Usher is putting the finishing touches on his 7th studio album, Looking For Myself, due June 12. Get deets about the upcoming LP inside……
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Usher just dropped an intense video for his Diplo-produced single, ‘Climax.’ The R&B superstar initially released the song on Valentine’s Day as a gift to his 3 million followers Continue reading
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R&B superstar Usher sent a Valentine’s Day shout out to his 3 million followers on Twitter and dedicated his new song ‘Climax’ to all the lovers Continue reading
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Usher‘s filing some more ‘Papers.’ Ex-wife Tameka Raymond says claimed that Usher is a bad parent, endangering their children and refusing to turn them over to her when required — but the R&B superstar and Justin Bieber mentor is fighting back against her claims in court.
Last month, Tameka Raymond filed a petition against Usher to have sole custody of their two kids, Usher V and Naviyd Raymond, claiming that the ‘Without You‘ singer repeatedly violated their agreement as co-parents under their divorce decree.
Tameka claimed that Usher compromised their children’s safety, failed to obtain her permission to travel with the kids outside of the state and denied her have custody of the children during Christmas 2010 and on other occasions. Oh, did we mention she also wants more child support payments because of Usher’s “substantial change in income” (likely spawned from his megahit with David Guetta and all the cash Bieber rakes in), and complained that he closed her Saks credit card account? We ain’t sayin’ she’s a gold digger…
Now, TMZ reports that Usher didn’t take the allegations lightly. He is firing back at Tameka through his lawyers. Usher filed a response to his ex’s claims. Usher’s petition rejected all of Tameka’s claims as completely false and baseless, from his attacks on his parenting to his allegedly closing her Saks account. The ex-couple currently has joint custody of their two boys, Usher V and Naviyd Raymond, and it appears that Usher wants it to stay this way.
This isn’t Usher’s only legal headache. In September, Usher was served with a suit claiming possible plagiarism on his 2004 hit ‘Burn.’ Here’s hoping all of these matters get settled swiftly and justly so Usher can go back to enjoying his time with his tots.
Rihanna’s "LOUD" concert was the highest grossing Hip-Hop/R&B tour for the 2011 year, taking in over $ 90 million dollars. Come inside to find out how tours from Usher, Sade, and Kanye West/Jay-Z fared inside…..
According to POLLSTAR, which is well known for ranking the Top 25 Worldwide Tours for 2011, Rihanna is the Queen of the R&B Pack with $ 90M in ticket sales. She wrapped up another tour and went on her LOUD tour for 6 months all this year.
U2 was the #1 grossing act with $ 231M and youngin’ Taylor Swift grossed over $ 104M. While these aren’t the amounts the celebs get to take home themselves, they definitely get a hefty chunk of it after their crews, management and third party promo companies are all paid.
Sade brought in $ 83 million dollars, followed by Usher with $ 59M and The Throne (which only toured a little over 2 months) with $ 48M.
Congrats to all the big money makers!
See the full list here:
Tons of YBF celebs are down in Miami for Art Basel and the parties are on and popping. See pics of Rocsi, Teairra Marie and Gabrielle Union celebrating Rico Love’s birthday and Diddy partying with Mama Combs at the launch party Culo inside….
Hit-making producer Rico Love celebrated his 29th birthday at Vic & Angelo’s Coal Oven Enoteca in South Beach last night with a swanky party hosted by Usher, Mary J. Blige and Diddy.
During the dinner, Usher made a heartful speech saying,
“I have something very special to give Rico tonight, and I’m glad you’re all here tonight to share it with me."
He then took out his Grammy for Best Male R&B Artist and presented it to Rico.
“This is one of many, but I just wanted to say how my successes are your successes. Without him, I wouldn’t have completed this journey, so I wanted to present this to you as a good friend."
And how can you top a present like that?
The room was filled with fab YBF chicks like Melanie Fiona, Rocsi and Gabrielle Union.
Gabrielle later posed with music exec Steve Rifkind.
Gabby also chatted with Juwan and Jenine Wardally Howard and Deborah Cox.
Teairra Marie, who’s signed to Rico’s record label, looked hot in this sexy sheer and sparkly number. She was spotted with Sylvia Rhone.
Then Teairra and Rico posed with Cherlise, who’s also signed to Rico’s Division1 label.
Yelawolf and Chris Bosh also came out to toast Rico.
Then Yelawolf partied with Deborah Cox.
Fat Joe’s wife Lorena Cartagena attended with Robin Cartagena.
And across the room, Diddy, who also co-hosted, was spotted kicking it with his former Uptown MCA boss Andre Harrell and Irv Gotti.
Meanwhile, Maino hung out with Cee Lo Green.
And later, Cee Lo got a few smooches from Melanie Fiona.
Before his guests left, Rico said to everyone,
“I want to thank you all for being here with me on this special day. I wouldn’t have made it this far without each and every one of you.”
Also in Miami…….
Sean "Diddy" Combs left Rico’s party and rushed over to Mr. Chows’ where he threw a launch party for the artsy book Culo By Mazzucco. And he dined with Mama Combs.
Then Robin Thicke and Will Smith both came through the party to show some love.
Pharrell also attended and he rocked his own BBC gear.
And Chris Bosh brought out with his wife Adrienne who was glowing with a baby bump we have still yet to see.
Photos via WireImage/Nunuez/Walker
Actor LL Cool J took center stage last night, hosting the 2012 GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live concert, with a little help from Nicki Minaj and Katy Perry. The trio introduced viewers to performances by Rihanna, Usher and Ludacris while revealing that Kanye West leads the 2012 pack of nominees with 7 nods! Watch the performances and see pics inside….
