Beyonce and Jay-Z

[BobbyD 2]

Bubble Trouble: Jay-Z's Cristal War Tuesday, August 29, 2006By Michael Y. Park If Cristal champagne had an unofficial spokesman, it was hip-hop impresario Jay-Z: musician, club owner, fashion entrepreneur, New Jersey Nets co-owner and president and CEO of Def Jam and Roc-A-Fella Records. You would think Cristal would be pleased to have one of the music industry's most influential names hawking its wares, repeatedly and free of charge, on several of his songs — including the No. 1 hit “Hard Knock Life.”But you'd be wrong. Frederic Rouzaud, managing director of Champagne Louis Roedere, characterized his company's reaction to hip-hop's embrace of his particular brand of bubbly not as ecstatic but as one of “curiosity and serenity” in an interview with The Economist in mid-June.He then went on to add: “What can we do? We can’t forbid people from buying it. I’m sure Dom Perignon or Krug would be delighted to have their business.”The Economist placed his comments in an article with the subheadline “Unwelcome Attention.”And so began the Cristal War of 2006, and with it questions about whether Champagne Louis Roedere would spark a movement of upscale and mainstream companies distancing themselves from the hip-hop world.For his part, Brooklyn, N.Y.-born Jay-Z, real name Shawn Carter, didn't hesitate to make the chasm between hip-hop and Cristal even bigger.He quickly forbade his 40/40 Clubs in New York and Atlantic City, N.J., from serving the $300-a-bottle drink he once affectionately called “Crissy” and fired a broadside against Rouzaud in the form of an angry press release.“It has come to my attention that the managing director of Cristal, Frederic Rouzaud, views the 'hip-hop' culture as 'unwelcome attention.' I view his comments as racist and will no longer support any of his products through any of my various brands including The 40/40 Club nor in my personal life,” Jay-Z said.In an added dig, the press release continued: “Just as Rouzaud stated, 'I'm sure Dom Perignon or Krug would be delighted to have their business,' Jay-Z and the 40/40 Club will now be serving only Krug and Dom Perignon to their customers seeking high-end champagne products.”An uppity champagne house isn't the only enemy the hip-hop world perceives. Also this year, rappers Ludracris, 50 Cent and Ice Cube took Oprah Winfrey to task for supposedly holding a grudge against hip-hop. Winfrey has said that she feels that many hip-hop lyrics are demeaning toward women.Bill Cosby also recently spoke out against hip-hop, saying "They put the n-word in a song and we get up and dance to it."And Rouzaud may have been thinking about another elite brand's troubles when it was adopted by an “upstart” culture. When Burberry's distinctive checks were adopted in the late 1990s and early 2000s by so-called chavs — the modern British equivalent of urban “white trash," pubs, stadiums and shopping centers across the U.K. barred entry to those wearing Burberry tartan, Burberry fakes flooded the markets and the company watched its U.K. sales plummet.The brand, which was also favored by U.S. rappers like Ja Rule, was forced to respond with drastic measures, stripping its checks from all but less than 5 percent of its products and discontinuing the chav-popular Burberry-checkered baseball cap in 2004.But most people say the same thing isn't likely to happen to hip-hop in the U.S.“I haven't heard of any other brands distancing themselves from rap,” said Andrea Duncan-Mao, senior writer for the hip-hop magazine XXL. “It's happened here and there, like the urban legends about Tommy Hilfiger saying he didn't make clothes just for hip-hop people and then going back on that, the talk about Oprah not liking hip-hop, but I haven't seen any consistent pull away from rap or hip-hop."In contrast, you see a lot of people marketing for the hip-hop generation — you have raps in commercials, from Dr. Scholl's foot insoles to fast food. It's really permeated the culture and Madison Avenue,” she added.Freelance journalist and former MTV correspondent Alisha Davis agreed.