Jay-Z and Kanye West have the blessing of Otis Redding’s family to sample his track ‘Try a Little Tenderness’

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Jul 272011
 

The hip-hop superstars sampled the late singer’s classic tune for their track ‘Otis’ on their The Throne project, but had to get permission from the late soul singer’s estate – looked after by daughter Karla Redding-Andrews and his wife, Zelma Redding – before using it.

Karla said: “When it was brought to us, it was quite interesting. We wanted to, first of all, see the lyrics and, secondly, hear the song. We couldn’t find anything negative as it relates to the association with Otis Redding.

“My mother has protected that legacy for so many years; therefore she gave them the approval to do it.”
Karla added her family are huge fans of Jay-Z and Kanye and are pleased the rap pair will bring Otis’ music to a new generation.

She added to MTV: “It really means a lot to me, particularly to a whole new generation of young legends, because that’s what Jay-Z and Kanye are.

“I just think it’s wonderful to tie an old legendary artist whose music history will never die to something that they have come up with. I just think the collaboration was certainly a tribute to him, and it’s really great.”

‘Sitting on the Dock of the Bay’ singer Otis died in a plane crash in 1967 when he was just 26. The Throne’s album ‘Watch the Throne’ is set for release on August 8.

Jay-Z And Kanye Have Been Hosting Private Listening Parties

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Jul 242011
 

Jay-Z and Kanye West have been building anticipation for their album, “Watch the Throne,” by holding a string of hush-hush VIP listening parties.

Hova hosted a three-hour preview and discussion for bloggers at the Mercer Hotel this month. But then he and Yeezy hosted another party last week at SubMercer, which a guest called “small and really intimate.”

On Thursday, after the single “Otis” had leaked, Jay and DJ Whoo Kid spun the track at Greenhouse. Whoo Kid tacked on a 30-minute set of Jay’s hits while Jigga stood back. “He hung out in a roped-off area all night, and admirers tried to get near him,” said a spy.

LeBron James And Jay-Z Host Fifth Annual TWO KINGS Dinner presented by Bing

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Feb 212011
 

Saturday night during All-Star Weekend in LA, Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter and LeBron James took take over Craft and CAA in Los Angeles, California to co-host the Fifth Annual TWO KINGS Dinner & After Party presented by Bing.

Among the guests at the dinner, which featured a menu by Top Chef Tom Colicchio, were: Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, the evening’s guest speaker, Beyonce, Leonardo DiCaprio with girlfriend Bar Rafaeli, Ellen Pompeo with husband Chris Ivery, Kanye West, Lyor Cohen with girlfriend designer Tory Burch, Ron Howard and Jerry Bruckheimer. After Ballmer addressed the VIP crowd, Jay-Z and LeBron reflected on their day with the children at the Los Angeles Boys & Girls Club, and announced that next year’s dinner will benefit underprivileged kids to help foster their success.

After dinner, guests migrated over to the CAA building and enjoyed musical sets by DJs D Nice and DJ Mick Boogie. Seen mingling at the after party were: Ciara, Rihanna, David Arquette, Drake, Gayle King, Jamie Foxx, Ryan Philippe, Reggie Bush and Vin Diesel, amongst many others. Just past midnight, Jay-Z and Rihanna celebrated her 23rd birthday with a shot, as the DJ played her hit “What’s My Name,” to which she danced the night away.

Jay-Z and Rihanna toast to her 23rd birthday on Sunday night at the 5th Annual Two Kings Dinner and After-Party, presented by Bing

Jay-Z and LeBron James host the 5th Annual Two Kings Dinner and After-Party, presented by Bing

Ne-Yo and Rihanna attend the 5th Annual Two Kings Dinner and After-Party, presented by Bing

Hosts Jay-Z and LeBron James with Young Jeezy, Kanye West and Ne-Yo at the 5th Annual Two Kings Dinner and After-Party, presented by Bing

Ron Howard and Jerry Bruckheimer pay tribute to Jay-Z with his signature “diamond” hand sign at the 5th Annual Two Kings Dinner and After-Party, presented by Bing

