Quick Hits: Mariah Carey-BMI, Kanye West, Paul McCartney, Cee Lo Green, Led Zeppelin, Rome
September 10, 2012
Mariah Carey was given the BMI Icon award at Friday night's BMI Urban Awards event. A number of artists, including Eric Benet and Fantasia paid tribute to Carey with a series of covers of her hits. Drake and Lil Wayne shared honors as Songwriter Of The Year. "Super Bass" from Nicki Minaj was named Song of the Year and the fan-voted BMI Social Star Award went to Mac Miller.
The full tracklist for Kanye West's long-awaited G.O.O.D. Music compilation Cruel Summer has been revealed via Amazon. The collection, now set for an end-of-summer release date of September 18, features West on seven of the 12 tracks. Other artists appearing on Cruel Summer include Ghostface Killah, R. Kelly, Pusha T, Kid Cudi, Raekwon, The-Dream, John Legend, Jadakiss, Common, Big Sean and more.
Sir Paul McCartney has announced four new North American tour dates this fall. The Beatle will play St. Louis (11/11), Houston (11/14), Vancouver (11/25) and Edmonton (11/28). Macca was also honored over the weekend with France's highest public honor. Reuters reports that McCartney was named an officer of the Legion Of Honour in a short ceremony at President Francois Hollande's palace on Saturday.
Cee Lo Green
Cee Lo Green is developing a sitcom with NBC, the home of his current TV gig on The Voice. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Cee Lo's Emerald Productions has inked a deal to develop and produce new projects, including a potential sitcom based on his life.
Led Zeppelin began a mysterious countdown over the weekend on the band's official Facebook page, counting down from "Five" onward. It is unknown what the Rockers will reveal this Thursday when it reaches Zero, but The Guardian reports the announcement will merely be a new DVD recapping their 2007 reunion concert.
Rome will head out on his first-ever headlining tour, in support of his new solo EP Dedication. The tour begins in Solana Beach, CA on November 2 with dates announced up to November 14 in Towson, MD.