“I think it's just the opposite [of companies pulling away] — I think they're jumping all over hip-hop,” she said. “You have Cadillac branding with Snoop Dogg for cars, McDonald's, Wal-Mart and Pepsi deals. Pharrell Williams is the face of Louis Vuitton right now."Let's be honest, hip-hop didn't start out high-end, you didn't used to have hip-hop artists on the cover of Vogue, but now you have a company like Louis Vuitton making Pharrell Williams their face."Davis thinks mainstream companies have realized the power of hip-hop as a mainstream marketing tool."They looked at the music charts and music sales, which are dominated by hip-hop, and realized that they've got to make inroads into this market.”It's not a new revelation. Tommy Hilfiger, in fact, saw a large uptick in profits when he designed a line specifically for the hip-hop set in 1999.In 1994, Sprite began using rap music in its commercials and was rewarded with quadrupled sales, and Burger King soon followed suit in its own TV spots, as did Macy's with more hip-hop-friendly selections on its racks.And Nike gained a fair amount of publicity when it took only a couple of hours to sell its 1,000 pairs of the Nelly-branded “Air Derrty” sneaker in June 2003. The St. Louis rap artist has since signed a deal with Reebok.Even other liquor companies are eager to lap up the hip-hop market — Hennessy Cognac has published a book, "Manifest XO," that seeks to blend hip-hop sensibilities with old-money style, offering primers on choosing tie lengths and cutting cigars alongside tips on seducing women and "living large."It's unclear whether Jay-Z's crusade is hurting Cristal. Anecdotal evidence suggests that you're much less likely to see Rouzaud's bubbly being served in clubs that cater to hip-hop clientele, but firm figures probably won't be available for a while.And, to be fair, Rouzaud did respond to Jay-Z's anger by explaining that he was misunderstood and that charges of racism are unfounded.“A house like Louis Roederer would not have existed since 1776 without being totally open and tolerant to all forms of culture and art, including the most recent musical and fashion styles which — like hip-hop — keep us in touch with modernity,” he said.Duncan-Mao said that the furor over Rouzad's comments, which may have been warped by the language barrier, are ultimately a bit “silly.”“If I was an old-money brand that likes a low profile like Cristal does, you may not want to be associated with rap sometimes, because there's a lot of negative things happening with rap. This year, look at Busta Rhymes, who had a video shoot where someone gets murdered on set, [and] the hype man for Emimem, Proof, probably murdered in Detroit after a gun battle."Duncan-Mao believes hip-hop is often its own worst enemy."I haven't actually seen a backlash toward rap, but I wouldn't blame certain companies if they didn't want to be associated with it at certain times from all the negative images you're getting from it," she said. "I love rap and I've defended hip-hop for 15-20 years, but it's like what Chris Rock said one time, you get sick of having to defend it.”But as for Cristal's explanation about Rouzaud's original comments, it's too little, too late, said Ronn Torossian, CEO of 5W Public Relations, who's worked with dozens of hip-hop artists, including 'Lil Kim, Ice Cube and Sean “P. Diddy” Combs.“Many brands don't understand the power of hip-hop to make or break them,” he said. “Hip-hop is about Main Street and Wall Street. Who do you gain by making comments like that?"If you want to go for white and older, no 60-year-old golfer is going to say 'Cristal doesn't want Jay, so let's go buy the product.' In terms of the hip-hop consumer, they're done, I don't see anything they can do.”Which may actually make Rouzaud very happy.

