, Don Cornelius'

The Los Angeles Police Department revealed earlier today that the body of legendary Soul Train host, Don Cornelius’ body was discovered dead around 4 a.m. in his Sherman Oaks, California., home. He was pronounced dead at 4:56 a.m. at Cedars-Sinai hospital from a a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

75 year old Cornelius was a disc jockey, who would then help make music history by launching the syndicated music show, Soul Train in 1970.The show started as a local show in Chicago, and took off nationally later that year.  It became a landmark platform for music in Black America. Like American Bandstand did for Rock and Roll/Pop music before it, Soul Train was historic platform for the black community’s impact on Pop culture with R&B/Soul music  It featured trend-setting black dancers as well as breakout performances from Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin and, The O’Jays,  Barry White and others. The impact of Soul Train lead to Cornelius the annual Soul Train Awards as well.

Cornelius was host of Soul Train until 1993, and the show wrapped up in 2006 after 35 years, setting a record with the longest run in national syndication of any series ever.

Cornelius received a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, and in 1995, and was inducted into the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame.

Despite his professional achievements,it was no secret that the man had a very troubled personal life. Cornelius was arrested for misdemeanor domestic violence for beating his then-wife in 2008. He pled no contest and served three years probation. The couple divorced in 2010.

Soul Train

“The Hippest Trip In America”

(VH1 Rock Docs)

VH1

Adele

Current GRAMMY nominee Adele will make her much anticipated return to the live stage on the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards. This will be her first time performing live in nearly five months since being forced to cancel a sold-out U.S. tour to undergo surgery on her vocal cords. Additional performers, presenters and special segments will be announced soon.

“I’m immensely proud to have been asked to perform at this year’s GRAMMY Awards,” said Adele. “It’s an absolute honor to be included in such a night, and for it to be my first performance in months is very exciting and of course nerve-racking, but what a way to get back into it all.”

Two-time GRAMMY winner Adele has six nominations: Record Of The Year, Song Of The Year and Best Short Form Music Video for “Rolling In The Deep”; Album Of The Year and Best Pop Vocal Album for 21; and Best Pop Solo Performance for “Someone Like You.”

Previously announced performers for the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards include Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson; Glen Campbell with the Band Perry and Blake Shelton; Coldplay and Rihanna; Foo Fighters; Bruno Mars; Paul McCartney; Nicki Minaj; and Taylor Swift. Aldean, the Band Perry, Minaj, and Shelton will perform on the GRAMMY telecast for the first time, while Adele, Campbell, Clarkson, Coldplay, Foo Fighters, Mars, McCartney, Rihanna, and Swift are returning to the GRAMMY stage. LL Cool J, who has hosted “The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music’s Biggest Night” since its inception in December 2008, will be hosting the annual GRAMMY Awards telecast for the first time.

The 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards are produced by John Cossette Productions and AEG Ehrlich Ventures for The Recording Academy. Ken Ehrlich is executive producer, Louis J. Horvitz is director, and David Wild and Ken Ehrlich are the writers.

The 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards will take place live on Sunday, Feb. 12 at Staples Center in Los Angeles and will be broadcast in high definition and 5.1 surround sound on the CBS Television Network from 8–11:30 p.m. (ET/PT). The show also will be supported on radio worldwide via Westwood One/Dial Global, and covered online at GRAMMY.com and CBS.com, and on YouTube.

Follow GRAMMY.com for our inside look at GRAMMY news, blogs, photos, videos, and of course nominees. Stay up to the minute with GRAMMY Live. Check out the GRAMMY legacy with GRAMMY Rewind. Explore this year’sGRAMMY Fields. Or check out the collaborations at Re:Generation, presented by Hyundai Veloster. And join the conversation at Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

Jason Mraz "I Won't Give Up" Atlantic Records

“I Won’t Give Up,” the heartfelt new single from Atlantic recording artist Jason Mraz, is quickly proving the first undeniable pop smash of the New Year.  One week from its release, the song debuted in the #1 slot on Billboard’s “Digital Songs” chart, with sales surpassing 225,000.  At iTunes alone, “I Won’t Give Up” has topped the retailer’s “Top Songs” and “Top Pop Songs” charts for the past week.  Released one week ago with little fanfare, no radio play or major broadcast visibility, reaction to the song has been nothing short of phenomenal.

