Jay-Z says he’s glad the song is raising money for victims of the earthquake in Haiti, but the remake just doesn’t hold up to the original.

HOTT NEWS!

Can’t fault the man … for voicing his opinion!

The 25th anniversary remake of “We Are the World” that debuted at the Olympic opening ceremonies Friday already has its share of critics, and one of them is none other than the biggest name in hip-hop.

At the 2 Kings dinner held Saturday in Dallas as part of the NBA All-Star weekend, JAY told MTVnews.com that he appreciates what producers Lionel Richie and Quincy Jones were trying to do with the remake, but it never stood a chance at matching the original.

“I know everybody is gonna take this wrong: ‘We Are the World,’ I love it, and I understand the point and think it’s great. But I think ‘We Are the World’ is like [Michael Jackson's] ‘Thriller’ to me. I don’t ever wanna see it touched,” he said. “I’m a fan of music. I know the plight and everything that’s going on in Haiti. I applaud the efforts: [Millions have been raised] through text [donations] to Haiti.

“So I appreciate the efforts and everything, but ‘We are the World’ is [musically] untouchable like ‘Thriller’ is untouchable. Some things are just untouchable. It was a valiant effort, but for me, it’s gonna be untouchable.”

Many of the biggest names in music contributed to the benefit single, and they invariably gave glowing quotes about the song’s recording process. But critics haven’t been so kind to the finished product. The New York Times gave a mostly negative review, noting that, “‘We Are the World 25 for Haiti’ has all the pitfalls of a Hollywood remake. It whipsaws between attempting a shot-for-shot homage to the original and giving it some new twists.”

Jay-Z’s take? They should have just written a new song.

“As everyone knows, I have tremendous respect for Quincy Jones. Of course, I think he’s genius, as everyone else does. [But] I think it’s time for us to make a new [song]. I tried to do that with ‘Stranded,’ the song Jay, Rihanna and U2’s Bono and the Edge premiered at the ‘Hope for Haiti Now’ telethon]. I didn’t try to make ‘We Are the World,’ but I tried to make our take on how we felt.”

The announcement comes on the heels of rumors that Jay-Z might also be performing at another giant music festival, Bonnaroo.

HOTT NEWS!

It’s looking like 2010 will be another big year for JAY-Z. It was announced Tuesday that the rap superstar will take his act to the eclectic rock audience of the annual Coachella festival this year, where he’ll be headlining the first day of the giant three-day desert music and art fest.

Jay’s in good company with Muse and the Gorillaz headlining days two and three respectively. The announcement comes on the heels of rumors that Jay-Z might also be performing at another giant music festival, Bonnaroo. The two major festival spots, with one on the West Coast and the other on the East, would round out his whirlwind BP3 tour that has Jay-Z playing some of the biggest venues in the United States.

The 2010 festival will mark Coachella’s 10-year anniversary. Since it began in 2000, Coachella has grown into a major event every year. Previous headliners include Madonna, Paul McCartney and Radiohead.

HOTT MUSIC VIDEO!

“On To The Next One”

The couple, who married in April 2008, are to take on both of their respective last names.

HOTT GOSSIP!

But should we care!?!

The couple, who married in April 2008, are to take on both of their respective surnames.

Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, will now be known as Shawn Knowles-Carter, while Beyonce is to become Beyonce Knowles-Carter.
A source told the Daily Star newspaper, “They want to keep Knowles because Beyonce’s parents didn’t have any sons and they’re keen to keep the name going strong, especially if they don’t produce any children themselves.”

Earlier this week, the Knowles family suffered a blow when it was announced that Beyonce’s parents Tina and Mathew would be divorcing after 29 years of marriage.

In October, rumors surfaced that Mathew may have been unfaithful, with a paternity suit filed by Alexandra Wright claiming he was the father of her unborn child – an allegation he has denied.

However, in a statement the estranged couple claimed that the divorce would not be “an ugly, messy fight” and they would continue working together amicably.

HOTT MUSIC VIDEO!

“Young Forever”

“Jay-Z is confirmed as one of the key performers. In weak years there have been problems securing the big international artists.“

HOTT NEWS!

Cool opportunity!

JAY-Z is slated to perform at next year’s BRIT Awards, and the “Empire State of Mind” rapper will perform a medley of his biggest hits and a duet with a surprise artist — rumored to be wife Beyonce Knowles, Alicia Keys or Coldplay frontman Chris Martin. We pick all 3!

