosle also paid tribute to music legend R D Burman with her performance on some of his most iconic songs Mera naam shabnam, Dum maro dum, Gulabi chehra, and Aa dekhe zara among others.

Actress Sonakshi Sinha gave a spellbinding performance, and singer Usha Uthup presented a special performance with a number of songs.

Remember the bass-friendly headphones and in-ear phones by Beats Audio? Maybe the popular 'Beats by Dr Dre' series? Well, Beats has now finally expanded to subscription-based online music streaming. The Beats Yo! drum kit is free for download and use. However, throwing in a bit of the commercial aspect has Beats Yo! offering in-app purchases where additional drum-kits can be bought. Of course, if one chooses not to purchase, they are left with just one drum-kit (the original free downloaded one). The app is only compatible with Windows Phone 8 devices as of now

Singer Selena Gomez was partying with a mystery man at the Sundance Film Festival.

The Come & Get It singer, who was recently thought to have reunited with her ex-boyfriend Justin Bieber, appeared at the festival to promote her new film Rudderless Tuesday night (January 21) and attended the Grey Goose party alongside a man described as having shaggy blond hair and wearing a green sweater.

"She went right up to him really early on in the evening," people.com quoted a source as saying.

Selena Gomez was then seen getting very close to the mystery man.

A R Rahman has not just composed and sung melodious tunes for Imtiaz Ali's Highway, he has also shot for a video of a number.

"Imtiaz directing a music video with me for Highway, for the male version of Patakha Guddi. Do wait for ten days," Rahman posted along with a photograph on his Facebook page on January 19.

The photograph also features the film's leading lady, Alia Bhatt, and they are seen sitting in a truck.

The original Patakha Guddi was the first song to be launched from the Highway soundtrack. Written by Irshad Kamil and sung by the Nooran sisters from Punjab, it is picturised on Alia.

The song's male version is likely to have been sung by Rahman, who has also crooned a romantic number Maahi Ve for the movie.

Highway, produced by Window Seat Films and presented by Sajid Nadiadwala, will be released worldwide by UTV Motion Pictures on February 21. The music of the film will be available on T-Series.

Twilight co-star Kellan Lutz reportedly does not want to offend Miley Cyrus's ex-fiance Liam Hemsworth by getting into a serious relationship with her as he is friends with both.

The 28-year old actor will never get into a relationship with the pop sensation out of respect for his friendship with Liam Hemsworth.

"Kellan is friends with Liam and doesn't want to insult him by getting serious with Miley," a source said.

"Miley came on way too strong for Kellan. All he wanted was to have a good time, and when they first hooked up she told him that was all she was after too," the source added.

The star also did not realise that the 21-year old Wrecking Ball singer will get serious. "He didn't expect her to get obsessed with him, because she acts so cool and independent. He feels bad. He never meant to hurt her," the insider said.

He has sung in his mother-tongue Tamil as well as Hindi and now composer A R Rahman has crooned his first Punjabi number Maahi Ve for Imtiaz Ali's Highway. He said it was easier than Hindi.

"First of all, I am singing in Punjabi, nobody complimented me," the Oscar winning composer said.

He is known for going behind the mike for Tamil hits such as Oruvan Oruvan (Muthu), Sandakkozhi(Aaytha Ezhuthu) and Athiradee from (Sivaji). In Hindi, he has sung hit numbers Hamma Hammma andKhwaja mere khwaja.

When asked how did he pick up the language, Rahman said, "I am a fan of the language, I have been listening to Nusrat (Fateh Ali Khan) saab's songs for the past 25 years. So, it was just affection for the language. Then, of course, working with Subhash Ghai and (late) Yash Chopra jee (helped). It was easier than Hindi," he added.

Alia Bhatt and Randeep Hooda starrer Highway will hit theatres on February 21.

Singers Selena Gomez, Taylor Swift and Demi Lovato recently enjoyed a cup of tea together.

Selena Gomez posted a picture of the three of them laughing together on photo sharing website Instagram.