Dwyane Wade, Gabrielle Union, Gayle King, and Drake attend the 5th Annual Two Kings Dinner and After-Party, presented by Bing

Host Jay-Z and Sean “Diddy” Combs at the 5th Annual Two Kings Dinner and After-Party, presented by Bing

Rihanna and John Legend attend the 5th Annual Two Kings Dinner and After-Party, presented by Bing

David Arquette and Jamie Foxx attend the 5th Annual Two Kings Dinner and After-Party, presented by Bing

Photo credit: Johnny Nunez/NUBUZZ PHOTO

Kanye West and Jay-Z have been recording together in high style at the Mercer Hotel this week

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Feb 102011
 

The artists have been working together on an album, “Watch the Throne,” to be released in the summer.

A spy reports, “They took over at least one whole floor and moved in their equipment, which may have annoyed some of the guests.”

Of working with West, Jay-Z recently said, “This is another level of recording . . . really, he’s like a brother to me — I’ve seen him from the beginning to where he is now . . . how he’s growing as a producer and as an artist, for me, on another level, it’s enjoyable.”

Reps for the artists and for the hotel didn’t get back to the media.

Jay-Z Spent $350,000 On Birkin Bags For Beyonce

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Dec 262010
 

Beyonce got some sweet gifts for Christmas. Her husband, Jay-Z, was spotted shopping at Hermes’ plush Madison Avenue boutique on Christmas Eve.

A spy reports, “Jay was in a private room of Hermes doing last-minute shopping. He had a guard standing watch outside. He spent $350,000 on Birkin bags, among other things.”

The buying binge took so long, Jay-Z missed his scheduled lunch at Nello, prompting the restaurateur to deliver his food to the store. Jay-Z has plenty to spend — he’s getting $1 million to perform at the opening of the Cosmopolitan hotel and casino in Vegas on New Year’s Eve. His rep declined to comment.

 Posted by at 4:37 am  Tagged with:

Just Call Jay-Z “X”

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Dec 162010
 

If you’re in a Starbucks and the guy next to you identifies himself to the counterman as “X,” it’s probably Jay-Z. The mogul/musician was spotted in the branch on 49th and Madison, where he was overheard politely placing an order for a venti hot chocolate.

A spy reports that when the barista asked his name — for it to be called out when his order was ready — Jay-Z replied “X,” adding, “I know, it’s not a name, it’s a letter, I know.” He then picked up his order at the end of the counter and stealthily slipped out unnoticed by the staff.

 Posted by at 6:10 am  Tagged with:

Jay Z & Beyonce Take A Vacation Down Under

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Dec 102010
 

After revealing in a touching clip from her new documentary recently that she feels very lonely when on tour, Beyonce Knowles sure looks happy to be back in the company of her rapper beau, Jay Z.

The 29-year-old Halo singer and her music mogul husband were all smiles as they enjoyed a romantic beachside seafood lunch at the exclusive Marina Mirage complex in Main Beach, Queensland Australia Wednesday.

The happy couple were both dressed for the warm weather with Beyonce in a feminine yellow two piece and Jay opting for camouflage shorts and a T-shirt.

Beyonce had paired her outfit with some pretty expensive accessories also – some towering YSL pumps and a black spiked Hermes Birkin bag, worth an estimated $30,000!

But that’s nothing for the the pair who were said to be the highest paid couple in show-business last year earning a combined $68 million.

Just yesterday it was reported that Beyonce had shed some serious cash for a birthday gift for her husband of two years.

Jay, who turned 41 on December 4, was given a $1.3 Million Bugatti Veyron car from his extravagant and generous wife.
According to the Sun, the songstress actually ordered the car over a year ago.

The Australian trip was also part of the birthday celebrations but it seemed Beyonce was the one receiving all the attention.

As the couple left the restaurant, escorted by heavy security, Jay placed a protective arm around his wife as she attempted to navigate the boardwalk in her huge heels.

The private couple married in a secret ceremony in April 2008 after six years of dating.

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