June 2009 Archives

"Official Vodka of Summer(TM)" and Diddy Celebrate Military Service with an Invitation to the Summer's Most Exclusive Party.

CIROC Ultra Premium Vodka, the "Official Vodka of Summer," and Sean "Diddy" Combs today have invited Tanya Vinson of the United States Air Force to serve as Diddy's personal guest as he celebrates our nation's independence during his world-famous White Party on July 4, 2009 in Los Angeles, California, which this year is co-hosted by 'Malaria No More,' a non-profit, non-governmental organization determined to end the malaria crisis in Africa.

As a sponsor of the event, CIROC Vodka launched a program in April to honor several American service men and women with entry to this exclusive event. The grand prize winner, Tanya Vinson, has received the ultimate CIROC White Party experience for two, including round trip airfare, hotel accommodations, and transportation, in recognition of her outstanding commitment to the armed forces.

"As we celebrate Independence Day at this year's White Party, it's only fitting that we show our gratitude for the heroic men and women who protect our freedom every day," said Combs, who entered into a strategic marketing alliance with the ultra-premium spirit more than one year ago. "I am proud to honor our military by personally hosting Tanya at my Fourth of July White Party."

A staple on the celebrity party circuit, Diddy's White Party is revered as one of the most sophisticated and stylish events of the year. Although traditionally held at the end of summer, this year's fete - themed 'We Are Family' - will occur on Independence Day in honor of our nation's independence and the historic presidential election.

Ms. Vinson, a recruiter in the United States Air Force, holds what has become one of the toughest jobs in the military. As one of the faces for this branch of service, she is tasked with replenishing the ranks of our military during one of the most challenging times in our nation's history.

The maker's of CIROC Vodka would like to remind all consumers to celebrate life responsibly this Fourth of July. Use a designated a driver. Those without a designated driver can text "DRIVESAFE" to 44264 from their wireless devices to receive taxi information in their area.

SOURCE Diageo

First came the emancipation, then came energy and power, and now comes MEMOIRS OF AN IMPERFECT ANGEL, the new album by international superstar Mariah Carey, scheduled to arrive on August 25th. The first new single pick from MEMOIRS is "Obsessed," which blasts out to radio today, Tuesday, June 16th. The video for "Obsessed" will be directed by Brett Ratner. "Obsessed" was written and produced by Mariah, The-Dream and Tricky Stewart, who are responsible for the majority of tracks on the new album. MEMOIRS was executive-produced by Antonio "L.A." Reid.

"The 1st single from my new album MEMOIRS OF AN IMPERFECT ANGEL is called 'Obsessed' and will be at radio next Tuesday. I'm a lil' exc ... Seriously, this is one of my favorite songs ever. I love the whole album. I'm completely immersed in it. I can't wait for you to hear it. LY"   - Mariah Carey, on Twitter

MEMOIRS OF AN IMPERFECT ANGEL, the 12th studio album of Mariah's career, is the eagerly anticipated follow-up to her RIAA platinum-selling album E=MC(2) (released April 15, 2008), and her worldwide 10 million selling The Emancipation Of Mimi (released April 12, 2005). Both were Soundscan #1 debut albums that made chart history for Mariah in the U.S. and numerous territories around the globe.

The Emancipation Of Mimi generated three Grammy awards (including Best Contemporary R&B Album), two #1 singles, and countless more honors during its 18-month chart stay. The album debuted at #1 on first week sales of 404,000 copies, Mariah's highest first week sales total (until E=MC(2)). Soundscan's biggest-selling album of 2005, Mimi featured "We Belong Together" (Grammy winner for Best Female R&B Vocal and Best R&B Song) and "Don't Forget About Us," Mariah's 16th and 17th #1 career singles respectively. They tied one of the most enduring chart records in Billboard Hot 100 history, Elvis Presley's 17 #1's.

Three years later, E=MC(2) debuted at #1 on first week sales of 463,000 copies, which now stands as the highest first week sales total of Mariah's career. The album's success brought total sales of Mariah's albums, singles and videos to more than 160 million worldwide, distancing her even further from the pack as the top-selling female recording artist in history.

E=MC(2) spun off four singles: "Touch My Body," "Bye Bye," "I'll Be Lovin' U Long Time," and "I Stay In Love." Of these, "Touch My Body" made history when it became Mariah's 18th #1 Hot 100 hit, thus surpassing Elvis Presley. "Touch My Body"'s two weeks at the top also marked Mariah's 78th and 79th cumulative career weeks at #1, which tied Elvis' long-standing all-time high of 79 weeks at #1, as calculated in Billboard.com. At the same time, Mariah is now positioned as the only active recording artist in the 50 years of the Hot 100 (which began in 1958) with the potential to surpass the Beatles' all-time high of 20 #1 hits.