[Cutielb99 0]

SIREN SONG

 

"Ring the Alarm"! Beyoncé looks scorching in her crystal-encrusted gown on the MTV Video Music Awards red carpet – before heating up the show with her performance of the anti-cheating anthem.

 

[Cutielb99 0]

B'DAY PRESENT

 

Beyoncé, who scorched the VMAs red carpet in her crystal-encrusted gown, switches into another party frock for her album release party that night at boyfriend Jay-Z's 40/40 Club. B’Day is due Sept. 5, the day after the singer rings in her 25th.

 

[Freckles 79]

Stunning woman but why oh why does she always dress like this?

[Bette Davis 0]

Stunning woman but why oh why does she always dress like this?

I so agree. With Beyonce's looks and her money, a stylist could work wonders.

[fykeylicious 1,099]

Wedding Bells for Beyonce?

Posted Sep 4th 2006 12:01AM by TMZ Staff

Filed under: Gossip/ Rumors, Music, Beyonce Knowles

 

Ellen DeGeneres continues her quest to be a celebrity bridesmaid, this time asking Beyoncé Knowles if she'll be marrying boyfriend Jay-Z in the near future.

 

Though whispers of wedding talk have been swirling, Knowles shot them down, saying they're all "big fat rumors." An ever-optimistic Beyoncé added, "One day I hope to be married with children."

 

Though Knowles recently told reporters she plans on winning a Tony, Oscar and Grammy in her lifetime she tells DeGeneres she'd like to take more breaks between projects.

 

"I don't want to retire at thirty, I want to relax...I still want to make albums and movies, but at a slower pace."

 

Ellen's full interview with Beyoncé airs on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" Sept. 5.

 

TMZ

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HAPPY B-DAY!

 

How is Beyoncé celebrating her 25th birthday? By working harder than ever. The singer touched down in Tokyo on Saturday to promote her newly released album B'Day, but will be back in New York City to stop by Good Morning America, TRL and The View this week.

 

[Cutielb99 0]

LOVE ON WHEELS

Page Six

 

September 6, 2006 -- BEYONCÉ Knowles may not have gotten an engagement ring for her 25th birthday from her man Jay-Z, but she got something better. Jay took his longtime sweetheart to the Time Warner garage early yesterday morning and surprised her with a 1959 Rolls-Royce convertible, said to be worth $1 million. Our spy says Knowles was "speechless." Knowles' official birthday was Monday. A rep for Knowles declined to comment.

[Cutielb99 0]

CAKE WALK

 

It's a super-sized present fit for a superstar: Birthday gal Beyoncé celebrates her 25th – and the release of her sophomore album, B'Day – Monday in Tokyo.

 

[Babloo328 0]

Does anyone know why Perez is suddenly so after Beyonce and her supposed "copying ways". Every pop star copies each other, it's hard for me to think of someone lately who hasn't been "inspired" by someone older.

 

Good thing she's getting good reviews as opposed to Paris Hilton. I'm not going to buy her album simply because that gear shift dancing she did was a bit too gay for even me.

[fykeylicious 1,099]

Is Paramount Pictures worried that Beyoncé Knowles' heavy hype for her new album — released yesterday — is hurting promotional plans for the December blockbuster "Dreamgirls"?

 

A knowledgeable insider insisted yesterday that Beyoncé's album "B'Day," marking the singer-actress' 25th birthday Monday, could threaten the movie, which Paramount acquired last December when it absorbed DreamWorks SKG.

 

"Beyoncé's oversaturation in the marketplace has thrown a major monkey wrench in the 'Dreamgirls' rollout campaign," the insider told Lowdown, claiming that her album was originally planned for next year, but Beyoncé — concerned that the film won't be the star vehicle she'd hoped for — secretly recorded it this summer, without the knowledge of Paramount or even her manager-father, Matthew Knowles.

 

"It will take away from the anticipation of the 'Dreamgirls' soundtrack," said my source. "She has left Paramount with not a lot of options for rolling out this film. … All her solo attention is making Paramount reposition their strategy at the last minute."

 

Yesterday, a Paramount spokesman scoffed at this account, claiming, "The buzz created by the album's release has only raised awareness of the film," noting that Beyoncé's "Dreamgirls" original tune, "Listen," is on her new CD. "Paramount and DreamWorks are nothing but thrilled with Beyoncé," the flack said.

 

Beyoncé's PR rep, Alan Nierob, also disputed the insider: "I guarantee you that the publicity campaign for the film is in place, and nothing relating to the publicity for her solo album has affected that campaign."

 

But the insider insisted: "She rushed that album out in part because she realized she's not going to be the one to shine in 'Dreamgirls.' Apparently she didn't come to terms with the fact that the Effie White character" — played by "American Idol" contestant Jennifer Hudson — "is the focal point of the film."