Last night, tons of celebs and music lovers turned out for The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!! – Show at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live. And in between exciting performances by Rihanna, Usher and Ludacris, LL Cool J and Nicki revealed the 2012 Grammy nominees.
Rapper Kanye West leads the pack garnering 7 nods. Among his most notable nods, he’s up for Song of the Year for "All of the Lights" and best rap performance with Jay-Z for "Otis." He’s even nominated against himself, with Watch the Throne and My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy nabbing Rap Album of the Year nods. If he wins….I wonder will he be upset that the "other" album lost.
Adele received 6 nods while Lil Wayne and Rihanna both picked up five nods. Bruno Mars got three nods and Nicki Minaj is up for best new artist along with J Cole. Surprisingly, Beyonce only got two nods (Best Long Form Video and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration).
View the full list of nominees here.
Best New Artist nominee Nicki Minaj joined LL Cool J in making sure things ran smoothly throughout the night.
Taraji P. Henson looked fab as she took the stage in a slinky silver number that showed off her legs.
Rihanna performed her number one hit "We Found Love" via satellite from London’s O2 Arena. She tweeted #GRAMMYS2012 5 nominations!!! This year keeps getting better and better!" #LOUD up 4 Album of the year is so #MAJAH"
Usher and Valerie Simpson performed a moving tribute to Nick Ashford.
Luda got a lil’ country and performed with Jason Aldean.
And during a special performance of "The Message," Lupe Fiasco, Common and LL Cool J joined Grandmaster Flash, Melle Mel, and rapper Scorpio on stage.
Watch Rihanna perform "We Found Love" here:
Watch Ludacris perform "Dirt Road Anthem" with Jason Aldean here:
Watch Lupe Fiasco, Common, and LL Cool J join Grandmaster Flash, Melle Mel, and rapper Scorpio for a special performance of "The Message"
Watch Usher perform a songwriting medley with Valerie Simpson in tribute to Nick Ashford with Mike Stoller of the songwriting team Leiber and Stoller here:
Photos via Wireimage/John Shearer
After news broke this morning that Tameka Raymond filed a petition against her ex-husband Usher for custody and more child support, there’s more to the story.
Tameka’s lawyer exclusively issued a statement to TheYBF.com inside…
Lisa West, legal counsel for Tameka Raymond, tells TheYBF.com that Tameka’s filing was not a ploy for custody and more money, it was simply a response to USHER’S own initial request for (more) custody from this past January.
West defends Tameka’s decision to protect her children from being shuffled around the world on a constant basis. She speaks on Tameka fighting for her children’s stability saying, "Ms. Raymond desires nothing more than for Mr. Raymond to have a relationship and spend quality time with their two children as consistently as possible. She, however, has never been willing to sacrifice their children’s safety and welfare in her efforts to forge such a relationship and has vigorously fought to ensure the children are reared in a stable home environment."
West goes on to say the recent news of Tameka’s filing was part of Usher’s retaliation efforts. All because Tameka demanded to see her children–which Usher prevented her from doing–during the Holidays last year and other times.
The statement to TheYBF.com continues:
Unfortunately, Ms. Raymond’s efforts have caused her to be subjected to repeated instances of retaliation by Mr. Raymond, most especially when she has expressed concerns over his lifestyle and its effects upon their children. Although Mr. Raymond’s actions of refusing to abide by the child support provisions and financial terms of the divorce decree are instances of his retaliation against Ms. Raymond, the most evident instance was the custody petition he filed in January 2011 after she refused to allow their 2- and 3-year-old children to accompany him on his tour to Germany and other parts of the world.
And before you’re quick to believe everything Mr. Raymond says, Tameka’s counsel says most of his petition was made up of lies in order to gain custody of the kids himself:
Although media reports have failed to mention the fabricated claims in Mr. Raymond’s petition to which Ms. Raymond was responding, those who actually know them both know the truth. While Mr. Raymond has chosen to fight this battle in the public, Ms. Raymond’s interests lie in fighting only for the best interests of her children.
Details developing….
Hell hath no fury like Tameka Raymond without her charge cards. Chick is taking Usher to court and demanding sole custody of their kids. And his decision making when it comes to the kids in addition to him cutting off her charge cards doesn’t sit well with her. Deets inside…..
According to legal documents Tameka Raymond wants sole custody of her two sons with singer Usher Raymond because she claims he doesn’t involve her in his "co-parenting" decisions AND he cut off her Saks 5th Avenue card!
TMZ reports that in court papers recently filed in Georgia, Tameka claims Usher:
We’re also told by a source that Usher involves his new girlfriend (who he still doesn’t admit to being involved with) and manager Grace Miguel has too much influence in Usher’s life. She has kids of her own from past relationships, and the two are together most of the time while he’s living coast to coast. We’re told he has repeatedly made decisions based off what Grace tells him to do with his personal life, and Tameka’s not feeling that.
Tameka also claims he promised to pay $ 5k per month so Tameka could hire her own nanny, but he’s now $ 34,000 behind in payments. Oh….and she also wants more child support. Since his career has become more successful, she feels his kids deserve more too.
I’m sure there are baby mommas and ex-wives all around the country who would love Tameka’s problems. Many women just want the man to acknowledge that the kids exist and show some type of care or love (e.g. Sheree Whitfield). This one isn’t going to end in a pretty way though…