DAILY MUSIC NEWS WRAP UP: Ashanti, Mariah Carey, Bilal, Swizz Beatz & more!
By Ivory M. Jones, BET.com Staff Writer
Posted Sept. 20, 2006 --
ASHANTI REACHES SETTLEMENT WITH FORMER PRODUCER
Ashanti reached a settlement yesterday with her former producer, Gerard Parker of T.E.A.M. Entertainment. The undisclosed settlement came just a day after testimony began in a contract dispute lawsuit that Parker had launched against Ashanti. Though neither side would reveal the financial terms of the settlement, Parker agreed to drop all litigation, prompting the singer’s lawyer to call the outcome “an excellent result.”
As previously reported, Parker had filed a breach of contract lawsuit against Ashanti alleging that she had broken a contract that she had signed in 1996. While leaving the court, Ashanti said, “I’m very pleased the plaintiff has voluntarily dismissed the case against us. The lawsuits were time-consuming. I’d rather be in the studio writing.”
MARIAH CAREY TOPS AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS NOMINEES
Mariah Carey and the Black Eyed Peas are among the top nominees for the 2006 American Music Awards with each act nabbing three nominations a piece. Mary J. Blige, Eminem, Jamie Foxx, Pussycat Dolls, T.I. and Kanye West are right behind them with two nominations each. Other nominees include Chris Brown, Ne-Yo, Keyshia Cole, Jagged Edge, Dem Franchize Boyz, the Isley Brothers and more. Chamillionaire is set to go toe-to-toe against the Pussycat Dolls and “American Idol” winner Carrie Underwood for favorite breakthrough artist. The American Music Awards will broadcast live on ABC on Nov. 21 from the historic Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.
SWIZZ BEATZ, BILAL LEND TALENTS TO PEACE CAMPAIGN
Swizz Beatz, Bilal, Cassidy and Floetry's Marsha Ambrosius are among the artists who lent their talents to a new international peace campaign that kicks off Sept. 21, according to Billboard.com. The artists appear on the tribute single, "One Day," which will be sung by a children's choir at the United Nations' International Day of Peace event, which takes place tomorrow at the UN World Bar. At a seperate ceremony, Chris Brown, Lyfe Jennings and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony will join Jennifer Lopez and hubby Marc Anthony to perform the song on Dec. 9 outside Rome's Coliseum for the International Peace Concert.
REDMAN TAPPED AS 2006 STONY AWARDS HOST
Rapper Redman has been tapped to host the 6th Annual High Times Stony Awards on Oct. 24 at New York City’s B.B. King’s venue. The show honors the year’s biggest marijuana-friendly movies and TV shows in 21 categories. Among this year’s nominees are comedian Dave Chappelle, actor Mekhi Phifer, Vh1’s “Flavor of Love” show and rappers Zion I and Kool Keith. “It’s been a strong year for stoner TV shows and drug-related movies. Our objective is to highlight the best and most accurate stories and portrayals,” says Steve Bloom, executive producer of the awards program. Categories include "Best Pot Scene in a movie," "Stoner of the Year" and "Best Reality TV Series."