Debuted quietly on Mraz’s site on January 3 via a lyric video, “I Won’t Give Up” spread lightning-fast online, gathering love and praise from an array of famous names, including Ellen DeGeneres, Colbie Callait, Rob Thomas, Perez Hilton, and Lady Antebellum, all of whom have taken to their Twitter feeds to tweet about the track.  The lyric video has since surpassed 2.5 million individual views at Mraz’s official YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdN5GyTl8K0.   

The song is the first #1 debut on Billboard’s “Digital Songs” chart since last August’s “She Will” by Lil’ Wayne featuring Drake.  Outside of the U.S., “I Won’t Give Up” has also topped digital retailer charts around the world.

“I Won’t Give Up” heralds the GRAMMY® Award-winning tunesmith’s eagerly awaited new album, slated for release on May 8^th.  The track will be delivered to multi-format radio outlets nationwide in late January, and Mraz will perform the song live on the February 16^th installment of “Today.”

Fans will get a chance to watch Mraz perform the song via live stream of  a special acoustic performance from the BING Bar in Park City, Utah on January 20^th at 1 PM Mountain time, sponsored by ASUS and Intel.   The acoustic set will be streamed live through his Facebook page, www.facebook.com/jasonmraz.  Jason’s performance is the culmination of his six month journey with ASUS and Intel as part of their In Search of Incredible campaign.  More information on the search, including a special global web series with Jason shot in the MojaveDesert, London, and Morocco, can be found at www.insearchofincredible.com. 

One of the modern era’s most gifted pop troubadours, Jason Mraz’s extraordinary musical journey has taken him from coffee houses to stadiums all over the world, with two GRAMMY® Awards and six nominations already to his credit.  His 2008 third album, “WE SING. WE DANCE. WE STEAL THINGS.” was an indelible global blockbuster, earning gold, platinum and multi-platinum certifications in 21 countries around the world.  The album’s lead single, “I’m Yours” was ASCAP’s 2010 “Song of the Year” and also holds the record for being the longest-running song in the history of the Billboard “Hot 100” chart.  A prolific songwriter, Mraz has been feted with a number of honors, including the Songwriters Hall of Fame’s esteemed “Hal David Starlight Award,” presented to gifted songwriters who are making a significant impact in the music industry via their original songs. 

Mraz spent much of 2011 road-testing the songs from his as-yet-untitled new album touring alongside his longtime friend, percussionist Noel “Toca” Rivera.  The worldwide trek – which included performances in North America, Africa, Europe, Asia, and Australia – saw Mraz celebrating music’s lasting power to inspire change and help others through global citizenship.  Among the journey’s many highlights were multiple sold out shows at such iconic venues as Australia’s Sydney Opera House, New York City’s Carnegie Hall, and Spreckels Theatre in Mraz’s adopted hometown of San Diego.

Long known for his many philanthropic activities, Mraz recently announced the establishment of the Jason Mraz Foundation, devoted to supporting a number of charities for which he has been a dedicated and impassioned advocate.  Mraz created the Foundation – http://jasonmraz.com/foundation/ – to sustain organizations aligned with his four pillars of service:  human equality, environment preservation, arts and education, and recovery and assistance. 

Jason Mraz

“I Won’t Give Up”

Atlantic Records

For more, please see www.jasonmraz.com and www.atlanticrecords.com.

Sean "Diddy" Combs

Yesterday, BroadcastingandCable.com reported exclusively  that Hip Hop Mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs has plans to add cable network owner to his list of  many titles.  Sources with knowledge of Combs’ plans have said he will launch a new music themed network known as Revolt. One source described the new media venture, “as the old days of MTV, but for more of the African American audience.”

