Did Usher plagiarise Homer Simpson? R&B star accused of stealing Springfield star's song

By GEORGINA LITTLEJOHN

Doh! Two lines from Usher's OMG sound exactly the same as Homer Simpson's Christmas song from an episode in 2003
A video playing two lines from Usher's smash hit song OMG was cut together with two lines from a Christmas carol that Homer attempts to write in an episode called Dude, Where's My Ranch? from 2003.


He's one of the biggest R&B stars in the world with one gold and five platinum albums to his name.

But despite his lauded songwriting abilities, it would seem that even Usher is not safe from being accused of plagiarism.

And the artist in question that he has been accused of stealing from? Homer Simpson.

Usher - who collaborates with Black Eyed Peas star will.i.am on the song - is heard singing: 'honey got a booty like pow, pow, pow. Honey got some boobies like wow, oh wow.'

The video then cuts to a still of Homer on a giant keyboard as the two lines from his song are played which go: 'Christmas in December, wow wow wow. Give me tons of presents , now now now.'

Then the video has a mash-up of the two, and shows that it is either a massive coincidence or Usher has stolen the hook, been massively inspired by Homer's song or just paid homage to the lovable character.

The discovery was made by breakfast show DJs at Y101, a radio station that broadcasts out of Jackson, the capital of US state Mississippi.


Pow pow pow: Usher struts his stuff while singing the lines in the video for OMG


They cut the video and posted it on YouTube which led to hundreds of comments on the site and fan forums everywhere.

On buzzfeed.com, someone wrote: 'I read the title and in my head, I immediately went. CHRISTMAS IN DECEMBER WOW WOW WOWWW.'

Another wittily added: 'One song is awesome and funny, the other song is talentless and annoying as f***. Which is which?'

But Usher fans also came out in full support of the star on the Entertainment Weekly website one wrote: 'I see the connection, but I bet Usher has more important stuff to do then watch a seven year old Simpsons episode and think “That’d be a great song!”. It doesn’t make any sense.'


Christmas carol: Homer dances on a keyboard as he sings his lyrics in his made up festive tune


However, this is not the first time that usher has been accused of stealing someone's song, as last month, a singer called Wadena Pyatt filed a lawsuit against him and singer Alicia Keys, claiming his hit song, 'Caught Up', was stolen from her.

She claims got a record contract with Alicia Keys’ MBK Entertainment label in 2003 and wrote the cut for inclusion on her debut album but when she heard the song on Usher’s Confessions album, but she was not listed as one of the songwriters.

Pyatt is demanding damages for profits received from sales of the track, which was released as a single in 2004.




source: dailymail

Ladies' man: Charmer Cardle parties with former S Club girl at his hotel - despite 'no women' pledge after winning X Factor

By JODY THOMPSON

Eyes down: X Factor winner Matt Cardle appears to be checking out Stacey McLean's rear view as they walk down a corridor near the suite at London's May Fair hotel where he currently lives


Just last week he pledged he was giving up women to concentrate fully on his new career - but former painter and decorator Matt Cardle celebrated landing his first solo Number One last night with a beautiful brunette.

The sex-mad single Essex lad, 27, had said he'd sworn off the ladies so he could knuckle down and capitalise on his X Factor win.

But after going straight into the singles charts at Number One last night with debut solo single When We Collide, he was spotted with former S Club Juniors' and 2009 X Factor wannabe Stacey McLean, 21, at his hotel.

The pair had met earlier - and flirted outrageously - at an S Club Juniors reunion party that evening.


Close: Matt smooths Stacey's hair, unaware he's been seen


They then decided to continue the party at the hotel's Palm Beach Casino next to the hotel, but had to brave the cold night air - and photographers - to get there.

Asked just last week about how girls would now throw themselves at him following his victory in the X Factor, he said: 'It is pretty shallow and I am wary of why they are like that. I am not thinking about sex.'


You bet: Matt gambles on continuing the good time by taking Stacey - and his bodyguard - to the Palm Beach Casino near the hotel


Despite being being linked with stylist Grace Woodward, dancer Sarah Robinson and make-up artist Lauren Clements during the series, Matt insisted: 'I am not going to let things get in the way. I'm really going to knuckle down.