"Just a Saturday night," Gomez wrote alongside the picture. "Taylor's tea, Demi's laugh. Honestly, can't complain."

While Selena Gomez and Taylor Swift were present, Demi Lovato joined them via video call.

The 21-year old singer, Selena Gomez, recently, announced her plans to cancel her upcoming tour to Australia as she needs some time off.

Pop star Justin Bieber has named his new bulldog puppy Karma.

Justin managed to zero in on the name after his father Jeremy Bieber, asked his fans to come up with a name on social networking site Twitter.

"So we have got a name selected for the newest Bieber. Big thanks to @justinfredos the Belieber who chose it 'Karma' (sic)," Jeremy tweeted.

"Karma is a little bitter lol (sic)," he added.

The 19-year-old bought the puppy at Ruffin's Pet Centre while visiting his family in Stratford, Ontario, for Christmas.

A source had earlier said that Justin had fallen in love with the puppy after he visited the pet store.

Rihanna's friends have reportedly made her use an app to stop her getting in touch with Chris Brown.

The two stars had a tumultuous relationship, during which he was convicted of assaulting her. They got back together but things didn't work out and Rihanna has been single since their split last year.

Although she knows their romance is toxic it's been claimed she still misses Chris and sometimes wants to reach out to him. Her friends are adamant that her future lies without the R&B star, which is why they told her to use a mobile phone app to block his number.

"She can have problems with self-control when it comes to rekindling that relationship and after a big night out she kept talking about missing him, so we took matters into our own hands," an insider told British magazine Heat.

The application Rihanna used apparently hides contact details for 48 hours, making it impossible for you to get in touch with the person. There is also the option to text yourself warning against sending any messages you might regret at a later point.

Although she's single, the Barbados-born singer hasn't been short of offers. She is rumoured to have enjoyed a flirtation with A$AP Rocky, while in November it was claimed her ex-boyfriend Drake was hoping to rekindle things.

"He told her, 'Life would be more fun with me,' and even joked that they should get married," a source told British magazine Heat. "Rihanna's friends are really pleased. They think Drake is a positive influence on her, encouraging her to cut back on pot smoking and constant partying."

Simon Cowell's girlfriend reportedly thinks they need more "quality time together".

The music mogul and his other half Lauren Silverman are currently expecting their first child together.

Over the New Year period the couple enjoyed a stay in a luxury hotel in the Caribbean, where they were spotted getting cozy on the beach.

However they weren't alone on their vacation as Simon's ex-girlfriends Sinitta and Terri Seymour jetted out to join them, but Lauren allegedly hoped for some alone time with her beau.

"Lauren was happy for the girls to join them, but she's been saying she wanted to make sure she and Simon had quality time together," a source told British magazine Closer.

Simon and Sinitta dated in the 1980s and after finding out about the pregnancy with Lauren the 50-year-old beauty revealed she felt "betrayed". She also claimed she aborted his baby while they were together.

It appears Sinitta's reason for joining the new couple on their holiday was to wish Lauren well.

"Sinitta and Simon had already made peace, but she wanted to ensure things were fine with Lauren, too, so she apologised as soon as she got to Barbados. She said she's truly happy for the couple and doesn't want to come between them," the insider added.

The trio are believed to have reconciled their differences before they spent time together abroad and were happy to see in 2014 together.

"It has been a tough year for Simon and Sinitta," an insider previously revealed.

"Simon and Lauren were both upset when she spoke about aborting his baby and it did rock the boat. But the trio have sorted out their differences and are looking forward to spending New Year together."

Dannii Minogue is having 'tons of fun' with her new man.

The Australian star faced life as a single mother when she split with her rugby star-and-model ex Kris Smith.

The pair have three-year-old son Ethan together, and while Dannii has found it harder to find love again Kris moved on quickly with model Maddy King.

Dannii was first spotted with singer Adrian Newman in October, and friends credit her new man with opening Dannii's heart again.