Sources say that former MTV programming chief Andy Schuon is involved with Revolt.  Prior to Revolt, Schuon’s founded Vivendi/Universal’s, IMF, (International Music Feed), a 24 hour music network. IMF was discontinued when it was acquired by Ovation TV in 2008.

It’s too early to tell, but many suspect that cable and multimedia giant Comcast is likely to be distributing Revolt as part of its commitment to the FCC to help launch minority owned networks. This is because corporate press materials from April indicate that Comcast began soliciting proposals for “independent channels,” with the intent of launching 10 separate networks in the next eight years.  A Comcast source told Broadcasting And Cable that if Revolt does become one of these 10 new networks in development, it will be added to  ”select Comcast systems as part of the D1 digital tier,” indicating a projected launch of 10 million house holds for Revolt to initially reach.

Comcast would not officially confirm if they were involved with the new network, saying no announcements have been made regarding the “well over 100″ proposals that could potentially be one of the 10 green lit networks that are part of this media expansion effort.  The rep says that negotiations are still in progress and they hope to have an answer soon.

Although Comcast was unable to comment at this time, some version of Revolt, and/or a Diddy owned network is in discussion through out the cable industry.  Sources say that Time Warner Cable may also be interested in distributing Diddy’s new network. A rep for the cable distributor has been quoted as saying, “some discussions” regarding Revolt and Diddy has taken place, but that Time Warner did not have an official comment.

Though distribution commitments have yet to be officially confirmed, several media sources are indicating that Diddy’s Revolt will be “ready for business” by December.  Combs’ Bad Boy Entertainment had no comment on Revolt at this time.  It will be interesting to see how and if this network comes to be.

While Combs’ business ventures outside of media like Sean John Clothing Inc. and Ciroc Vodka have remained a strong prsence in the marketplace, Revolt is now an example of his aspirations to also continue to  grow within the entertainment world.  Since he was a teenager Combs has always had a strong desire to not only be a part of the music industry, but also use his knowledge of branding marketing, and over all image to push the boundries of where it could go. This is an example of what his new business partner, Interscope Records co-founder and chairman, Jimmy Iovine has called “moving the needle”  in his “Tanning Eeffect” interview with advertising executive, Steve Stout. Now after being a record executive, performer, song writer and producer, Revolt will provide Combs an opportunity to ”Move the needle” for the music industry to the ultimate level.

Diddy and his team will more than likely fuel Revolt with  a rejuvenated passion for doing music oriented projects.  That passion’s effectiveness in the market place can already be seen through the efforts of  Bad Boy Records’ the newly formed relationship with Interscope.  Since teaming up with Interscope’s Iovine, Combs has made a sincere effort to rebrand his flagship company, wth the exciting new talent of rappers Machine Gun Kelly and French Montana, as well as helping breathe new life in the career of acclaimed rapper, Red Cafe. This is all hapening  while Diddy and other movers and shakers with Interscope, are  helping reinvent the revenue stream  for the music business.  Diddy’s, “Diddy Beat” headphones hardware with Beats By Dr. Dre, and Bad Boy’s music used in commercials synergistically promoting it, is helping show that music brands are just as quantifiable as they have ever been. The culture of music and its experience is the same in many ways. The product sold is what evolving. This kind of free innovative thinking, combined with Combs’ career defining passion to break new ground shows that Revolt has potential to really be a trail blazer for music’s life and role on television.

Diddy-Dirty Money Featuring Rick Ross And Nicki Minaj

“Hello Good Morning” (Remix) (Featurinf “Diddy Beats Headphones)

Bad Boy/Interscope Records

Bad Boy Films On TV

Making The Band 4

(Season 2 Trailer)

MTV

Run’s House

Season 5 Trailer

MTV

Jay Sean "The Mistress" Jayded/Cash Money/Universal Republic Records

Cash Money Records’ singing sensation, Jay Sean caught up with Craig and Matt of Clizbeats.com, while on tour with Joe Jonas and Jojo. He took time to reflect on the massive success he enjoyed with his American debut album, All Or Nothing and its monster hit “Down.” He also tells the story behind his R&B mixtape, The Mistress, and let’s his fans know what to expect from his upcoming album, Freeze Time. After you are finished enjoying the interview, be sure to download Jay Sean’s mixtape, The Mistress below!

