Music News

Ne-Yo's next album will be "predominately R&B".
The 'Let Me Love You' hitmaker has thanked the dance world for "accepting" him but claims he will be returning to his musical roots for his upcoming record.
He told Billboard: "As of right this second my main focus is my new album. It'll be out probably towards the summertime, predominately R&B this time.
"I had a little stint with the dance music and all of that, which I had a good time with - and I love the audience, I love them for accepting me doing it - but I had to go home on this one. Had to take it back to my roots, and not to say that there won't be one, maybe two songs on there that the dance crowd can get into, but the majority, the girth of the album, will be R&B."
As he prepares for the R&B revival, the singer-songwriter dropped a new mixtape, '3 Simple Rules', on Valentine's Day (14.02.14), and he revealed he has waited to return to his old sound for the past few years.
He said: "But [I didn't], just from the standpoint of being a pioneer, leading people into whatever the next thing was gonna be. There wasn't a lot of R&B cats doing songs at 120 beats per minute before 'Closer,' which I take full credit and responsibility for.
"That's all good, but it was an experiment. You experiment with something, if it goes good, cool, but you never forget where you come from and R&B is where I come from."
And when he's not busy recording his own material, he's writing for the likes of Beyoncé, Rihanna and Celine Dion and is also grooming his own talent with Compound Entertainment, he said: "I have a few artists under me right now that I'm putting together. I pray that the stuff will be next year, but at the end of the day, until it's right, I can't put it out. It's gotta be right. I try not to be a perfectionist, I try not to be too hard on them but at the end of the day, it's gotta be right."

Joss Stone, Bryan Ferry, Burt Bacharach and The Jacksons have joined the line-up for this year's Henley Festival.
The event, which takes place from July 9 to 13 on the banks of the River Thames, will also feature comedy shows, art and sculpture exhibitions and street theatre performances.
Joss said: "I am really looking forward to performing at the Henley Festival, to play such a beautiful location will make it a very special day."
Michael Jackson's siblings Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon, and Tito, are excited about taking to the stage.
They said: "We are thrilled and honoured to be performing at the historic Henley Festival. This is sure to be a highlight of the summer for us and for the fans as well. We look forward putting on a great and memorable show for all of the attendees."
The Henley Festival's charity work continues and this year they are running a new initiative with The Prince's Foundation for Children and the Arts.
Gill Mitchell, CEO of the Henley Festival, said: "This will be the 32nd time we have transformed the site of Henley Royal Regatta into a wondrously spectacular and glamorous black tie, music and arts festival."
Tickets go on general sale on March 24, visit henley-festival.co.uk for further details.

Prince thinks people don't understand "real musicians" any more.
The 'Purple Rain' hitmaker, who continues to excite fans with his guerilla-style gigs in the UK with rock quartet 3RDEYEGIRL, feels artists like Jack White and Lianne La Havas aren't getting the recognition they deserve.
In an exclusive interview in the new edition of MOJO magazine, he said: "People don't understand real musicians anymore. Jack White is great, he's the real thing, but he isn't having hits. Why aren't Vintage Trouble or Lianne La Havas having hits?"
MOJO were also given an exclusive premiere of his latest album, PLECTRUM ELECTRUM, which includes new track TICTACTOE, recorded in London.
Prince said: "We recorded it in Bryan Ferry's studio in London, after a night of partying for which the Cocteau Twins was the soundtrack. You can't understand the words of Cocteau Twins songs but their harmonies put you in a dreamlike state."
Talking about his new band 3RDEYEGIRL, he said: "To get in this world you've got to be good. We ain't no punks. These girls have got to put up with me 24/7, which is not an easy job."
The 55-year-old singer started his run of London shows last month with a surprise 'sound-check' at Camden's Electric Ballroom and he has since performed a second show at the venue, as well as sets at Koko in Camden, Soho jazz club Ronnie Scott's, Shepherd's Bush Empire and Kings Place in King's Cross, with more shows to be announced, including a show in Manchester.
MOJO's in-depth cover article spans 16 pages of the new issue, on sale in the UK from next Tuesday (25.02.14).