"Adrian has made Dannii realise she can love again. He was a bit of a party boy and had a reputation as a ladies' man, but that's not the kind of guy he is now. He loves playing the family man with Dannii - they have tons of fun and he's brilliant with Ethan," a source told British magazine Look.

Adrian is the front man of Swiss band Lovebugs. He's a multi-platinum selling songwriter, but has shed his partying in favour of spending time with 42-year-old Dannii.

The relationship works so well because of their shared interests say friends.

"Dannii's got things she regrets too. Adrian's different to Kris, so creative, and the chemistry is unbelievable," the insider added.

While Dannii is in the throes of a new relationship, big sister Kylie seems happy to stay single for the time being.

The petite Aussie star split from her long-term beau Andrés Velencoso last year, but is busy throwing herself into work which includes a mentor spot on the UK version of The Voice.

"She doesn't have a problem being single, contrary to popular belief. She must be sick of the 'Poor Kylie, she never has much luck with men' attitude. She absolutely doesn't need people to feel sorry for her. After everything she's been through, ever new year - every day - is blessing," a friend revealed to Look, referring to Kylie's past battle with breast cancer.

Kylie Minogue is said to be in turmoil over a new INXS biopic. 

The Australian pop star dated INXS lead singer Michael Hutchence for two years from 1989.

They remained close up until Michael's untimely death in 1997, which was recorded as suicide by a coroner. 

A new two-part Australian drama INXS: Never Tear Us Apart is set to air in February and friends worry that all Kylie's raw emotions over the death will be dredged up again. 

"That time is so precious to her. Of all her exes, it's Michael who she misses the most. The idea of their relationship being cheapened and undermined for public titillation is almost unbearable," a source told Britain's Now magazine. 
"Kylie's people have been making some enquires about the script and her description of it."

Sources are also concerned because Kylie is still getting over her split from model Andres Velencoso.

The pair split last year and 45-year-old Kylie has since thrown herself into work, which includes her latest project as a mentor on the UK version of The Voice. 

"The whole Andres situation hit her for six. She signed up for a load of commitments, believing he'd be waiting for her.

Now she's on her own again, hearing all sorts of stories about the beautiful young models he's been spending his time with. It's all desperately sad and makes her pine for the past," the source added. 

Kylie has spoken openly in the past of her love for Michael and the loss she felt when he died.

"With one man, there was freedom and liberation. That was with Michael, my partner in life... Yes, he did have a dark side, but he was also a beautiful person," she previously stated.

Have Your Say

Drake's not just a rapper -- but we already knew that, especially for those who grew up watching Aubrey Graham on "Degrassi: The Next Generation." Now, he can add a new notch to his belt of appearances: "Saturday Night Live" host.

Though he's appeared on the show in the past as a musical guest and cameo performer, the rapper got his time in the spotlight -- literally, at times -- for the sketch comedy show's first episode back since Christmas. As though introducing himself to viewers who might not know his backstory, he graciously laid it all out in his opening monologue, during which he asserted himself as both black and Jewish, flashing back to a Bar Mitzvah scene that found him composing a rap about both sides of his culture: "I play ball like LeBron and I know what a W2 is," he spat while introducing members of his extended "family," including new cast member Sasheer Zamata as his aunt.

First and foremost, he's known as a musician -- and though his comedy bits were certainly inspired, Drake hit hardest with cuts from hit album "Nothing Was the Same."

His first song choice was pretty much expected; the rapper broke into "Started From the Bottom," treating the fairly minimalist beats with a correspondingly minimalist stage show. If anyone from his entourage or backing band was onstage, they weren't visible; there was nothing but Drake, red-washed by a spotlight, darkness surrounding him, as he went through the motions -- literally -- on the hit song. Toward its end, the song phased into a few moments of "Trophies," the rapper's newest tune, finishing with a brooding end shot.

