Quick Hits: Ellie Goulding, 50 Cent, Madonna, Matt & Kim, D'Angelo / Mary J. Blige
July 30, 2012
UK singer-songwriter Ellie Goulding is currently riding the success of her single "Lights" in the U.S., off her 2010 release of the same name. However, Goulding just announced her sophomore album, Halcyon, which will be out October 9. The lead single is titled "Anything Can Happen."
50 Cent
50 Cent's long-awaited new album, Street King Immortal, has a November 13 release date. The record has seen multiple delays but over the weekend, Fiddy released the lead single "New Day." The track was produced by Dr. Dre, who also raps on the song, and features Alicia Keys singing the chorus. Keys recently released her own version of "New Day," which could be slated for her own upcoming album.
Last week, Madonna's last-minute concert in Paris came under fire for running just 45 minutes long, with fans complaining about the show online. MTV News reports that Madonna's publicist said the concert was always slated as a 45 minute set and "not billed as her full MDNA concert." Over the weekend, Madonna wrote a blog post as well, saying that "Playing the Olympia was a magical moment for me and it was real treat to do this special show for my fans and be so close to them. Unfortunately at the end of the show - after I left the stage - a few thugs who were not my fans rushed the stage and started throwing plastic bottles pretending to be angry fans. The press reports have focused on this and not the joyous aspect of the evening. But nothing can take away or ruin this very special evening for me and my fans. When I looked out in the audience, everyone I saw had a smile on their face. I look forward to having this wonderful experience again."
Alt-pop duo Matt and Kim have announced a fall headlining tour in support of their upcoming album Lightning (due out October 2). The trek begins October 3 in South Burlington, VT and wraps up in Montclair, NJ on November 17.
D'Angelo and Mary J. Blige have expanded their upcoming co-headlining tour, adding five shows in Las Vegas; Concord, CA; Universal City, CA; Clarkson, MI and Chicago. The tour begins August 18 in Virginia Beach, VA and now runs up to September 15 in Chicago.