A source told Britain’s The Sun newspaper: “Jay-Z is confirmed as one of the key performers. In weak years there have been problems securing the big international artists. But knowing Jay-Z was there will help to secure other big acts.”

It has already been revealed “Bodies” star Robbie Williams will close the awards show after being receiving Outstanding Contribution To Music prize, for his work with Take That and as a solo star. Robbie has already won more BRITs than any other artist and will be presented his 16th honor at the event which takes place at London’s Earls Court Exhibition Centre on February 16, 2010.

The rapper’s album ‘Blueprint’ came in at the 22nd spot, while The Strokes’ ‘This This It’ topped the entire list.

HOTT NEWS!

Jigga! My N*gga!

JAY-Z’s album Blueprint made it on music magazine NME’s list of the top 50 albums of the decade, coming in at 22 — which is no small feat, considering there’s just a few albums that get released in a 10-year span. Rockers The Strokes’ Is This It topped the entire list. The results were compiled from votes from record producers, label execs and musicians, including members of Radiohead and Arctic Monkeys, who both rank highly.

Troubled rocker Pete Doherty saw three of his albums make the list, with his former band The Libertines coming in second place with their debut effort Up The Bracket. The group’s second, and final, self-titled release was placed at number 24, while his other band Babyshambles saw their debut record Down In Albion achieve 35th place.

NME Editor Krissi Murison said: “This is the definitive word on the greatest albums of the ‘00s –  as voted for by everyone who helped make music brilliant this decade.”

Veteran rockers Primal Scream came in third place with Xtrmntr, while Arctic Monkeys’ debut album Whatever People Say I am, That’s What I’m Not was fourth and Fever To Tell by group Yeah Yeah Yeahs came fourth. The “Maps” hitmakers were one of 6 to have two LPs make the list, with Show Your Bones placed at 32.

In addition to Yeah Yeah Yeahs and The Libertines, Radiohead, The White Stripes, Arcade Fire and The Streets all saw two records make it into the top 50. The best represented year of the decade was 2002, with a total of 8 albums released in the year placed in the list.

NME magazine’s top 50 albums of the decade:

1. The Strokes – Is This It
2. The Libertines – Up The Bracket
3. Primal Scream – Xtrmntr
4. Arctic Monkeys – Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not
5. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Fever To Tell
6. PJ Harvey – Stories From the City, Stories From the Sea
7. Arcade Fire – Funeral
8. Interpol – Turn On The Bright Lights
9. The Streets – Original Pirate Material
10. Radiohead – In Rainbows
11. At The Drive In – Relationship Of Command
12. LCD Soundsystem – The Sound Of Silver
13. The Shins – Wincing The Night Away
14. Radiohead – Kid A
15. Queens Of The Stone Age – Songs For The Deaf
16. The Streets – A Grand Don’t Come For Free
17. Sufjan Stevens – Illinoise
18. The White Stripes – Elephant
19. The White Stripes – White Blood Cells
20. Blur – Think Tank
21. The Coral – The Coral
22. Jay-Z – The Blueprint
23. Klaxons – Myths Of The Near Future
24. The Libertines – The Libertines
25. Rapture – Echoes
26. Dizzee Rascal – Boy in Da Corner
27. Amy Winehouse – Back To Black
28. Johnny Cash – Man Comes Around’
29. Super Furry Animals – Rings Around The World
30. Elbow – Asleep In The Back
31. Bright Eyes – I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning
32. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Show Your Bones
33. Arcade Fire – Neon Bible
34. Grandaddy – The Sophtware Slump
35. Babyshambles – Down In Albion
36. Spirtualized – Let it Come Down
37. The Knife – Silent Shout
38. Bloc Party – Silent Alarm
39. Crystal Castles – Crystal Castles
40. Ryan Adams – Gold
41. Wild Beasts – Two Dancers
42. Vampire Weekend – Vampire Weekend
43. Wilco – Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
44. Outkast – Loveboxxx/The Love Below
45. Avalanches – Since I Left You
46. Delgados – The Great Eastern
47. Brendan Benson – Lapalco
48. Walkmen – Bows and Arrows
49. Muse – Absolution
50. MIA – Arular

HOTT BEEF!

BEANIE SIEGEL & 50 CENT release new Jay-Z diss track.

“Go Off”

The new tracks were written in the wake of her assault by ex Chris Brown, so Rihanna has some butterflies in her stomach.

HOTT NEWS!

As it will never hurt record sales!