The brooding -- oh, the brooding -- continued. A little before the 1 a.m. hour, he broke into a piano-laden "Hold On, We're Going Home," swapping the red light for a cool blue and taking the tempo down a notch. Again, no one was in sight -- that is, into the song segued into "From Time," prompting the song's featured performer, Jhene Aiko, to make an appearance on the dimly-lit stage. The duo swapped lines earnestly, turning to each other as though it was a simple conversation the two were carrying, no one else in the room but them. The stage setup, certainly, accentuated this.

Acting-wise, Drizzy jumped into the game almost immediately, appearing in the cold open of Piers Morgan's talk show to play shamed baseball star Alex Rodriguez, breaking down the extensive roster of entities he's suing while vehemently denying using steroids: his iPhone, for autocorrecting his messages; the dictionary, for assisting in his knowledge of words at all; and Jackie Robinson, "for even breaking into the leagues and making this possible in the first place."

A Hip-Hop Classics bit, hosted by Kenan Thompson's Sway, allowed multiple cast members to break out their very best rapper impressions, showcasing other rappers' forays into acting prior to their moves to music. Drake took over for Jay Pharoah for Lil Wayne, and while it might have paled in comparison, the rapper's aping of Weezy was definitely humorous, especially voice-wise. Then there was his Jay Z, which basically meant copping Hov's mannerisms -- laughing a lot, exclamations of "Brooklyn!" and such. Also of note: Taran Killam's eerily accurate, angry-voiced Eminem and a bit of a bipolar 2 Chainz from Pharoah.

In "Resolution Revolution," the show's newest digital short-esque music video, Drake joined Pharoah, Killam and Zamata in a rap about folks' New Year's resolutions. Naturally, the rapper broke his no-drinking vow in about five seconds, eventually causing the rest of the group to end their vows against gambling and smoking. How long did they make it? Jan. 18, which is honestly probably better than a great deal of us.

The rapper also appeared as Zamata's awkward father who garners a bit of a crush from Aidy Bryant, though he attempts to dispel her every move -- all the while absolutely mortifying his daughter and the rest of her friends. Then there was his Katt Williams impression in a Nancy Grace sketch about Colorado's weed situation ("Consider me forever Rocky Mountain high, baby!", a turn as a detention-bound delinquent who has a thing for his 68-year-old school librarian and an appearance as a newscaster in the always-satisfying Mornin' Mimai skit. Oh, and don't forget the props for holding his composure as a Walt Disney World cast member on the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, attempting to coach Nasim Pedrad's confused foreigner.

Other highlights: Kate McKinnon's egg-tossing Justin Bieber ("I thought my neighbor was a chicken, right? So I was returning his kids"), a jab at Jacqueline Bisset's strange Golden Globes appearance during Weekend Update and the reliable Beck Bennett-Kyle Mooney tag team in the short "I Know."

Drake - Started From The Bottom - SNL 1-18-14 by IdolxMuzic
214119442 by YardieGoals "SNL" returns next week with Bastille as the musical guest. Jonah Hill will host.

Singers like Kailash Kher, Sonu Nigam and Sunidhi Chauhan and composers such as Vishal Dadlani and Ehsaan Noorani have hailed Abhay Deols courageous outburst against music label T-Series for holding up the music release of his forthcoming film One By Two.

The actor-producer, who recently turned up with a black eye at a recent award ceremony, openly stated that T-Series has stalled the release of the music of his film One By Two as the music company wants him to get composer Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy to sign a clause first.

Several Indian musicians have lent their support to Abhay's effort in supporting the popular trio, who have composed the One By Two album.

Following Abhay's remonstration at the Life OK Screen Awards, celebrities took to Twitter to share their sentiments on the issue:

Sonu Nigam: The movie and music of One By Two deserves your mad support now all the more. You have to do it for the sake of justice and order.

Sunidhi Chauhan: Hats off to you Abhay Deol. I'm speechless at your stand. Respect. Always.

Kailash Kher: Appreciate Abhay Deol's stand, he had choice but he chose to save art and artistes from illegal contracts. Hope all actors and producers join this.

Shreya Ghoshal: Abhay Deol you are truly a brave heart! You are the first producer to speak up against the wrong. The entire music fraternity is with you.

