Philly Fourth Of July Jam Hosted By Comedian Kevin Hart

COMEDIAN KEVIN HART NAMED AS HOST OF PHILLY 4^th OF JULY JAM

VH1 AND PALLADIA TO SIMULCAST AND LIVEDSTREAM ON JULY 4^TH FROM 8-11PM ET/PT

New York, NY- June 4, 2013 –Comedian Kevin Hart has been named the host of the third annual Philly 4^th of July Jam, as part of the Wawa Welcome America! Festival. The event will be simulcast on VH1 and Palladia on Thursday, July 4 from 8-11PM ET. In addition, the event will be live streamed on VH1.com with frequent editorial coverage across MTV, VH1 and CMT news and blogs. Hometown favorites, The Roots, will once again serve as musical curators for the event, they will play their own set and also perform along with special guests John Mayer, Jill Scott, Demi Lovato, Ne-Yo, Grace Potter and J. Cole. Capping off the musical event, the evening will include a spectacular fireworks display over the iconic Philadelphia Museum of Art.

"We are excited to bring Kevin back home to Philly to host the Largest Free Concert event in America", said show Executive Producer Shawn Gee.  "With Kevin, The Roots and Jill Scott, the show will definitely have a Philly flair to it, however with the other great talent on the show, this is guaranteed to be the best Philly Fourth of July show ever. And now with our new partners VH1, the entire country will be able to experience the annual party we have been throwing for 500,000 of our closest friends on the Ben Franklin Parkway each year.”

In addition to hosting the third annual Philly 4^th Of July Jam, the actor and comedian has a new movie, KEVIN HART: LET ME EXPLAIN, hitting theaters on July 3^rd. The movie captures the laughter, energy and mayhem from Hart’s 2012 “Let Me Explain” concert tour, which spanned 10 countries and 80 cities, and generated over $32 million in ticket sales. 

Billed as the “Largest Free Concert in America,” the Philly 4^th of July Jam is a celebration of freedom and music. The Philly 4^th of July Jam is an unforgettable, entertainment-filled night that has featured some of the top artists in the music industry. This is a one-of-a-kind concert, free of cost and fun for all ages, located right in the heart of the City of Brotherly Love. With 500,000 people jamming out on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway--- there is no other place to spend the Fourth of July.

The Jam is coordinated by Welcome America, Inc. and its Executive Director Desiree Peterkin-Bell, along with Executive Producers Scott Mirkin and Shawn Gee and produced with Live Nation. Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson and Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter of The Roots serve as musical directors for the Jam. Executive producers for VH1 are Lee Rolontz, Rick Krim and Keshia Williams.

The Philly 4^th of July Jam takes place during Wawa Welcome America!, a multi-day festival that celebrates America’s birthday in America’s birthplace, Philadelphia.

About VH1

VH1 delivers the ultimate mash-up of music, pop culture and nostalgia for adults who still want to have fun.  VH1 is available in 99 million households in the U.S.  VH1 also has an array of digital channels and services including VH1 Classic, VH1 Soul, VH1 Mobile and VH1.com and @VH1, the hub for all things music and pop culture.  VH1 is a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms.  For more information, go to www.vh1press.com, VH1.com, or the VH1 Facebook page.  Follow us on Twitter @VH1PR.    

About Palladia

Palladia, MTV Networks’ high-definition music channel, launched in January 2006 and features original music-based programming for a variety of music genres, including hip hop, rock, country, pop, reggaeton, soul and more, as well as HDTV acquisitions and original content from MTV Networks Music Group’s MTV, VH1, and CMT family of services.  The channel has grown to 12 million households and is available on major U.S. carriers including Comcast, Cox, Verizon FiOS, Time Warner, Dish, DIRECTV, Charter, AT&T u-Verse and Insight.

About Wawa Welcome America!

Wawa Welcome America! is a multi-day festival that celebrates America’s birthday in America’s birthplace, Philadelphia. In 2013, Welcome America, Inc. is proud to celebrate 20 years as the producer of Philadelphia’s Fourth of July festival. For more information, please visit www.welcomeamerica.com, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wawawelcomeamerica and follow us on Twitter at @July4thPhilly.

About Live Nation Entertainment:

Live Nation Entertainment is the world’s leading live entertainment comprised of four market leaders: Ticketmaster.com, Live Nation Concerts, Artist Nation Management and Live Nation Media/Sponsorship. For additional information, visit www.livenation.com/investors.

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Jill Scott Vs. Tamar Braxton?

Tamar Braxton is a bit of a drama queen, but the reality star may have picked a fight with the wrong one on Twitter. Tamar decided to take exception to something that Jill Scott tweeted about Mary Mary's reality show. The tweet had nothing to do with Tamar, but she decided to take it there anyway.

"Please watch Mary Mary on WE tv. Finally a real representation. Yay!!!!!!!!!" Jilly tweeted.

To which Tamar responded, "Of freakin what? *gets in her feelings*" before adding, "She won't go there*she won't go there*she won't go there* she won't go there*she prays and waits*"

Then Jill got kind of gangsta.

"U can't be speaking to me," she tweeted simply. One of her followers also defended her against Tamar. "I LIKE YOU AND ALL BUT DON'T GO THERE WITH JILL HONEY..THAT'S JILL SCOTT.." she tweeted.

Tamar didn't back down. "She went there!" she replied.

Jill Scott Blasted By Nicki Minaj Fans?

Soul singer Jill Scott's belated reaction to Nicki Minaj's controversial Grammy performance may have been simple and short, but that didn't stop Minaj Twitter fanatics from going H.A.M. on Jilly from Philly. It didn't seem like Scott liked the performance, but its hard to tell--because she only tweeted a quick response.