Lana Del Rey's new album 'Ultraviolence' is being produced by The Black Keys' Dan Auerbach.
The 'National Anthem' singer took to Twitter yesterday to post a picture of herself sitting on the lap of the rock frontman and Grammy Award winning producer.
She teased fans by writing alongside the snap: "Me and Dan Auerbach are excited to present you Ultraviolence."
Dan has produced records for a number of artists including The Growlers, Hanni El Khatib and Dr John, and the picture hints that he has been working with Lana on the follow-up to 'Born to Die' in 2012, her second studio album.
'Ultraviolence' is rumoured to be released on May 1, after the singer accidentally told a fan the release date, whilst signing an autograph.
Speaking about the new record, she also said: "It's so good that it made me forget about the last record. I'm in love with it. I have that romantic feeling about it."
The 27-year-old singer revealed the title of her next record at the launch event for her short film Tropico last year. Appearing onstage at Hollywood's Cinerama Dome, she said: "I really just wanted us all to be together so I could visually close the chapter before I release my new album, 'Ultraviolence'."
Last month she also released new track 'Once Upon A Dream', the theme song from the soundtrack to the new Disney film, 'Maleficient'.

50 Cent will release his next album on an indie label.
The 'Candy Shop' hitmaker has severed ties with Eminem's Interscope imprint, Shady Records, after 12 years and will now be working with Caroline, a music distributor owned by Universal, starting with his album 'Animal Ambition', which is due out on June 3.
In a statement, the star said: "I recorded so many album quality songs that I'm going to put the Animal project out as my viral marketing plan and then [Street King] will come out after. [Animal Ambition] is about prosperity ... ambition and prosperity."
The 38-year-old rapper has sold millions of albums for Interscope, including 15-million copies of his debut record, but the star's relationship with the label has been difficult since 2009's 'Before I Self Destruct', which failed to conquer the charts.
Its follow-up was delayed and the rapper complained on Twitter and threatened to leak an unreleased Dr Dre song. But despite the problems, 50 Cent insists he still owes Interscope one album and Eminem has wished his former protégé well, saying: "Shady simply would not be what it is without 50 Cent.
"I've developed a great friendship with 50 over the years, and that's not going to change."
His move to an indie label is similar to the arrangement used by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis for 'The Heist', and Pet Shop Boys' scheme for last year's 'Electric' LP.
The rapper added: "I have had great success to date with Shady/Aftermath/Interscope, and I'd like to thank Eminem and Dr Dre for giving me an incredible opportunity.
"I've learned so much from them through the years. I am excited to enter this new era where I can carry out my creative vision."
50 Cent's last UK hit was the 2012 single 'My Life', which peaked at number two at on the UK Single's Chart.

Wilko Johnson admits it's a "dream" to make an album with Roger Daltrey because he's "supposed to be dead".
The 66-year-old singer - who announced he had terminal pancreatic cancer in January 2013 - has teamed up with Roger to create 'Going Back Home', and he insists music has helped him with his illness.
Speaking to The Sun newspaper, he said: "It's been an amazing year for me. To still be alive after I'm supposed to be dead and making an album with Roger Daltrey is a dream. It has really helped sustain me.
"I've been a manic depressive all through my life, going up and down. There have been dark nights of the soul and all that sort of stuff.
"Now I'm thinking, 'F***ing hell, you're alive, what more do you want?' The basic feeling I have now is better than the basic feeling I've had before in my life. I like being alive so much more."
The former Dr. Feelgood guitarist - who was told he'd unlikely live a year after he refused chemotherapy - believes his determination has encouraged other people suffering with cancer.
He explained: "People with cancer or people who know someone with cancer have told me they've been inspired.
"I've been getting all this mail and people come up and shake my hand. They seem to care about me which is very, very touching."
Roger, while addressing Wilko, adds: "When they realise what's happening to you, they drop their egos and become human beings."
'Going Back Home' will be released on March 24.