 

Nierob countered: "The movie is not only the vehicle she'd hoped it would be, it has surpassed what she hoped it would be."

 

source: nydailynews.com

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BEYONCE GETS A JUMPIN' START

 

The B'Day girl wakes up in New York City.

 

 

 

MORNING JOLT

 

With her parents and beau Jay-Z watching from the sidelines, Beyoncé gives a jump-start to the day Friday in New York's Bryant Park as part of Good Morning America's concert series.

 

[Cutielb99 0]

Beyonce’s B’Day a hit

thebosh.com, 9.7.06

 

Beyonce’s B’Day, is on target to soar past 600k and could approach 650k, based on first-day sales reports from Hits Daily Double's retail reporters around the country.

 

All that and a $1 million 1959 Rolls Royce from bf Jay-Z makes for a pretty nifty birthday writes Hits

 

In other news, Beyonce has hit out at suggestions her media drive to promote second album B'DAY is jeopardizing new movie DREAMGIRLS reports Contact Music. The former DESTINY'S CHILD frontwoman stars as DEENA JONES in the highly anticipated musical - which also features JAMIE FOXX and EDDIE MURPHY - but Paramount Pictures producers reportedly fear the public will be fed up with her by the time it's released in December (06). Knowles originally scheduled to launch her record after the movie hit cinemas, but brought it forward to coincide with her birthday this week (04SEP06) and sparked a blaze of publicity. A studio insider tells the New York Daily News, "Beyonce's over saturation in the marketplace has thrown a major monkey wrench in the Dreamgirls rollout campaign. "It will take away from the anticipation of the Dreamgirls soundtrack. She has left Paramount with not a lot of options for rolling out this film." However, her spokesman ALAN NIEROB insists, "I guarantee you that the publicity campaign for the film is in place, and nothing relating to the publicity for her solo album has affected that campaign."

[Cutielb99 0]

MASS APPEAL

 

Who says riding the subway isn't fun? Beyoncé continues her B'Day celebration during a ride on the B train en route to a CD signing in New York City on Friday. The singer released her sophomore album internationally on Sept. 4, the same day as her 25th birthday.

 

[taco 0]

BEYONCE GETS A JUMPIN' START

 

The B'Day girl wakes up in New York City.

 

 

 

MORNING JOLT

 

With her parents and beau Jay-Z watching from the sidelines, Beyoncé gives a jump-start to the day Friday in New York's Bryant Park as part of Good Morning America's concert series.

 

Is it just me or does she have an extra vagina hiding in her armpit???

No...... just me then?

[Cutielb99 0]

SISSY SOLES

Page Six

 

September 12, 2006 -- DMX - the oft-arrested hip-hop star - says real men don't wear sandals. And he blames Beyoncé for Jay-Z's flip-flop fetish. "The flip-flops - he's just not the same," DMX complains in Vibe magazine. "It's Beyoncé. He's a sucker for love. Thugs don't do flip-flops. Yo, no matter how much vacation I'm on - we been to St. Thomas, Bahamas, all the little islands - I don't wear no flip-flops. I'm never that comfortable, not even in my own house."

[crystalb 0]

even tho her dad may exploit her for his own sake... you gotta admit that man knows what he was doing.. he had a hand for her first album... it did amazingly well.... her going about it on her own for her second album.... sucks ass big time.........

 

 

 

beyonce and jay z remind me of the modern day lennon and yoko ono.... except more spectacular

[MissuTam 85]

Does anyone know why Perez is suddenly so after Beyonce and her supposed "copying ways". Every pop star copies each other, it's hard for me to think of someone lately who hasn't been "inspired" by someone older.

 

Good thing she's getting good reviews as opposed to Paris Hilton. I'm not going to buy her album simply because that gear shift dancing she did was a bit too gay for even me.

I noticed that too...Maybe he is trying to help Miz Hilton by dissin' Miss B...

[fykeylicious 1,099]

Jay-Z emerging from his rap retirement

Thu Sep 14, 6:18 PM ET

 

Call him the Michael Jordan of rap. Jay-Z, who declared that 2003's "The Black Album" would be his last, is coming out retirement and releasing a new CD.

