Week’s End Digest: Bamboozle 2012, Katy Perry, U2, Rap to Jail, Mariah Carey
News you can really use. This ‘Week’s End Digest’ features reports on Bamboozle’s 2011 line-up, Katy Perry’s return to #1, U2’s latest ‘Spiderman’ trouble, rap star drama, Mariah’s baby shower
So much can happen in a week. So we’ve decided to give you the rundown on the lowdown…in one digestible digest.
Bamboozle 2011 Announces Headliners Lil Wayne, Bruno Mars
Seriously…the big rock fest is putting hip-hop and doo-wop first. Amazing. Lil Wayne and Bruno Mars are expected to headline next year’s Bamboozle music festival (Apr. 29-May 1) at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. Mötley Crüe, Taking Back Sunday, Waka Flocka Flame and Wiz Khalifa are also on the program. More performers are expected to headline the festival, but will be announced at a later date. For more details on the three-day fest, go to www.thebamboozle.com.
Katy Perry Triumphs Again on Hot 100 With “Firework”
There’s no stopping the Katy train. This week, Katy Perry’s third single from Teenage Dream holds tight to the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 for a second week. It’s been a tough couple of months for most singles hoping to retain consecutive #1’s, but it hasn’t been impossible. “Like a G6,” by Far*East Movement, achieved the feat on October 30 and repeated it again on November 6. Analysts are predicting Rihanna will make her ascension back to No. 1 with “What’s My Name?” featuring Drake. Only time will reveal.
U2’s ‘Spiderman: The Musical’ Delayed Again
In what would be the most expensive Broadway production in history, “Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark” may also be the most delayed production in Broadway history. For the second time, the beefed-up stageplay containing new music exclusively written by U2 is putting a pause on the launch date. The original opening was January 11. Now it’s been pushed back to February 7. Lead producer Michael Cohl said in a statement: “Due to some unforeseeable setbacks, most notably the injury of a principal cast member, it has become clear that we need to give the team more time to fully execute their vision.” The superhero play based on the beloved Marvel Comics’ champion is reported to cost well over $65 million in costs. In the meantime, all the waiting has made U2 a bit more pressured to work on their upcoming albums. New releases by the rock band are expected on 2012.
Handful of Rap Stars Looking at Jail Time
Another bad week for hip-hop. Waka Flocka Flame, the Georgia rapper who ‘s enjoying much success with the #2 R&B hit “No Hands,” made headlines when TMZ reported that his Georgia home was raided on Dec. 16. Waka Flocka’s mother and manager, Debra Antney, told TMZ that her son wasn’t there but that if he doesn’t show up soon, cops will issue an arrest warrant. Another rap star, Gucci Mane, was cuffed after authorities probed the rap star in being involved in a prostitution operation.
Not to forget DMX making headlines this week. He was sentenced to one year in prison by an Arizona judge on Thursday after pleading guilty to violating his probation by drinking alcohol. He was denied bail when arrested but will receive credit for the 113 days he served while awaiting trial.
Ja Rule, another rap head from the past, plead guilty in New York to attempted criminal possession of a weapon and now faces serious prison time. The case surrounds a traffic stop from July 2007. Police say they found a loaded semiautomatic gun in a rear door of the $250,000-plus car after it was stopped for speeding. In court Monday, Ja Rule was promised a two-year prison sentence. He’s free until sentencing, on a date yet to be set. He’s due in court Feb. 9 for an update.
Mariah Carey Expecting Double
Mariah Carey and her hubby actor Nick Cannon are expecting twins. Cannon, on his radio show, told his listeners about the big news and revealed that Carey told President Barack Obama and the first lady first. Mariah Carey, recently seen in her Christmas TV special ‘Merry Christmas II You’, will be performing this Friday on TNT’s Christmas at Washington. The show will be hosted by Ellen DeGeneres. More details on the holiday special here.
WEEK’S END DIGEST is a weekly roundup of current events and headlines that involves the music industry. Although HiFi Magazine reports news throughout the week, the summaries compiled for the Week’s End Digest column are usually deemed as being stories “bubbling under the radar.”
