Mariah Carey Takes Fans to “Infinity” and Beyond

Recently, Mariah Carey released her new song “Infinity” that will appear on her upcoming greatest hits album, #1 to Infinity. The artist sings about love and heartbreak on this track, and many feel it may be about her soon-to-be-ex-husband Nick Cannon.

In the song, Carey sings, “Name hold weight like kilos / Boy you actin so corny like Fritos / Wouldn’t have none of that without me though / Ain’t none of my business, this tea though.” Many feel that she could be talking about Cannon because they’ve split, and Nick is known for being “corny” when he hosts America’s Got Talent.

Mariah Carey rehearses for the 82nd annual Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. (Getty Images photo/Michael Loccisano).

Carey told EXTRA the real meaning behind the song. She stated, “Infinity is like love equals you first, the line, there’s a section of the song where it’s like a chant, it’s like ‘you’re leaving, you’re leaving you’re out the door infinity loving me more and more,’ meaning you have to love yourself first, it can’t be all about somebody else’s thing or their issues it has to be you and then you can deal with the rest of the things in your life.”

Although the singer is now releasing an album under a new record label, Epic, her singing style is just as vibrant and familiar as usual. The album is scheduled to release on May 18th. It will include 18 of Mariah’s most popular hits. She will also perform the songs from the album during her residency in Las Vegas at Caesar’s Place, which will start May 6th.

Duke Ellington Born 116 Years Ago Wednesday

Yesterday, Duke Ellington would have turned 116 years old. The legendary artist died back in 1974. He remains one of the most influential figures in jazz, if not in all American music, and is widely considered as one of the twentieth century’s best known African American personalities.

Ellington was born in Washington, D.C. in 1899. He wrote his first composition in 1914 called “Soda Fountain Rag.” Duke was working various jobs to support his music career and that work ethic paid off as he and his band became a recognizable act, playing for both African-Americans and whites during a segregated era.

Duke Ellington performing on July 20, 1973 in New York. (Getty Images photo/Santi Visalli).

The artist was very musically inclined. He was a swing-band composer, arranger, conductor of jazz music, and jazz pianist. Duke referred to his music as “American Music” rather than jazz, and liked to describe those who impressed him as “beyond category.” In all, the composer wrote over a thousand compositions.

Duke rose to fame in the 1940s when he composed several pieces, including “Concerto for Cootie,” “Cotton Tail” and “Ko-Ko.” Some of his most popular songs are “It Don’t Mean a Thing if it Ain’t Got That Swing,” “Sophisticated Lady,” and “Prelude to a Kiss.”

The American composer has won many awards for his achievements in music. He has won 13 grammys, and even received the Pulitzer Prize. Also, the artist met two past presidents. In 1966, President Lyndon Johnson presented him with the President’s Gold Medal. Three years later, he met President Richard Nixon who presented him with the Medal of Freedom. Throughout his career he influenced millions of people around the world, and is still honored today.

Luther Vandross Would Have Turned 64 on the 20th

Luther Vandross was one of the last truly great R&B singers. He would’ve turned 64 last Monday. The singer was born in 1951 in Manhattan, New York City. At the age of three, having his own phonograph, he taught himself to play the piano by ear.

Vandross started his career with various background contributions and songwriting credits. They included Chaka Khan, Ben E. King, Diana Ross and Donna Summer. After two failed albums as the leader of a soul group in the late ’70s, Vandross wrote commercial jingles for Mountain Dew, Juicy Fruit and others.

Luther Vandross performing on stage. (Getty Images photo/Kevin Winter).

The singer finally had a breakthrough in his career when he became the lead singer of a group called Change. In 1980, the group released its certified gold debut album, The Glow of Love, on Warner Bros. Records. A year later, Luther went solo and signed onto Epic Records. He soon released his debut album Never Too Much.

During his career, Luther sold over 25 million records worldwide, and received eight Grammy Awards including Best Male R&B Vocal Performance four different times. In 2004 he won a total of four Grammy Awards including Song of the Year for “Dance with My Father,” which was recorded not long before his death.

Luther Vandross was an American singer, songwriter and record producer. He is best known for his hits, “Dance with My Father,” “Never Too Much,” “Here and Now,” and “Any Love.”

Mary J. Blige Believes New Artists Can Learn From Rihanna

The fight to be unique in today’s music industry is easier said than done, especially when there is a record label calling the shots. R&B artist Mary J. Blige knows a thing or two about being your own individual, but she also understands that it’s a battle.

The singer tells Elle, “I think, and it’s not the artist, but they have to fight for what they want and their identities and stuff like that. The fact [is] that everyone at these labels wants to do what everyone [else] is doing. You have to look like her; you have to be like her; you have to sing like her, and no one can express themselves.”

Mary J. Blige and Rihanna attend the Zac Posen fashion show at Vanderbilt Hall. (Getty Images photo/Chelsea Lauren).

Blige said that Rihanna was the perfect example of an artist who does her own thing. She states, “I look at Rihanna and I am so proud of her.” She then added, “She speaks loudly! You have to stand up and clap. She expresses herself through fashion. She actually can sing. And her songs mean something, even to me, you know?”

Mary J. Blige is an American singer, songwriter, model, record producer, and actress. She started her career as a background singer on Uptown Records in 1989. Since releasing her first album in 1992, the singer has released 11 studio albums and made over 150 guest appearances on other albums and soundtracks. Blige has won nine Grammy Awards, and been nominated for thirty Grammy Awards. In addition, eight of Mary’s albums have reached multi-platinum status in the United States.

Empire Distribution Files Lawsuit Against FOX

Recently, FOX network has had a lawsuit filed against them by a music distribution company called Empire Distribution. The company applied for the rights to “Empire”, “Empire Distribution”, and “Empire Recordings”. There is a movie called “Empire Records” but there is no word that the company has filed a lawsuit against the people involved with the film.

A scene in the show “Empire”. (Fox images photo/Chuck Hodes).

Empire Distribution thinks that FOX has no right to use the word “Empire” for their TV show. They believe that FOX is using their name, so they are willing to sue for the rights. The company distributes and publishes music with artists like Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg, Sean Paul, and many more. Empire distribution also claims that it is being hurt by the fictitious label on the show.

The company is willing to compromise if they are paid eight million dollars by FOX. They have even lowered the price to five million if some of their artists are featured on the show “Empire”.

However, FOX is refusing to pay the amount. They are currently filing a lawsuit to ask a judge to declare Empire distribution’s claim illegitimate. Considering that the distribution company is found on the seventh page of Google, FOX feels that the company is obscure.

FOX is reluctant to change the name of the TV show, because it has had seen a lot of success for the music featured in the show. In the week that the Empire soundtrack was debuted, it reached No. 1 on Top R&B/ Hip Hop Albums. This made it the first soundtrack to ever crown the 50 year list. The soundtrack also made No. 1 on the Billboard’s 200 Chart.