Here is a new song from Michael Jackson’s recent collaboration with Akon, “Hold My Hand.”   It is unknown whether the track is from Michael Jackson’s much anticipated comeback album or Akon’s upcoming album.  Nonetheless, it is exciting to hear the King of Pop in a brand new song.

Click to download or stream.

Michael Jackson and Akon - Hold My Hand

Photo credit: Top photos, Michael Jackson, Bruce Weber/Vogue Italia, October 2007

New Music: Michael Jackson ft. Akon, “Hold My Hand”

The incomparable Grace Jones is making a comeback.   After rumor and speculation, the word is now official.

Pop sorceress, iconic diva and multimedia fashionista Grace Jones returns this year to release her first studio album in over two decades, entitled ‘Hurricane’, on October 27th, 2008 in the UK.

Grace Jones signing her record deal with Wall of Sound

Following her one off London Show at the Royal Festival Hall on June 19th for Massive Attack’s Meltdown series of concerts, which received critical acclaim across the board, cult indie label Wall of Sound today announce the release of what will be one of the most anticipated albums of the year, if not the decade. PIAS, parent company of Wall Of Sound, will also distribute the album worldwide excluding North America.

On the show itself, The Times called it a “sensational return to form”, whilst the Telegraph observed that “all around the gawping, whistling, cheering Festival Hall was the sense that this is how a star should be”. The Guardian confirmed how “she is an ongoing performance art project…what resonates is not any one song, but Jones’ unparalleled presence”.

Says Mark Jones, Managing Director of Wall of Sound - “It’s an absolute honour and privilege to be working with Grace. No one has inspired more people whatever race, sex, colour or creed to be who they want to be and so much more. Her new album will not only re-establish her as one of the world’s most important artists but also introduce her to a new generation of music lovers”.

Jones, who pioneered avant-garde pop, fashion and culture has been working with various purveyors of pop perfection. The album was produced by Ivor Guest and Grace herself and includes performances from Sly and Robbie and Brian Eno.

Source: Popjustice - Easy on the champagne, Grace…

Grace Jones at the Meltdown Festival, June 19, 2008

Here is video from her recent, critically acclaimed June 19, 2008 appearance at Meltdown Festival in London at Royal Festival Hall.

Grace Jones - Corporate Cannibal - live performance, June 19, 2008, Meltdown Festival



Via - Hard Candy - Grace Jones: ‘This Is Life’

Grace Jones - Pull Up to the Bumper - live performance, June 19, 2008, Meltdown Festival



Via -ArjanWrites.com - It’s True! Grace Jones Planning a Comeback


Grace Jones to Release “Hurricane,” First Studio Album in Two Decades

Don Cheadle received the 2008 Los Angeles Film Festival Awards Spirit of Independence Award for his outstanding contribution to film at a ceremony at the Armand Hammer Museum on June 29, 2008 in Westwood, California.  Among the attendees were Halle Berry, Taraji Henson, Loretta Devine, and Jennifer Beals.

The actor earned the honour for his commitment to artistic independence in film. Speaking before the ceremony, he joked his main motivation was “the biggest cheque probably, the most money!!”

Laughing, Don swiftly insisted that he didn’t care about cash. “No, you know, [it’s] if I love it,” he said.

“You do a movie and that’s four months out of your life and you really have to be engaged and as a producer or a director it’s even more strenuous,” he said. “So as I go on I really have to believe in the thing that I’m doing, that’s the most important thing.”

The actor added: “In my business I’ve been very blessed, very fortunate. It’s more about when you put your sweat equity in it’s gotta be something you can really get behind.”

Previous recipients of the award have included Charlize Theron, Clint Eastwood and George Clooney.

Taraji Henson, who starred alongside Don in Talk To Me, said the honour couldn’t have gone to a more deserving individual, saying: “He’s an amazing guy, incredible, totally giving, very generous. He goes far and beyond to help you look good, which in turn is going to make him look good, that’s why he’s such a professional.”

Source: Film festival honour for Don

Don Cheadle

Halle Berry

Don Cheadle has issued an apology for his dodgy English accent in the Ocean’s Eleven films.

Speaking before he received the Spirit Of Independence Award in LA for his commitment to artistic independence, the top actor joked: “Forgive me! I won’t do it again!”

Showing his self-deprecating side, Don went on to explain how he’s been forced to watch some of his award-winning performances again against his will: “I don’t like to watch them afterwards, but it’s funny because my daughter has just turned 13 and she’s now at an age where she can watch a lot of the movies I’ve done. She hasn’t been able to before.

“So I’m actually showing them to her, and I’m seeing these movies that I’ve done for the first time in years.”

The actor joked: “She thinks I suck! She’s like ‘why you talking funny daddy?’”

Source: Don apologises for English accent

Photo credit: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images North America

Halle Berry

Don Cheadle

Don Cheadle and Taraji Henson

Taraji Henson

Loretta Devine

Jennifer Beals

Photos: Don Cheadle Receives 2008 LA Film Festival Spirit of Independence Award 6-29-08