Vishal Dadlani: Today, Abhay Deol has shown he is a man of principles and courage. He's won the admiration and thanks of the entire film music fraternity.

Ehsaan Noorani: Whatever happens whether the music releases or not One By Two film needs all your support people!

Alisha Chinai: Abhay Deol thanks a billion for supporting the music fraternity. No more illegal contracts for us. Boycott the music mafia!

Mahalakshmi Iyer: Abhay Deol, respect! As a young producer you have shown guts and gumption to take them on. The music fraternity will be eternally grateful!

Sophie Choudry: Abhay Deol, massive respect. May your courage be contagious!

Composers: Sajid-Wajid, Amal Malik and Devi Sri Prasad; Singers: Wajid, Shaan, Shreya Ghoshal, Shabab Sabri, Himesh Reshammiya, Keerthi Sagathia, Palak Muchhal, Altamash Faridi, Armaan Malik, Bhaven Dhanak, Brijesh Shandilya, Ujjayinee and Amal Malik

Rating: **

Jai Ho starring Salman Khan is an action-drama directed by Sohail Khan. It is said to be the biggest opener of 2014. Only time will tell if the viewers hail the movie or not.

The album has nine tracks, including two remixes, but the composers' efforts are nothing to write home about.

The album starts with Baki Sab First Class Hai, sung by Wajid. The song is good and relatable, but it's more like a speech given during a rally - the only difference is that it has music.

Next is Tere Naina Maar Hi Daalenge. It reminds one of Dagabaaz Re and Tere Mast Mast Do Nainsongs. There is obviously nothing wrong in it, but why the obsession with naina? Nevertheless Shaan, Shreya Ghoshal and Shabab Sabri have done a great job and the composers too create an effect by using table.

Photocopy, sung by Himesh Reshammiya, Keerthi Sagathia and Palak Muchhal, is the third song. Himesh Reshammiya's voice has once again created its magic in the song. It is a good dance number and will be a hit during the Navratri season.

Tumko To Aana Hi Tha is a slow number. Crooned by Armaan Malik, Marianne D'Cruz's and Altamash Faridi, it has Indian as well as western flavour, but there's no "wow" factor in it. People need to understand that romantic songs are not only about some lovey-dovey lines and slow music. The song lacks emotions.

For a change, Love You Till The End (House Mix) turns out to be nice and peppy. Armaan Malik went behind the mike to sing the song. The beats are groovy.

Naacho Re follows it. Sung by Ujjayinee, it is a mess. The listener will surely have the 'What the hell' expression after listening to the song.

The Jai Jai Jai Jai Ho title track is an effort by singers Wajid, Armaan Malik, Brijesh Shandliya and Amal Mallik. Its chance of wooing music lovers in urban India is however bleak and it will certainly not be accepted in rural areas too, although the beats are good.

A remix version of Photocopy by DJ Angel is next on the list. It is good to the ears. An apt song for festive season!

Baki Sab First Class Hai, a remix by DJ Angel, wraps up the album. The concept of creating a remix version of anything and everything should be avoided. There is nothing good about it and it is a waste of time and effort.

Beyonce Knowles-Carter has taken up the issue of gender inequality by writing an essay on it.

The 32-year old singer wrote the essay titled 'Gender Equality is a Myth' for 'The Shriver Report', a media initiative led by Maria Shriver that seeks women empowerment in US.

"We need to stop buying into the myth about gender equality. It isn't a reality yet. Today, women make up half of the US workforce, but the average working woman earns only 77 per cent of what the average working man makes.

"But unless women and men both say this is unacceptable, things will not change," Beyonce wrote.

Beyonce has also urged for working together to provide 100 per cent equal opportunities to women.

"Women are more than 50 per cent of the population and more than 50 per cent of voters. We must demand that we all receive 100 per cent of the opportunities," she wrote.

Beyonce has joined the list of celebrities like Jennifer Garner, Jada Pinkett Smith, Eva Longoria from the show world and LeBron James (basket-ball star) who have penned essays to support the cause.

