Jay-Z & Alicia Keys Claim Highest-Selling Single

Jay-Z and Alicia Keys have made a little more history--adding to the list of accomplishments in both artists' storied careers. Their hit 2009 single "Empire State of Mind" has passed the just surpassed the 5 million mark in digital sale.

The song was one of the biggest hits in recent years, but few could have expected it would become the biggest-selling single of all time.

This is the high-water mark for sales for both artists' careers. Neither artist had ever reached the 5X platinum mark for any of their previous hits

Alicia Keys Gets A New Look

Superstar Alicia Keys may have been busy on mommy duty for the past few years, but she's prepping her comeback to the spotlight and she's going to do it with a slightly-different look. The sexy singer cropped her hair and shared the pics of the 'new Alicia' on Instagram.

“Look what I done did!!;-)))" she tweeted. "Its an ‪#aknewday‬ in EVERY way!!!!"

Her superproducer husband, Swizz Beatz, gave his gal the thumbs-up, as well. He shared his enthusiasm for her trimmed tresses.

“My baby done cut it all off New Day 4 real amazing !!!!” he tweeted.

Wiz Khalifa, Lil Wayne Win Billboard Awards

The 2012 Billboard Music Awards were held last night (May 20th) at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. There weren't a whole lot of surprises in what turned out to be an entertaining but fairly stale show. Chris Brown took home the award for Top R&B Artist, with LMFAO landing Top Duo/Group and Hot 100 song awards.

Lil Wayne and Wiz Khalifa both took home awards at the big show, as well.

The late Whitney Houston was honored with a tribute by John Legend and Jordin Sparks, with Alicia Keys joining the legendary Stevie Wonder onstage when he was celebrated with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Justin Bieber was named "Top Social Artist."

Mariah's Kids Meet Alicia Keys' Kid

The Power Baby Summit?

Superstar couple Nick Cannon and Mariah Carey took their adorable twins, Monroe and Morocco, out for a playdate at the home of some family friends. Those family friends just happened to be fellow superstar couple Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz.

The twins got to spend some quality time hanging out with A-Keys and Swizzy's little one, Egypt Dean.

It's kind of nice to see the future generation of pop music supremacy getting their collabos in a little early. But where, pray tell, was Blue Ivy? She's probably too young.

Alicia Keys Remembers Meeting Swizz

When Alicia Met Swizzy.

High-profile celebrity couple Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz sat down with VIBE and shared their recollections of initially meeting. While the two had interacted with each other several times before they were both in attendance at a lunch meeting, it was at that meeting that sparks really flew.

“It was the craziest thing,” Swizz tells VIBE. “We had a work lunch with some people, and I get home and look in the back pocket—."

"My credit card was in his pocket,” Keys interjected. “Why was my credit card in his pocket?”

Swizz admitted that he had tried unsuccessfully to 'get at' keys years before. “It wasn’t our time yet,” he said.

Alicia Keys Has A Family Secret?

Singer/songwriter Alicia Keys was slated to become the latest celebrity to participate in Dr. Henry Louis Gates' "Finding Your Roots" series, which traces the ancestry of notable African Americans. But Keys pulled out of the series unexpectedly, and Dr. Gates says that her grandmother objected to the Grammy-winner participating.

“Alicia Keys, who I love as a friend of mine, agreed to be in the first series, and as you know, she’s mixed. Her African-American grandmother said ‘Baby…’, we send people a form, we need as much information as you can give us," Gates said. "Like the names of your parents, where they were born, grandparents etc., whatever you can give us. It makes our job a lot simpler right? Her grandmother said ‘Baby, you can’t be in the series. I can’t tell you why, but you can’t be in the series.’

Wow! What kind of skeletons could Grandma be hiding?

Swizz Beatz Prepping Alicia Keys Album

Superproducer Swizz Beatz has been working with his wife, superstar Alicia Keys, on her upcoming fifth album. The as-of-yet untitled project will be Keys' first project since getting married and becoming a mother, and Swizz promises greatness from the Grammy winner.

“She’s working on a timeless piece,” Swizz told Angie Martinez.

“The topics that she’s speaking about are super deep and from the heart, and to me what music has been missing,” Swizz shared. “It’s the thing that makes us special as an artist. I tell her, ‘Yo, I’m proud of you because you’re making timeless pieces.’”

She’s fine tuning the project and a release could come soon. “It’s showtime,” he says. “She’s moving faster than people think. She’s tightening the bolts.”

