will i am
Will.I.Am Launches Dj Awards
Black Eyed Peas star will.i.am is launching the Data Awards next year (10) to pay tribute to the art of DJ-ing.
The I Gotta Feeling hitmaker will turn the spotlight on club DJs in an effort to honour their work at the inaugural ceremony on 30 January (10) - one night before the music industry's most prestigious awards ceremony, the Grammys.
Announcing the annual event at a press conference on Tuesday (01Dec09), will.i.am said, "There's a lot of things going on in music nowadays; record stores falling, the internet... One of the most important factors in this is that the DJs and artists are still very much active.
"During (Grammy) week we are celebrating and honouring the DJ by announcing the Data Awards and giving them the top awards. We're starting off small with four awards: Best DJ, Best DJ Solo/Group, Best Remix and Best Original Track. I'm really excited about that."
The Data Awards will coincide with will.i.am's new art exhibition, entitled Who Killed The Music?, and the rapper is turning the whole week of events into one big fundraiser by donating money from the sale of the artworks to two good causes - the Grammy Foundation and the star's own i am scholarship fund for cash-strapped students.
He is also teaming up with French DJ David Guetta to play a series of concerts in the lead-up to the two prizegivings - with all proceeds from the ticket sales benefiting his scholarship organisation.
Kelis Sign Up To Will I Am Label
In other news New mum Kelis has been given a huge career boost after signing to Black Eyed Peas star Will.I.Am's record label.
Kelis, who is currently in the middle of a messy divorce from rapper Nas, released a new song, called Acapella, online last week (ends27Nov09), suggesting plans for a comeback - and now she has announced an exciting new career move.
In a statement released on Tuesday (01Dec09), the Milkshake singer revealed she had signed to Interscope Records through will.i.am Music Group, and is working on new material with will.i.am, DJ Ammo and David Guetta, among others.
Kelis says, "2010 is around the corner and I can't wait to put out new music and spend time with real music fans on tour again."
The R&B star was dropped by Jive Records in 2007.
Snoop Dogg Records Navigation Directions
Rapper Snoop Dogg is the new voice of a satellite navigation system.
The hip-hop star will soon be helping lost fans find their way home after he recorded audio directions for TomTom's Global Positioning System (GPS).
On the driving instructions, Snoop can be heard advising motorists, "Keep left ahead, and you'll be bona fide" and "Turn around when possible and keep it 'G', ya d-i-g?"