Ashlee Simpson is engaged to get married to her actor beau Evan Ross.

The 29-year old singer got engaged during their Hawaii trip recently.

"My baby love and I are engaged! Hallelujah Hawaii!," she posted on Twitter. "The love of my life said yes!" Evan Ross tweeted and also shared a photo of himself and Ashlee.

The couple had first sparked dating rumours in July after they were seen holding hands on a night out in Los Angeles. This will be the second time the I Am Me singer will tie the knot.

She was previously married to Fall Out Boy bassist Pete Wentz from 2008 until 2011. They together have a five-year-old child
.

British rock band Coldplay frontman Chris Martin has reportedly spent a huge amount for one-of-a-kind design by famed street artist Banksy at a fundraiser for Haiti earthquake victims.

Martin bought a picture by street artist Banksy for 400,000 pounds at actor Sean Penn's Haiti Home Gala charity event on January 11, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

He was accompanied by his actress-wife Gwyneth Paltrow at the high-profile event held here.

As Lea Michele gets nearer and nearer to her debut album's March release date, she's giving fans another preview of what it will sound like. On Monday (January 13), she previewed the album's title track, "Louder."

The up-tempo anthem made its debut on Billboard's website ahead of its official release on January 14. Written by Colin Munroe, Jaden Michaels and Anne Preven, the song is all about finding strength and your voice. It's punctuated with a fist-pumping beat.

"But I just want to hear your voice/ Don't be afraid/ Why don't you scream a little louder/ Turn it up/ I know you can/ Come on and scream a little louder," she proclaims on the track's uplifting chorus.

The song is the third preview fans have heard off her March 4 album. Previously, the "Glee" star released the album's equally empowering lead single, "Cannonball," as well as the ballad "Battlefield." So far, the previews have shown off the emotional range of the release, which was in-part inspired by the death of her boyfriend and co-star Cory Monteith.

"I just really wanted something to give to my fans. I wanted to just give them something fun," Michele explained to MTV News late last year. "At the time, when I started making the record, I was in a wonderful place in my life. I had been living in L.A. for a while, 'Glee' was great and I had a wonderful boyfriend. I just wanted a fun record that people could kind of dance around in their room to and play for the summer.

"And then as it sort of progressed I realized that A., I'm a very emotional singer and B., I've always been very open with my fans. I'm a very open person. And it just so happens that these songs came [like 'Cannonball' and 'If You Say So'] that I connected to and I started writing stuff that was super personal to me," she added. "Eventually, I started feeling like I didn't feel comfortable singing a song that didn't mean something to me."

Pharrell Williams’ “Happy” (Back Lot) returned to the top of the U.K. singles chart yesterday (Sunday), as Ellie Goulding’s “Halcyon” (Polydor/Universal) started a second week at No. 1 on the artist album chart. “Now! That’s What I Call Music 86” (Sony Music CG/Virgin EMI/Universal) moved into its eighth straight week atop the compilation chart.

Williams’ single, which sold another 107,000 copies last week, according to the Official Charts Company, completed its climb to the summit two weeks ago before being nudged into runner-up spot by “Timber” (Mr.305/Polo Grounds/J/Sony) by Pitbull featuring Ke$ha. That now moves back to No. 2, with Avicii steady at No. 3 with “Hey Brother” (Positiva/PRMD/Universal), while their “True” album improved 9-7.

Jason Derulo’s “Trumpets” single (Warner Bros./Warner Music) held at No. 4, as two new entries on 3 Beat/All Around The World/Universal in last week’s top 20 both progressed into the top ten: “Million Pound Girl (Badder Than Bad)” by Fuse ODG, up 14-5, and “Control” by Matrix & Futurebound featuring Max Marshall, which jumped 18-7. “Drunk In Love” (Columbia/Sony) by Beyoncé featuring Jay Z climbed 27-10. 