Cassie's Racy Dinner Jacket

Cassie has been hitting up all of the Paris Fashion Week events with her longtime 'mentor' (boyfriend?) Diddy and other notables like Alicia Keys and Kanye West. Even former Bad Boy Records rapper Shyne was seen hanging out with Diddy and Cass in the City of Love. But Cassie's outfit to a recent dinner got her a lot more attention than anything else she's done while in Paris.

the 25 year old sported a colorful jacket to the King of the Hearts dinner. She wore nothing underneath it.

"King of Hearts. Paris. Dinner ;) Xx" she tweeted.

Sexy look, no?

Alicia Keys' Tribute To Etta James

Alicia Keys has been confirmed as the artist that will be paying tribute to the late, great Etta James at this year's Grammy Awards. James recently passed away after an extended battle with leukemia and the Academy has decided to pay respects to the legendary singer.

It is unkonwn what song Alicia will perform in tribute to James.

Keys' tribute comes on the heels of Christina Aguilera's performance of 'At Last' at James' funeral, and several other notables have paid their respects to the singer's legacy and music.

Jay-Z Rocks Carnegie Hall

Jay-Z gave a rousing performance at his highly-anticipated charity show at Carnegie Hall. Performing to benefit the United Way, Jay gave the first of two nights of charitable shows and the new father did not disappoint.

Jay opened the show with a 36-piece orchestra and performed several tracks, including "Glory," his ode to his baby daughter and lesser-known album cuts "PSA" and "Thank You."

He also two notable guest appearances, with Alicia Keys joining Jay onstage or "Empire State of Mind" and Nas performing his own "N.Y. State of 

Obama Wish List Includes will.i.am, Jay-Z

A 'wish list' of notable celebrity endorsers that may be participating in President Barack Obama's re-election campaign has been leaked by Nashville-based newspaper, The Tennessean. Almost 200 names are among the names, including rappers Jay-Z and will.i.am.

Alicia Keys, Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine, John Legend, Fergie, India.Arie, Jamie Foxx, George Clooney, Sara Bareilles, Arcade Fire, Counting Crows, Ricky Martin, Josh Groban and Chris Cornell are also on the list.

“This was a wish list of people and groups who may be asked to participate in a campaign event,” campaign spokesperson Addie Whisenant explained to The Tennessean. “Not everyone on this list has been contact or agreed to help the campaign.”

Spinderella Blasts Celebrity DJs?

 

DJ Spinderella decided to get a little off of her chest earlier today (January 2) on Twitter. The former Salt N Pepa turntablist blasted the current 'celebrity DJ' wave as a tacky trend that disrespects the art of DJing. She said that real DJs have to respect the art, and many of the big names jumping on the bandwagon do not.

"BTW, I do lessons for anyone who wants to learn. But we startin ground ZERO," she tweeted. "I rapped on a few joints back then...but never claim to be a 'rapper.' DJing is just a 'trend' now. artists jump on the bandwagon cause its the 'in' career move. What about real DJs that 'bleed' this culture?"

"Record sales down? Become a DJ? FOH" she continued. "First DJ AK-47, (Alicia Keys) and now DJ wih wih wiggety Wayne? WTH who's next?"

Alicia Keys Isn't Pregnant

Superstar Alicia Keys is denying rumors that she is expecting her second child. The singer/songwriter spoke to the New York Post at the Keep A Child Alive 8th Annual Black Ball event in New York City and said she is most definitely holding off on another kid.

“Not in the next year," she said on the red carpet. "I definitely see myself having another child, but not in the next year. I’m going to have to go on tour first.”

A-Keys also talked about her young son, Egypt. "His birthday came [last month] and there are like a hundred, billion, trillion thousand gifts," she says. "That can’t happen for Christmas. I need to figure this out now because he’s not going to be this terror 5-year-old child [shouting], ‘Give me!’"

Alicia Keys Isn't PregnantSuperstar Alicia Keys is denying rumors that she is expecting her second child. The singer/songwriter spoke to the New York Post at the Keep A Child Alive 8th Annual Black Ball event in New York City and said she is most definitely holding off on another kid. “Not in the next year," she said on the red carpet. "I definitely see myself having another child, but not in the next year. I’m going to have to go on tour first.” A-Keys also talked about her young son, Egypt. "His birthday came [last month] and there are like a hundred, billion, trillion thousand gifts," she says. "That can’t happen for Christmas. I need to figure this out now because he’s not going to be this terror 5-year-old child [shouting], ‘Give me!’"

Superstar Alicia Keys is denying rumors that she is expecting her second child. The singer/songwriter spoke to the New York Post at the Keep A Child Alive 8th Annual Black Ball event in New York City and said she is most definitely holding off on another kid.