CLICK HERE FOR TO DOWNLOAD JAY SEAN’S MIXTAPE, “THE MISTRESS”

CLICK HERE FOR CLIZBEATS.COM’S 2010 PROJECTS WITH JAY SEAN!

Audio Feature Credits

Host: Matt Clizbe

Interview By Craig Clizbe & Matt Clizbe

Written, Produced, Mixed And Engineered By: Craig Clizbe

Special Thanks: Jay Sean, Thara Natalie,  Matt Rector, Anna Mackiewicz, Jessica Andrews All Access Fans Inc. , Wright Entertainment Group, Jayded/Cash Money/Universal Republic Records

Jason Mraz

Last week saw the online debut of “I Won’t Give Up” by Jason Mraz.  In an effort to sort things out and see whats what, Clizbeats talked with Jason’s reps over at Atlantic records. They told us that they didn’t plan for  ”I Won’t Give Up” to be a single, but they are pleased with how well it is being reacted to. Usually, when labels talk like that, it’s because the song was leaked, and they’re now either trying to catch up to it’s momentum, or they’re shifting from the what they already had planned to accommodate  the public’s unexpected demand.  Whatever the case may, it looks like a good problem for Atlantic to have.  After watching the song’s viral splash, the label  made it officially availible for sale and promotion, only to watch it skyrocket to the top of the ITunes chart in a matter of days.  There’s no big surprise to us there.  The song is fantastic!

It may not have been a single before, but it is now, by popular demand.  We can’t wait to see what else Jason comes up with for what’s expected to be his highly anticipated 4th album..   Take a listen and hear what all the hype is about.

Jason Mraz

“I Won’t Give Up”

Atlantic Records

Jason Mraz

“I Won’t Give Up

Jay-Z & Beyonce

Update:

“Lenox Hill Hospital and its staff were delighted to welcome the Carter family for the birth of their firstborn on Saturday evening, but we are troubled by the misinformation being circulated in some news media reports,” Danza said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter on Monday afternoon. “The suggestion that the couple paid $1.3 million to rent an entire maternity floor is simply not true. The family is housed in an executive suite at the hospital and is being billed the standard rate for those accommodations.  Our executive suites are available for any patient, including the food service and amenities provided to the Carter family.”

Update:

Jay-Z Samples Daughters Voice For Tribute Song Click here!

Perhaps the biggest news to break in the world of music over the weekend had to do with Rapper/Hip Hop mogul Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter and his Pop star wife Beyonce Knowles having their first child.  Reports indicate that Beyonce checked into her  labor room in Lennox Hill Hospital on Saturday.  The room was said to be located on a floor that was rented out by Jay-z to ensure the couple’s  privacy.  That privacy reportedly cost $1.4 million.  Born into an instant fame, this daughter of Hip Hop is named Blue Ivy Carter.

Born into instant fame, this daughter of Hip Hop already has the rumor mills swirling with speculation as to the meaning behind her unique name.  These rumors have ranged from understandable to ridiculous  very quickly.  After taking a moment to process all of them, the most common reasonable ones are that she is named Blue because it is his favorite color, and is a deliberate reference of personal significance to his popular Blueprint trilogy of albums. Ivy on the other hand is in reference to the Roman Numeral 4. (IV) This is because the number 4 is considered to be a lucky number to Beyonce.  She told Billboard Magazine, ”We all have special numbers in our lives, and 4 is that for me. It’s the day I was born. My mother’s birthday, and a lot of my friends’ birthdays, are on the fourth; April 4 is my wedding date.”

Many Jay-Z fans also learned that he too was born on December 4th, thanks to his popular The Black Album track called “December 4th”. Maybe Beoncey is on to something.  Between the two of them, they seem to have plenty of luck.  Many blessings to your expanded family Jay-z and Beyonce.