Lily Allen thinks she acts like an "idiot" during her gigs.
The 'Hard Out Here singer, who presented the award for Best British Group to Arctic Monkeys at the BRITs on Wednesday night (19.02.14), ends up performing "stand-up comedy" on stage when she acts herself and jokes about.
Asked if she has an alter ego like Beyonce's Sasha Fierce when she goes on stage, she told The Showbiz 411: "I don't [have an alter ego] really, I just do my thing. But it does sometimes turn into a stand-up comedy routine because that's sort of what I'm like. I've gotta work on some more production and narrative into my show, otherwise it's just me being an idiot.
"I only ever write when I'm in the studio. I don't write 24/7 at all and I go back when I'm done with this album and touring and stuff."
Talking about how she juggles her family life with husband Sam Cooper and children Ethel, two, and 14-month-old Marnie, and will soon be faced with the challenge of being on the road.
Lily explained: "I haven't done it yet [toured], so I don't know how I'm going to manage but I just try and spend as much time with them in the day time as possible, and then if I'm working at night, and vice versa."
Asked if her children recognise her songs playing on the radio, she admits: "They do, my eldest Ethel always goes, 'monkey tune, monkey tune mummy', from the new one 'Air Balloon' because it's got the word monkey in it and it's one of the only words she knows."

Bastille's Chris 'Woody' Wood is to make his debut as a football commentator for his favourite club Plymouth Argyle.
The drummer is a lifelong fan of the League Two team and he is now
going to call the action on The Pilgrims' match against Dagenham & Redbridge on Saturday (22.02.14) for BBC Radio Devon.
The 28-year-old musician will join veteran commentator Gordon Sparks on the microphone and he can't wait for the game.
Woody said: "Having grown up going to Argyle with my family since I was a young boy, I jumped at the chance to get involved with the team and the broadcasting legend that it Gordon Sparks. This will be a dream come true."
It seems Gordon is just as excited to be working with the 'Pompeii' hitmaker.
Gordon told the BBC: "I have been fortunate enough to have managers and players alongside me, but it will be a first to have someone from the world of entertainment - especially given the popularity of Bastille. Being an Argyle fan is a bonus. I'm sure Woody will fit in well."
Woody joined his bandmates Dan Smith, Kyle Simmons and William Farquarson at the BRIT Awards in London on Wednesday night (19.02.14) where they performed with Rudimental and went home with the Best British Breakthrough Act prize.
Prior to the ceremony he was interviewed by Plymouth Argyle's YouTube channel (Youtube.com/user/argylemedia) and was presented with a difficult choice.
When asked if he'd rather win a BRIT award or have his beloved Argyle make it to the play-offs which could see them promoted to League One, he said: "Don't do that to me ... both!"
For more info on Plymouth Argyle visit Player.pafc.co.uk/home/

Liam Payne loved visiting Ghana and claims it has been his most memorable trip.
The One Direction hunk and his band mates - Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan - paid a visit to the country at the beginning of 2013 for Comic Relief and despite jetting all over the world, Liam insists it was the best.
He said: "We haven't really performed there per se, we didn't get to perform in front of loads of people, but Ghana was one of the best places, it was ace."
The band, who won the Global Success Award at the BRITs last night (19.02.14), along with Best Video for their track 'Best Song Ever', were amazed to win two gongs.
When asked how they felt, Liam replied: "I feel drunk", before swigging more wine.
He added: "This has been one of the first times we've seen each other in quite a long time, it's been nice today, to fill each other in on what we've been doing in the past few weeks, it's been ace."
Harry, 20, also thanked the band's fans and said they were "incredible" for voting for them.
Niall, 21, said: "This is our second year to win the Global Success Award, which means so much to us. Australia was my favourite country, it was great."
Louis, 22, added: "It's half to please Niall, but true, I'd say my favourite city to play in was Dublin."
After the BRITs, Liam, his girlfriend Sophia Smith, and band mates Harry and Niall went to Sony Music's after party with Belvedere Vodka at the Arts Club in London.
They were joined by Pharrell Williams, Nicole Scherzinger, and couples, Jason Statham and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Rita Ora and Calvin Harris.
Later on, loved-up Jason and Rosie had a dance-off with Rita and boyfriend Calvin as guests watched on.