“Not in the next year," she said on the red carpet. "I definitely see myself having another child, but not in the next year. I’m going to have to go on tour first.”

A-Keys also talked about her young son, Egypt. "His birthday came [last month] and there are like a hundred, billion, trillion thousand gifts," she says. "That can’t happen for Christmas. I need to figure this out now because he’s not going to be this terror 5-year-old child [shouting], ‘Give me!’"

Bridget Kelly Loves Alicia Keys?

Bridget Kelly garnered a significant amount of attention standing in for Alicia Keys during Jay-Z's performance of "Empire State of Mind" on "Saturday Night Live" last year and during several of the rapper's live performances. But the Roc Nation singer says she's not afraid of being compared to A-Keys--even as she works to establish her own persona.

"I love it. I love the Alicia comparisons. I think she’s brilliant," Kelly says. "There’s no shame in being compared to Alicia. I’m a fan of her work and her movement and what she stands for for women."

The singer also discussed being signed to Jay's Roc Nation imprint.

"I was signed to Roc Nation the same time as J. Cole," she says. "At the time, I was sort of in a different space. I thought I wanted to do very emo rock music, sort of like Alanis Morrisette or Pink. But then I headed out on the BP3 tour and got to really learn the business and all the many many different parts that go into developing and selling an artist and the experience was quite humbling. My very first show as an artist was Madison Square Garden."

Swizz Buys Alicia Keys A Car

With all types of gossip flying around about Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys' marriage, the couple is still putting on its happy face for the fans. Swizz just recently celebratedhis birthday by buying his wifey a new car. Alicia tweeted pics of her brand new, custom Lotus Evora.

"Happy Birthday to the most INCREDIBLE man I know!!!!! @therealswizzz !!!" she tweeted. "To A life of ENDLESS shining between us! ;-)"

Swizz reciprocated the warm-and-fuzzy sentiment with his response.

"The best part of my Bday today was my gift to my wife because my Bday is her Bday:) #1of1Lotus!" he said.

Russell Simmons, Others Help Apollo

Mogul Russell Simmons, comedian Jamie Foxx, Alicia Keys and numerous other celebrities attended a benefit for Harlem's legendary Apollo Theater in The Hamptons. The event took place at the estate of billionaire Ronald Perelman, and raised an estimated $1,000,000 for the Apollo.

According to reports, the cost to attend was $100,000 to co-chair, $50,000 to sponsor and $2,500 per person.

Keys, Jamie Foxx, Jon Bon Jovi, Betty Lavette and Ben E. King also performed for the attendees.

Lil Mama Influenced Nicki Minaj?

Lil Mama--remember her?--is claiming that Nicki Minaj ripped off her hairstyle. The pint-size pop rapper says Nicki saw the cut and began to imitate her look. Mind you, this is the same chick that thought that jumping onstage uninvited with Alicia Keys and Jay-Z was a smart idea.

"My cut is blunt and futuristic and Nicki Minaj started wearing that bob on her head after she came to my show, so at the end of the day I know what I do and I know what I possess and I know who I am. I'm a trendsetter,” she said. “The biggest form of flattery is imitation so I'm flattered. I understand the universal law. I'm not confused, I don't feel like a follower. I started so many things that new artists are doing now anyway –my style, the way I'm aggressive on a track, the way I come through, the way my beat bangs. There are so many things that were borrowed, that I influenced that's happening in music right, so I'm far from discouraged.”

“She was a guest on ‘America's Best Dance Crew’ and immediately afterwards, everywhere she went, she was wearing the haircut, the same exact way,” she continued. “But that doesn't make me feel like ‘Oh she's trying to be down’ like how I said about our culture. I'm actually flattered because she imitated me and it felt like something that I was doing was cute and in time for the fashion and for the season, so it's like let's live, let's do it.”

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.

Alicia Keys On Her Early Career

Alicia Keys is this month's W magazine cover story, and the superstar singer/songwriter discusses her beginnings. It's been a decade since Keys' crashed onto the pop charts with her hit "Falling," and the married mother reflected on her start as a talented teen.

“I just wanted to be who I was, which was like so many other girls I knew. We grew up in the city, had a hard edge and obstacles to overcome, but we were still young and beautiful," Keys says. "I didn’t want to be all dressed up, all made up—I wanted to be myself, which hadn’t been done before.”

“I was a young girl with very strong ideas but no experience," she added. "I just knew that everything else I was doing was wrong—that all the suggestions weren’t what was in my mind, they weren’t what it was meant to be.”

“How terrible would it have been if I had come out with some watered-down version of who I am? People fell in love with the real me, and I still feel blessed that that was how the journey began,” she shared.