Related Media:

Jay-Z

“December 4th”

From: The Black Album

Roc-a-fella/Def Jam Records/IDJMG

Jarson DeRulo "Future History" Beluga Heights/Warner Bros. Records

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Beluga Heights/Warner Bros. Records  Pop star,Jason DeRulo, who fractured his neck yesterday (January 5) during rehearsals and Tweeted the story to his fans.

Warner Bros. Records released this statement on the singer’s behalf

: “To all my fans who planned to come to the Future History world tour, the pain of letting you down cuts me way deeper than this injury I’ve sustained. My fans mean everything to me, so I’m praying for a speedy recovery in order to perform for you in the near future.”

Jason’s tour has ultimately been cancellled for the time being. Keep checking in with us as we bring you updates on his recovery as we learn them. Until then be on the look out for Jason’s new single, “Fight For You”, which was released promotionally shortly before the Christmas holiday, from his current album, Future History.

Jason DeRulo Breaks His Neck

Jason DeRulo

“Fight For You”

From Future History

Beluga Heights/Warner Bros. Records

Matt Clizbe, Robin Thicke, Craig Clizbe At World Cafe Live In Philadelphia December, 2011

Happy new year everyone! After taking a break over the Christmas and New Year holiday, Clizbeats is back and going strong! Asyou can see we had some great holiday content for you during the break, but for us as many close to Clizbeats know, the work never stops! Just before the new year we caught up with our old friend, Robin Thicke at Philadelphoa’s World Cafe Live! After hanging out with us that night, Robin called us the next day to talk about a little bit of everything! Stay tuned for our new interview with him coming soon! In the interview we discuss his album, Love After War, being a dad, and his wife, Mission Impossible 4 star, Paula Patton. Until the interview is posted, check out these cool photos from our night at World Cafe Live, thanks to our friends Michael Leary, and Taragirl!

 Related Media

Robin Thicke

“Love After War”

From Love After War

Star Trak/Geffen/Interscope Records

Mission Impossible 4: Ghost Protocol

Skydance/Bad Robot/TC Productions/Paramount Pictures

We would like to send big congratulations to one of our favorite singer/songwriter/producers, Bruno Mars! He has become one of the year’s highest performing artists on 2011’s year end chart! After bursting on to the music scene in 2010 first singing on and /writing/producing on B.O.B’s  “Nothing On You”, Bruno has been on a hot streak all through the year of 2011. He has produced hits for other artists like Bad Meets Evil (Eminem & Royce Da 5’’9’), Travie McCoy, Cee-Lo and Far East Movement among others! He also has had also helped redefine the boundaries of soulful Pop as an artist, with many hits off of his Elektra/Atlantic Records’ debut album, Doo Wop And Hooligans. That album produced the hit singles “Just The Way You Are”, “Grenade”, The Lazy Song” and “Marry You.” All of those songs scored Top 10 status on various charts around the world, and have had a huge impact as major Pop music for 2011, not only commercially but critically.

  As a producer first, the 26 year old has been able to successfully inject a timeless feel of doo wop soul into his music and mix it with some very emotionally driven song concepts with contemporary meaning. He has done this while using his instrumentally driven sound of either piano or guitar to show a different side to him with each song. On one song he can be clearly compared to Elvis Presley on a guitar driven track with Rock flair, the next, a piano ballad that sounds like a classic cut by Donny Hathaway. Bruno and his production/song writing partners, Philip Lawrence and Ari Levine, A.k.A., The Smeezingtons have shown an ability to do it all with an integrity and wisdom that is arguably far beyond their years. This is because at a young age Bruno has been able to survive record deals gone bad, and like Ryan Tedder, Robin Thicke and Ne-Yo before him, develop his craft into creating a production sound all his own, rather than being endorsed by a producer like Justin Timberlake with The Neptunes/Timbaland and Chris Brown with Sean Garrett/Scott Storch for example.