"I finally watched the Minaj performance on the Grammys, Wow." Jill tweeted. But she went on to semi-defend Nicki, adding: "Art for art sake, I suppose. She has the right to express herself and she took that right. Nuff said."

Apparently, that was enough to enrage Nicki's 'Barbies.'

"The only thing you need to be worried about is your calorie intake, big boned B*TCH. DON'T try it," responded one person. "Where is your music? Singing in the shower in a homeless shelter doesn't count," added another.

"You don't really know the story behind the performance, so you can't really judge it," chimed in someone else. "How many units has your most recent album sold. I'll wait," added someone.

Fans are crazy these days.

Jill Scott Mad At Grammys?

The Grammy Nominations Concert wasn't a joyous occasion for everyone in music. While many fans were shocked that Kanye West and Taylor Swift were snubbed for Album of the Year, other stars voiced their irritation with perceived slights. Among them was soul star Jill Scott.

'Jilly From Philly' wasn't too pleased over her latest album,The Light of the Sun, not getting any nods.

"0 nominations. I’m speechless. Cover of Billboard, #1 cd in the country, tied/broke the record for Urban radio," she tweeted. "Ok…so…ok. Wow."

Jill Scott On Open Relationships

Jill Scott set off a mini-firestorm on Twitter today (August 3) when she asked about open relationships. Scott says she isn't in one but has been hearing a lot about them and has mulled whether or not they can work.

"What do u think about "open" relationships. Been considering," Jill tweeted. "Many friends are making it work. Not sure if I'm that girl but not sure if I'm not. Sometimes there's an understanding that nobody else gets."

"@djknowgud i'm really not saying I'm into it," she added. "Just curious and considering. I think it's cool 4 the guy but when it's the girls turn..pralum"

Her friend Chilli jumped in quickly. "@missjillscott i'm about to call u cuz u can't b in nobody's OPEN relationship!! talk about a horrible situation!!! so answer ur phone!!" she tweeted. "HELL NAW to open relationships!!!!"

Jill Scott Hits #1, Preps Tour

Jill Scott's latest album, Light of the Sun, gave the celebrated soul singer her first ever #1 release and has been winning critical acclaim for weeks. Scott is also prepping her "Jill Scott Summer Block Party" tour, which also features DJ Jazzy Jeff, Doug E. Fresh, Anthony Hamilton and Mint Condition. "I'm a big fan of block parties, and I'm a big fan of [the other acts on the tour]," Scott told Billboard. "I just wanted a show filled with live musicians and live vocalists that have stood the test of time. And, you know, I have a lot of estrogen so I wanted to balance all that out with some guys." "We just want it to be fluid and smooth in transition," she added. "That's the reason why DJ Jazzy Jeff is there, one of the greatest deejays of all time. I've been going to his parties since I was a teenager. And then Doug E. Fresh, nobody starts a party off better than him. He has this amazing energy. We're definitely going to have a good time." 'Jilly From Philly' still can't believe she has a #1 album. "Wow, I haven't even been able to wrap my mind around it yet," she explained. "I'm blown away. I really am. To work on something for a year and half and put so much time and energy into it and enjoy doing it so much, and then for the audience response to be, 'We miss you. Glad you're back,' it just feels wonderful. It feels really good to still be relevant 11 years after my first record came out."

Jill Scott On Sex:

Jill Scott opened about how sprung she used to be on good sex. The soul singer admitted that she would get preoccupied on the freaky-dekey and ignored toxic elements in past relationships.

"Where you get caught up in the whole sexuality of your relationship but it's not going anywhere... Just somebody giving you the goods but not necessarily giving you the rest--or not expecting the rest from them."

"What I've discovered is, although it may be a lot of fun, it is also a waste of time and you might be blocking your blessing--blocking somebody who wants to be more to you than just a great time in your life," explained Jill. "Just realizing what I have to offer. I'm so much more than my flesh!" she said.

Lil Wayne & Drake BET Performers

Lil Wayne and Drake are among the artists scheduled to perform at the upcoming 2011 BET Awards. The show takes place at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California on June 26th. Additional performers during the ceremony include Chris Brown, Jill Scott and Alicia Keys.

Drake and Lil Wayne will hit the stage during the ceremony, according to tweets from BET's Stephen Hill. “BET Awards 11. Just announced: Lil' Wayne and Drake will be blazing the Awards show stage!!! June 26 8pm! #betawards,” he tweeted.

The rappers are both nominated for Best Male Hip-Hop Artist and Best Collaboration for their respective duets with Chris Brown and Rihanna.

Jill Scott Touring With Doug E. Fresh

Further cementing the connection between neo-soul and hip hop, Jill Scott is hitting the road this summer with the Doug E. Fresh and DJ Jazzy Jeff. The "Jill Scott Summer Block Party" will also feature soul stars Anthony Hamilton and Mint Condition as the opening acts for the show.

Jill Scott is planning for the tour to coincide with the release of her upcoming fourth albumThe Light of the Sun on June 28th.

Jeff will DJ throughout the show and Doug E. will serve as host.

The tour kicks off in New York City, New York on July 28th. During the month-long trek, the crew will hit Cleveland, Ohio, Los Angeles, California, Atlanta, Georgia and Charlotte, North Carolina. The tour wraps up in Houston, Texas on August 28th.

Jill Scott Shot The Video For Her New Single “Shame” In Philly FT Eve Director Devin Hampton

Jill Scott shot the video for her new single “Shame” in Philly a couple of weeks ago.

Since CNN had dibs on the behind the scenes footage, the pics were just released.

Jilly from Philly brought out hometown star power of every wattage for the occasion, from Eve and Black Thought to Maybach Signee Meek Mill, Peedi Peedi and Ms. Jade.