Jay Z News

Today's Broadway Blogs on BroadwayWorld.com from Tuesday, November 24, 2009.

Fela!, the new Broadway musical based on the life and music of African composer and performer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, officially opens tonight, November 23, minus a few high profile celebrity producers. It was planned for Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Jay-Z to all be in attendance for Fela!'s opening night, but due Smith's oldest son acquiring a sports related injury, the Smiths are no longer able to attend. Jay-Z will still be attending the opening night festivities including a red carpet appearance and the after party.

The show was broadcast live from the NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE on SUNDAY, NOV. 22 (8:00-11:00 p.m., ET/PT) on ABC. For the third year, winners were determined by online voting at www.ama.abc.com, www.amavote.com and www.mycokerewards.com. Artists were honored in The categories of Pop/Rock, Country, Rap/Hip-Hop, Soul/R&B, Alternative, Adult Contemporary, Latin and Contemporary Inspirational.

Dick Clark productions President Orly Adelson announced this week that Jay-Z will perform at the 2009 American Music Awards along with a starry roster including Adam Lambert, Jennifer Lopez and many others. A 'special preview' first look will be presented on the film version of NINE during the broadcast as well.

dick clark productions President Orly Adelson announced today that Jay-Z will perform at the 2009 American Music Awards. This marks Jay-Z's second time performing on the American Music Awards. He has been nominated in the Rap/Hip-Hop category six times, including this year's nominations for Favorite Male Artist and Favorite Album. Jay-Z will join the previously announced Alicia Keys in a special collaborative act. They join an already outstanding lineup of artists announced at this week's AMA nominations press conference including The Black Eyed Peas, Jennifer Lopez and Adam Lambert. Additional performers and presenters will be announced in the coming weeks.

Erica Watson - 'big, bold and beautiful' actor, comedian, director and commentator for the Oxygen Network and BET - returns to her hometown Chicago with the solo show 'Fat Bitch!' This five-night only run is a funny yet thought-provoking look at how society's obsession with weight, race and class have formed the way the world views her shape, and includes her interactions with men, from the boardroom to the bedroom.

MotorCity Casino Hotel is proud to announce the Big Boi CD Release Event, with special guest Monica at Sound Board Saturday, December 12, 2009. Doors open at 10:00 p.m.

Mary J. Blige, Neil Diamond, Sugarland, Rob Thomas and Usher To Ring in the Holidays with TNT's Annual Music Concert CHRISTMAS IN WASHINGTON. The event will be hosted by George Lopez and premieres exclusively on TNT on Sunday, December 20, at 8 p.m. (ET/PT).

Shawn 'Jay-Z' Carter and Will & Jada Pinkett Smith have enthusiastically joined the producing team of Fela!, the new Broadway musical based on the life and music of African composer and performer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, marking the first Broadway production that these entertainment icons have presented.

Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter and Will & Jada Pinkett Smith have enthusiastically joined the producing team of Fela!, the new Broadway musical based on the life and music of African composer and performer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, marking the first Broadway production that these entertainment icons have presented.

Welcome to The Varley Factor, BroadwayWorld.com's newest ongoing blog series from Creative Director, Eddie Varley. Look for 'The Factor' to bring you Varley's unique brand of commentary on all things theatrical... Get ready Broadway!

The People's Choice Awards, presented annually to entertainers in the categories of music, film and television, are unique in that unlike its Oscar and Golden Globe counterparts, the nominees and winners are selected by the viewing and voting public, as opposed to a panel of industry peers.

Erica Watson - 'big, bold and beautiful' actor, comedian, director and commentator for the Oxygen Network and BET - returns to her hometown Chicago with the solo show 'Fat Bitch!' This five-night only run is a funny yet thought-provoking look at how society's obsession with weight, race and class have formed the way the world views her shape, and includes her interactions with men, from the boardroom to the bedroom.

Zebra Crossing Singapore raises the curtain for the Asian premiere of acclaimed composer and conductor Henry Mancini's VICTOR/VICTORIA at the Esplanade Theatre on November 9, 2009. It stars international jazz songstress Laura Fygi as Victor/Victoria, and Filipino theatre stalwart Jake Macapagal as King Marchan.

In the midst of his first college tour, promoting his latest #1 album The Blueprint 3 and his recently released video game sensation 'DJ Hero: Renegade Edition,' the unstoppable JAY-Z confirms North American tour dates for 2010's BP3 tour.

Erica Watson - 'big, bold and beautiful' actor, comedian, director and commentator for the Oxygen Network and BET - returns to her hometown Chicago with the solo show 'Fat Bitch!' This five-night only run is a funny yet thought-provoking look at how society's obsession with weight, race and class have formed the way the world views her shape, and includes her interactions with men, from the boardroom to the bedroom.

The New York Times is reporting that producers are considering changing the opening night of the new Broadway musical FELA! in order to accommodate the schedules of contributing celebrities, including rapper Jay-Z and movie and television stars Will and Jada Pinckett Smith. Producers want to include Jay-Z and the Smiths in order to increase publicity for the show and to allow them to be recognized for their investment.

String quartet with a modernist pulse, members of the New York- and Berlin-based Osso have built dramatic arrangements in collaboration with an array of artists and genres, including Jay-Z, Alice and Ravi Coltrane, The New Pornographers, Antony and the Johnsons, The Polyphonic Spree, The National, Devotchka and Kanye West. Their interpretation of Sufjan Stevens' eccentric electronica album Enjoy Your Rabbit -each song named for a year of the Chinese zodiac-recomposes computer keystrokes into rhythmic classical arrangements, bridging the drama of indie rock and the nuance of chamber harmonies. The result is Run Rabbit Run-arranged by Stevens expressly for Osso-to be released on Asthmatic Kitty Records October 6.

String quartet with a modernist pulse, members of the New York- and Berlin-based Osso have built dramatic arrangements in collaboration with an array of artists and genres, including Jay-Z, Alice and Ravi Coltrane, The New Pornographers, Antony and the Johnsons, The Polyphonic Spree, The National, Devotchka and Kanye West.

dick clark productions President Orly Adelson announced today that Jay-Z will perform at the 2009 American Music Awards. This marks Jay-Z's second time performing on the American Music Awards. He has been nominated in the Rap/Hip-Hop category six times, including this year's nominations for Favorite Male Artist and Favorite Album. Jay-Z will join the previously announced Alicia Keys in a special collaborative act. They join an already outstanding lineup of artists announced at this week's AMA nominations press conference including The Black Eyed Peas, Jennifer Lopez and Adam Lambert. Additional performers and presenters will be announced in the coming weeks.