That track’s parent album, “Beyoncé,” moved up another place to a new peak of No. 2 behind Goulding. Gary Barlow’s “Since I Saw You Last” (Polydor/Universal) slipped 2-3, while John Newman’s “Tribute” (Universal Island) and Bastille’s “Bad Blood” (Virgin/Universal) climbed a place each at Nos. 4 and 5.

London Grammar’s “If You Wait” (Metal & Dust), which debuted at No. 2 last September, moved back 11-10. Haim’s No. 1 of last October, “Days Are Gone” (Polydor/Universal), edged 13-11, Eminem’s “The Marshall Mathers LP 2” (Interscope/Universal) 15-14, The 1975’s self-titled Dirty Hit/Polydor/Universet set 20-15, Emeli Sandé’s perennial “Our Version Of Events” (Virgin/EMI) 19-16 and Imagine Dragons’ “Night Vision” (Interscope/Universal) 21-20.

It has all the hallmarks of a Hollywood thriller: Big Oil mines Canada's vast oil reserves upstream from a First Nation community, while one man, a rock legend, spearheads a legal fight to avert environmental catastrophe.

That rock legend is Neil Young, who on Sunday said Canada's leaders are ridding Alberta of its First Nation communities with its giant oil sands development.

"We are killing these people. The blood of these people are on modern Canada's hands. And it will be the result not of a slow thing, but a fast, horrific thing if this continues," Young said at a press conference, citing alarming environmental destruction.

Neil Young at Carnegie Hall: Live Review 

The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer was in Toronto to play the first of four Honor the Treaties benefit concerts as part of his 2014 tour to raise money for the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation (ACFN) legal defense fund.

The aim is to stop expanding oil sands mining by Shell Oil Canada on protected treaty lands.

"These people are not going to sit back and let Canada, the modern Canada, roll over them," Young said.

Development of Alberta's tar sands calls for a heavy crude oil called bitumen to be extracted from beneath pristine wilderness, with potentially dire consequences for local eco-systems.

The ACFN, based in Fort Chipewyan, Alberta, contends that oil sands development directly impacts the land on which they hunt, fish and trap, and so their culture and identity.

The First Nation community has asked Canada's federal court to review Ottawa's decision to allow Shell Oil to expand its Jackpine mine, which is on ACFN land protected by treaty agreements.

ACFN chief Allan Adam told the press conference that Ottawa's newly minted environmental assessment legislation, which expands Alberta's oilsands exploration, is out of control.

"We have a runaway train without a conductor controlling it. That will lead into something that will be catastrophic [to the environment]. So we have to get a grip on it," Adam urged.

Young, who reached the crest of rock stardom with songs like "Heart of Gold," "Old Man" and "Rockin' in the Free World," said the Canadian government was siding with Big Oil and against the First Nations by breaking treaty agreements.

"I see a government that is completely out of control. Money is No. 1. Integrity isn't even on the map," he said.

To fend off the ACFN's legal challenge, Ottawa has hired international PR firm FleishmannHillard to promote the tar sands and Canada's oil sector.

As in the U.S. where celebrities like Daryl Hannah, Brad Pitt, Robert Redford and Matt Damonlead the fight for ecological protections, environmental groups are turning to celebrities like Young to be green advocates.

The Honor the Treaties concerts in Toronto, Winnipeg, Regina and Calgary will help finance the ACFN lawsuit filed against Shell Oil for breaching contractual agreements signed over two open-pit-mining tar sands projects.

The ACFN does not oppose Alberta's oil sands development outright, and operates companies that service the province's energy sector centered in Fort McMurray. But the First Nation community wants oil sands development that protects treaty rights and traditional land uses.

"Until government and industry can prove to our nation that these areas can be developed in a way that is responsible, and that our rights will not be negated or molested by this development, we will continue to hold the line to stop development in those regions," ACFN communications director Eriel Deranger said at the press conference.

Young said he visited Alberta's oil sands development, driving around the region in an electric car, to witness the province's environmental destruction and its impact on the ACFN firsthand.