 Those skills have allowed him to not only be a trail blazer with his own sound, but it also explains why oftentimes when he collaborates and produces with other artists, his contributions can be considered the leading characteristic that helped make that song a hit. Some of the best examples of this are when Bruno’s vocals are the first thing heard on B.O.B.’s breakout hit, “Nothing On You”, or when his hook also dominates the direction of the song “Lighters” by Eminem and Royce Da 5’9’. (Bad Meets Evil). No matter if Bruno was writing with Flo Rida and Ke$ha on a party track like “Right Round”, or getting reflective recently on “Mirror” with Lil Wayne for Tha Carter IV, he has approached each different type of song topic that he has been a part of with the same amount originality, and use his skills to help score an idea, each one of those providing a very visual escape a little different than the last. With that said, it is easy to see why even though his music is phenomenal without question, his many layers as a young performer show how sometimes radio music directors do not always know how to place him. Some songs sound like he is more R&B, some sound rocking, and others even have a Jazz influence to them. While this has been a very understandable problem for other artists in the past, Bruno has proven that this has been a good problem for him to have.

 His music has found a place in many different circles based on the merits of the song’s strength of melody alone. How else could a song he co wrote and produced for Cee-Lo Green originally called “F*** You”, go on to be sang by Gwyneth Paltrow on Fox’s Glee, and eventually be featured in Disney’s 2011 film, The Muppets? 2011’s year end charts show that no matter how you describe his music, he has done nothing short of define the Pop music of today! Bruno has become Billboard’s, Top Male Hot 100 Artist of the Year, Top Hot 100 Producer of the Year (The Smeezingtons), Top Male Radio Songs Artist, Top Male Digital Songs Artist, Top Adult Contemporary Artist of the Year, Top Male Adult Pop Songs Artist, and Adult Contemporary Song of the Year (“Just The Way You Are”). The coolest part about all this is that he is just getting started. All these accolades are primarily based on the success of only his first album! The best is yet to come for Bruno, now that he put a cap on the year by contributing “It Will Rain” as the first single to the wildly successful Twilight film, Twilight Saga; Breaking Dawn Part 1. We at Clizbeats are very excited to see what else he has in store for us. Keep up the good work!

Bruno Mars

“It Will Rain”

From Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 Soudrack

Summit Entertainment/Chop Shop/Atlantic Records

Bruno Mars

“The Lazy Song?

From DOO-WOPS & HOOLIGANS

Elektra/Atlantic Records

Bruno Mars

“Grenade”

From DOO-WOPS & HOOLIGANS

Elektra/Atlantic Records

Bruno Mars

“Just The Way You Are”

From DOO-WOPS & HOOLIGANS

Elektra/Atlantic Records

Bruno Mars

“Marry You”

From DOO-WOPS & HOOLIGANS

Elektra/Atlantic Records

Lil Wayne Featuring Bruno Mars

“Mirror”

From Tha Carter IV

Cash Money/Universal Republic Records

Bad Meets Evil Featuring Bruno Mars

“Lighters” (Explicit)

From Hell: The Sequel

Shady/Interscope Records

Travie McCoy Featuring Bruno Mars

“Billionare” (Explicit)

From Lazarus

Fueled By Ramen/Decaydance/Atlantic Records

B.O.B. Featuring Bruno Mars

From B.O.B. Presents: The Adventures Of Boby Ray

Rebel Rock/Grand Hustle/Atlantic Records

Cee-Lo Green

“Forget You”

From The Lady Killer

Elektra/Atlantic Records

Far East Movement Featuring Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic

“Rocketeer”

From Free Wired

Cherrytree/Interscope Records

Flo Rida Featuring Ke$ha

“Right Round”

From R.O.O.Ts.

Poe Boy Music Group/Atlantic Records

Glee Cast

“Marry You”

Ryan Murphy Productions/20th Century Fox/Columbia Records

Glee Cast

“Just The Way You Are”

Ryan Murphy Productions/20th Century Fox/Columbia Records

Glee Cast Featuring Gwyneth Paltrow

“Forget You”

Ryan Murphy Productions/20th Century Fox/Columbia Records

Camilla and the Chickens

“Forget You”

From Walt Disney Pictures’ The Muppets Soundtrack

Walt Disney Records