iPhone Blog Buzz 12.30.08

J.Hud To Perform at MusiCares Event Jennifer Hudson is slated to step back into the "Spotlight" with a performance at the 2009 MusiCares Person of the Year gala in Los Angeles on Feb. 6., two days before the Grammy Awards. This is J.Hud's first scheduled performance since the tragic murders of her mother, brother and nephew in October. The Oscar-winning songbird will join Coldplay, Adele and other artists in paying tribute to legendary singer-songwriter Neil Diamond. Los Angeles TimesKeyshia, Jamie Score Big Album Debuts Keyshia Cole's third effort, A Different Me, premieres at No. 1 on the latest Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart with 322,000 units moved in its first week of release, a career-best for the R&B starlet. Jamie Foxx's third disc, Intuition, follows at No. 2 with 265,300 copies sold. On the overall Billboard 200 chart, A Different Me and Intuition enter at No. 2 and No. 3, respectively. Billboard.com Anthony Gets to Point on New Disc Anthony Hamilton is known for his soulful love ballads, but on his new album, The Point of It All, the crooner steps out of the box to address societal issues. A prime example is the track "The News," which addresses crime and punishment. "I just wrote that song looking at a lot of my homeboys getting caught out there on the street life," he says. "But don't give up on them, 'cause brothers are gonna work it out."  TuneInMusicCity.com Mary, Jigga Accused of Beat Jacking Mary J. Blige and Jay-Z have been hit with a copyright-infringement lawsuit by two New Jersey-based producers. Jermaine Jump and Michael Adams are suing the Grammy-winning artists, claiming the two superstars jacked a song they produced and used it on MJB's 2005 hit "Enough Cryin'." The production duo alleges that they originally offered their song "On My Grind" to Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins in 2001, and four years later heard the same beat on the Rodney-produced "Enough Cryin'."

The Boombox The Presidential Inaugural Committee said Wednesday that the Obamas would attend 10 official balls, one more than President George W. Bush and Laura Bush attended in 2005. For ball-goers and Obama-watchers, a few questions remain: What will Michelle Obama wear? Who will perform? And will young daughters Sasha and Malia attend? No word from the committee on those fronts. Six of the official balls will be held at the Washington Convention Center, with others at Union Station, the Washington Hilton, the National Building Museum and the DC Armory. But the biggest parties this time may well be unofficial. MTV and BET are throwing televised parties, while the Creative Coalition will hold a gala to be headlined by Elvis Costello. Dionne Warwick is hosting the American Music Inaugural Ball.