 

"Kingdom Come" will hit stores this fall, Entertainment Weekly magazine reports in its new issue, due on newsstands Monday.

 

"It was the worst retirement in history," Jay told the magazine.

 

Actually, his post-retirement career looked pretty good. In 2004, the rap icon (real name: Shawn Carter) became president and CEO of Def Jam Recordings. He became part owner of the New Jersey Nets that same year. Also on his resume: Not-So-Secret Boyfriend of Beyonce.

 

Despite naysayers' doubts, the 36-year-old Jay-Z thought he was retired from music-making: "I believed it, yeah. I believed it for two years."

 

But since his "retirement," he's gone on a world tour, performed on hit records with Beyonce and other entertainers, and had a profile higher than most working rappers. There were rumblings that he was working on a new album. And in an interview with The Associated Press this summer, he said he was thinking about coming out of retirement.

 

He told Entertainment Weekly that he began tinkering in the studio over the summer.

 

"Something, when you love it, is always tugging at you and itching, and I was putting it off and putting it off. I started fumbling around to see if it felt good," he said.

 

The result: "Kingdom Come."

 

The disc is "more in the vein of `The Black Album' than `The Blueprint,'" he tells the magazine. "I've been experimenting with things, different types of music."

 

He's already recruited some A-list producer-collaborators: Timbaland, Kanye West and Dr. Dre. Even Coldplay frontman Chris Martin produced a track called "Beach Chair," he said.

 

So — for real now — when does he plan to retire?

 

"If I wake up one day and the best material has passed me by — and that's going to happen," he said, "then it's time to move on. I've said what I wanted to say."

 

AP

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'POP' PRINCESS

 

Beyoncé gets a beefcake for her belated birthday party at Canada's MuchMusic Network, where she appeared on Live@Much Thursday. The B'Day gal – who turned 25 on Sept. 4 – took airborne questions from the fans via a fleet of red balloons.

 

[fykeylicious 1,099]

that guy's abs are really disturbing

[smartypants23 0]

that guy's abs are really disturbing

exactly what i was thinking. damn.

[fykeylicious 1,099]

Destiny's Child Singer Slams 'Cruel' Beyonce

 

Singer Letoya Luckett was devastated after leaving R&B group Destiny's Child - because she felt abandoned by her former bandmates.

 

Luckett, whose sole album Letoya debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 this summer, grew up with Destiny's Child stars Beyonce Knowles and Kelly Rowland.

 

But she was left shocked when she and ex-group member Latavia Robertson were kicked out of the group without being formally told about it.

 

Luckett says, "None of the girls called up after I left the group. What I missed most was the friendship Beyonce, Kelly and I had. We had met in elementary school so the hardest things were getting over birthday's and Christmases without them."

 

"I did call Beyonce on the New Years Eve of the new millennium. I told her I missed her, I loved her and that it was a hard time. She called me three days later and told me things were over with the group and they were all going solo."

 

"But then there was another Destiny's Child album after that so I don't know what happened."

 

teenmusic

 

 

Beyonce Album Blasts To The Top

 

Beyonce Knowles has scored her biggest solo sales week on the US album charts after taking B'Day to the top of the Billboard 200.

 

The pop superstar has debuted at number one with an impressive 541,000 copies sold. The tally is Beyonce's second-highest career sales week - her former group Destiny's Child claimed the top spot with the album Survivor in 2001 after selling 663,000 copies.

 

Rock supergroup Audioslave debut in second place with Revelations (142,000 sales) and Bob Dylan's Modern Times slips to number three with 128,000 copies sold.

 

Iron Maiden debut A Matter Of Life + Death at number nine. It's the first time the British rockers have dented the album chart since 2003 and it's their first release to ever enter the top 10.

 

The only other new entry in the top 10 is Hinder's Extreme Behavior, which debuts at number 10.

 

teenmusic

[fykeylicious 1,099]

pics from ohnotheydidnt / egotastic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[MissuTam 85]

Miss B is FAB!