SOURCE The Island Def Jam Music Group

American Idol season 8 runner-up Adam Lambert has been signed to 19 Recordings and licensed to RCA Records. He is preparing to start work on his debut album which is due for release in fall 2009.

"To find a talent as exceptional as Adam Lambert is a rare and special event," says Simon Fuller, Creator and Executive Producer of American Idol and Founder & CEO of 19 Entertainment. "I am thrilled that 'American Idol' was the platform for the world to discover this brilliant young man. He is unique and unforgettable and a certain star of tomorrow."

"There are no longer any rules in terms of where the world's next superstars may come from," says Barry Weiss, Chairman & CEO RCA/JIVE Label Group. "We are thrilled to be getting involved with Adam Lambert as we all at RCA Records believe he is one of those rare, future global stars."

"I'm thrilled that we've come to a creative and collaborative partnership and look forward to developing a really exciting album," says Lambert. "We are 100% on the same page and are all anxiously awaiting the start of the recordings. It's going to be ridiculous! Get Ready!!!"

27-year-old Lambert, who hails originally from San Diego, CA, had 4 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 chart earlier this summer. With his masterful interpretation of "Mad World" leading the way, he also charted with "No Boundaries", "A Change Is Gonna Come" and "One."

Lambert, will be recording his album over the summer while on the road with the American Idol's Live tour. The tour kicks off July 5th in Portland, OR and culminates on September 15th in Manchester, NH.

SOURCE RCA Music Group

Taped From The Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), Howard Gilman Opera House in Brooklyn, New York

"30 Rock's" Tracy Morgan Returns as Host for the Third Time to Commemorate One of the Greatest Record Labels of Hip Hop

Back for its sixth year saluting the best in hip hop, VH1's Hip Hop Honors 2009 will celebrate the achievements of one of hip hop's greatest brands -- Def Jam Records. The music event will tape from the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) Howard Gilman Opera House in Brooklyn, New York, and air on VH1 on Tuesday, October 13 at 9:00 PM ET/PT.

VH1's Hip Hop Honors 2009 celebrates the 25th Anniversary of Def Jam in a show filled with the stars of this venerable label, as well as funny, painful and inspiring stories from its most renowned creators. Hosting for the third time is "'30 Rock's" Tracy Morgan. This year, the music, the influence and the artists from Def Jam's history past and present will be recognized through performances in collaboration with some of today's hottest talent. Generations of hip hop will bridge the gap for one exceptional night to set it off with the original style and flavor that sparked and inspired the evolution of this now global music phenomenon. Previous celebrations have honored hip hop luminaries who broke new ground and propelled the genre into the true cultural phenomenon that it has become. Last year's honorees included Cypress Hill, De La Soul, Naughty by Nature, Slick Rick and Too $hort. Additional talent will be announced as it is confirmed.

VH1's Hip Hop Honors 2009 is the first time that the show has honored a record label. For 25 years, Def Jam created the stars that pushed hip hop culture forward, including LL Cool J, Public Enemy, Jay Z, Kanye West, Slick Rick, Rick Ross and Rihanna. The men behind the scenes are as legendary as its artists, including Rick Rubin, Russell Simmons, Lyor Cohen, Kevin Liles and LA Reid. The Def Jam brand didn't just innovate in music, it also launched a breakthrough comedy show (Def Comedy Jam), a dynamic spoken-word showcase (Def Poetry Jam), and set trends in fashion, film and advertising. Def Jam led a cultural movement that changed the world.

"It is impossible to pay tribute to the best in hip hop without recognizing Def Jam Records. Throughout the years VH1 has honored numerous artists from the Def Jam label, but due to the magnificent impact that Def Jam as a company has made on not only hip hop culture but pop culture as a whole, we thought they definitely deserved the opportunity to be honored," says Lee Rolontz, EVP of Music Production.

Performances and other video elements from "VH1 Hip Hop Honors 2009" will be available on VH1.com and VH1 Mobile leading up to and following the on-air premiere of the show. Honoree profiles, exclusive online programming, show information and more will be available on VH1.com this summer.

"VH1 Hip Hop Honors 2009" is executive produced by Lee Rolontz for VH1 and Jac Benson for blacjac Entertainment. Louis J. Horvitz will direct. Nelson George and Fab 5 Freddie are co-executive producers.

*All times ET/PT

VH1 connects viewers to the music, artists and pop culture that matter to them most with TV series, specials, live events, exclusive online content and public affairs initiatives. VH1 is available in 95 million households in the U.S. VH1 also has an array of digital channels and services including VH1Classic, VH1 Soul, VH1 Mobile, VH1Games and extensive broadband video on VH1.com. Connect with VH1 at VH1.com.

Source: VH1