RIHANNA will release her new album Rated R later this month, and she’ll debut a slightly darker side of her personality on the latest tracks, since many of the songs were written in the aftermath of the Chris Brown assault. Needless to say, she has some butterflies in her stomach about performing the new material. She said:

There are a lot of butterflies, a lot of excitement. I’m anxious. Like, I can’t wait. But you’re always nervous, because you’re about to go do something big. It’s a new thing, a new era. But I’m not scared. I’m just really excited. I just can’t wait to start.

My first time performing the songs was on Sunday night in Los Angeles with Jay-Z. We did ‘Run This Town’ and ‘Hard,’ and I kept thinking, ‘Why the hell am I so nervous?’ And I couldn’t figure it out. But then I knew why: It was the first time performing one of my new songs.

Marking her new era, Rihanna looked radiant when she stepped out in New York on Monday night to accept a Woman of the Year award. The hitmaker was one of several high-profile females – including author Maya Angelou, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s wife Maria Shriver, designer Stella McCartney, tennis star Serena Williams and comedienne Amy Poehler – honored by Glamour magazine.

First Lady Michelle Obama was given an award of special recognition for bringing the importance of mentoring to the forefront. The honorees are chosen by a board of former winners, including Jennifer Lopez, and awards were presented at a special ceremony at Carnegie Hall.`

HOTT MUSIC VIDEO!

“Snoop State Of Mind“

HOTT BEEF!

Dame Dash Speaks On Jay-Z And Beanie Siegel Beef!

HOTT BEEF!

50 Cent Speaks On Jay-Z and Beanie Siegel Beef

HOTT BEEF!

“Average Cat” [Jay-Z Diss]

HOTT DAMN!

Maybe BEYONCE should’ve tried giving her a nice smack! … LOL!

HOTT BEEFS!

50 CENT calls JAY-Z “The coolest punk in hip-hop” and calls KANYE gay.

and then challenges him to a rap battle … WOW-SERS! …

HOTT VLOG!

Crack is whack!!! Sort of like Stephon’s rhymes!

Stephon Marbury Demands Apology From Jay-Z

“Watching him is amazing, he can really move.”

HOTT NEWS!

SAY WHAT!?!

JAY-Z is looking to limber up. He says he is jealous of Coldplay singer Chris Martin’s smooth moves and flexibility on stage. The “99 Problems” rapper might even take up yoga. The hip-hop star, who is good friends with Chris and his wife Gwyneth Paltrow, said:

I try and work out four times a week, cardio, weights, push ups, pull ups, but I haven’t for a month because of vacation and touring. Chris hasn’t tried to get me to do yoga yet but I am close to doing it. I’m envious of what he can do on stage. Watching him is amazing, he can really move. I want to be able to move like that, get my leg behind my ear, things like
that.

The rapper is married to singer Beyonce Knowles, who also knows what it’s like to spend most of her time away from home. Jay-Z says he enjoys life on the road but admits he misses the little things about being at home. He added: “I miss my bed, the comfort of your own bed, there’s nothing like it. I only trust my own sheets. I don’t take my own with me though.”

HOTT BEEFS!

This tiff isn’t probably as bad as everyone tries to make it to be!

JAY-Z responds to the so-called beef with T-PAIN.

Jay-Z‘s Friday concert was meant to raise money for the widows and orphans of New York City cops and firefighters who died in the line of duty, but scalpers are selling tickets online (originally $54.50) for up to $45,000.

HOTT NEWS!

Jigga’s putting suckas on violation!

JAY-Z has deliberately kept ticket prices for his Friday concert at Madison Square Garden low at $54.50, since the show is meant to benefit the widows and orphans of New York City cops and firefighters who died in the line of duty. That’s why he was furious when all 20,000 tickets sold out in just moments and started appearing on the Web for $200, $3,000 and even up to $45,000 each on one site.

The rapper said in a statement:

We are truly disheartened that certain individuals would choose to benefit from what is meant to be a 100% charitable event. We do not support any profits made from reselling any ticket that was meant to be purchased by honest fans.

Tickets were consciously made available for sale as close to the concert date as possible to avoid traditional scalping.

Organizers of the concert had hoped to raise more than $750,000 for the widows’ and children’s fund, but clearly this isn’t quite what they had in mind. Plenty of fans told the New York Daily News that they had tried to buy tickets for the show, but no affordable ones were left available even early on in the ticket sales. The concert will air on the Fuse network for those who still want to see it, but it’s still not nearly as cool as seeing the “special guests” Jay-Z was lining up live.

HOTT MUSIC VIDEO!

“Run This Town”