As part of his benefit concerts, Young will screen a 12-minute documentary by Peter Mettler,Petropolis, that shows an aerial perspective of the Alberta tar sands development.

"It is the most devastating thing you will ever see. It is the greediest, most destructive and disrespectful demonstration of something run amok that you will ever see," Young argued, likening the impact of the Canadian oil development on Fort McMurray to Hiroshima after the dropping of the atomic bomb.

Neil Young and Crazy Horse Cancel European Tour Dates

ACFN chief Adam said the First Nation will use the courts to resolve legal issues with the federal government and Shell Oil before considering alternative action.

"When all legal avenues are exhausted in more ways than one, who can hold a nation accountable when it says enough is enough and shuts down the highway," Adam said when asked what the ACFN will do if its legal challenge does not succeed.

Diana Krall is opening for Young during his Honor the Treaties concerts, to run through Jan. 19 with a final stop in Calgary, Alberta.

Kudos to Vanity Fair. The magazine unearthed a long-lost photograph that apparently depicts Elvis Presley (and possibly his hovering mother, Gladys) in 1948, standing on the street that divided the black and white sections of his home town of Tupelo, Mississippi. A few months after the photo was taken, his family fled for Memphis.

Elvis Presley's Billboard Chart Records

So is the picture the real deal? And what's its significance in the annals of Elvis history?

Alanna Nash, the prize-winning Presley expert whose books have revealed the startling secrets of the singer’s hard-partying “Memphis Mafia” cronies, the women who loved him, and Presley’s manager, Col. 

This Monday, Courtney Love will go to trial in a groundbreaking case.

The rock star will not only become the first celebrity to defend an allegedly defamatory tweet inside a U.S. courtroom, but she might have to address the wild and maybe uncontrollable way she's acted in the past.

She's being pursued by Rhonda Holmes, an attorney the star once hired to handle a fraud case against those managing the estate of Kurt Cobain, the late Nirvana frontman and Love's husband. Holmes is suing Love over a 2010 tweet that read in part, "I was fucking devestated [sic] when Rhonda J. Holmes esq. of san diego was bought off." (Love is also facing claims over a follow-up interview she gave to a reporter.)

Jury Deciding If Courtney Love Tweet is Defamatory 

The jury's tasks starts with figuring out whether those who follow Love on Twitter reasonably understood the statement to be about her former lawyer (and her law firm). 

Then, there's the issue of intent.

Love maintains that she meant to send a "DM" (private direct message) and accidently sent her message to the public via Twitter. Holmes is a limited-purpose public figure, so she'll have to demonstrate that Love acted with malice.

The rock star can pursue her "mistake" defense, but it could open up a wider inquiry into Love's larger behavior. This isn't the first time that Love has been sued over a tweet. Her daughter once recommended that Twitter ban her mother.

Love looked to prevent  her other tweets from coming up at the trial, but Judge Michael Johnson only granted the motion in part. Other lawsuits against Love will be excluded from the jury's ears. But the judge also decides, "The general rule is that except as permitted by statute, evidence of a person's character is not admissible to prove conduct on a specific occasion; However, evidence of conduct may be introduced to prove some relevant fact other than character or disposition, such as intent, knowledge or absence of mistake."

If Love's "mistake" defense fails, she's got another potential arrow to shoot down the defamation claim. She's also pursuing the defense that the tweet was substantially true. The judge is largely allowing the singer to introduce all sorts of evidence about the attorney-client relationship here.

Courtney Love Telling Her 'Story' in New Autobiography

Finally, even if Holmes is able to prevail against Love by showing the tweet was reasonably understood to communicate an untruth about the lawyer taking a bribe, there's the issue of damages. The plaintiff will be asking for great punitive damages because tweets by celebrities travel far and wide. Love, on the other hand, will attempt to show that the tweet caused her ex-attorney no professional harm.

Love is among those on a joint witness list that has been submitted. Others scheduled to give testimony are journalists, former Love assistants and economic and language experts versed in the medium of Twitter.