'I want the songs right, the album right and my career right before I think of anything like that.'


When we collide? Stacey seemed very attracted to Matt as they chatted in the bar at the May Fair Hotel, just hours after he learned he'd landed his first solo Number One



'Look, you're No. 1'! Stacey appears to be showing Matt the singles chart on her phone



You're so funny!: The former S Club Juniors star made a big show at laughing at all of Matt's hilarious jokes


However, it seems his head was somewhat turned last night by former teenybopper Stacey, nickname CeCe.

She was in S Club Juniors, also known as S Club 8, along with Frankie Sandford and Rochelle Wiseman, now of The Saturdays. They group - an offshoot of S Club 7 - split in 2004 after just three years together.


Sunday night out: The Saturdays Rochelle Wiseman and Frankie Sandford both joined their former S Club Juniors bandmates for a reunion at the May Fair Hotel last night



One night only: All eight former members of S Club Juniors pose for the camera at London's Jewell bar earlier in the evening (L-R), including Hannah Richings, Stacey, Calvin Goldspink, Aaron Renfree, Daisy Evans, Frankie, Rochelle and Jay Asforis


However, Stacey has yet to match some of her former bandmates' successes, and though she auditioned for the X Factor last year, only got down to the last six.

She's about to star in G*MANIA, a Glee-inspired musical about to tour the UK.


All smiles: Matt shows no sign of his big night out as he gets ready to sign copies of his new book at Waterstones in London


Matt meanwhile is meeting his adoring public later today with the launch of his autobiography at Waterstones flagship London store on Piccadilly.

Matt Tweeted: 'Looking forward to the book signing :) waterstones in Piccadilly if anyone fancy's some light reading this morning, if anyone fancy's some light reading ! Xx love u aiden . . Xx'

Matt Cardle: My Story was rush-released after he won the X Factor final on December 12.

He beat Rebecca Ferguson into second place and One Direction came third.


Matt Cardle - When We Collide (Official Music Video 2010)



source: dailymail

X Factor winner Matt Cardle is Christmas Number One with debut single When We Collide

By SARAH BULL

Success: Matt Cardle, seen out in London last night, has achieved the Christmas number one


X Factor winner Matt Cardle has clinched the Christmas Number One with his debut single When We Collide.

The 27-year-old singer's cover of Biffy Clyro's track sold 439,000 copies in six days, and beat stars including Rihanna to the coveted top spot.

After finding out he had achieved the Christmas number one, Matt said: 'I can't believe it. As if winning wasn't enough. I honestly didn't think I'd even make it on to the live shows, let alone win and now be the Christmas number one.

'I can't even begin to describe how if feels. It's nuts, crackers and crazy. To think that many people have supported me and bought the record is absolutely mind blowing.'


Popular: Matt's cover of Biffy Clyro's When We Collide sold 439,000 copies in six days


There have been various internet campaigns to stop Matt getting to number one, including a re-release of the original track from Biffy Clyro, called Many Of Horror.
However, the track only charted at number eight.

Other attempts came from The Trashmen, who reached number three with their novelty track Surfing Bird, and anti-X Factor project Cage Against The Machine.


Matt, who beat Rebecca Ferguson to be crowned the winner of The X Factor earlier this month, told fans on Twitter he was incredibly excited about finding out the chart results, tweeting: 'Off to capital radio. . ! So exited. . May be a little bit of wee. . :) xx'

Official Charts Company managing director Martin Talbot described Matt's sales figures as 'a truly impressive achievement'.

He said: 'Besides being a record for a non-charity single this year, it might even have been higher given the freezing conditions which have gripped the UK in the past couple of days and which have kept many consumers off the high streets.'


Matt Cardle playing the paint shade challenge at the Big Top 40


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Are Take That fulfilling their dream to Rule The World? Band take over the TV as they perform on X Factor AND Strictly Come Dancing in one weekend

By SARAH BULL

Guest star: Robbie Williams joined One Direction for a duet on the first X Factor final show on Saturday night


They are arguably the most famous band in the world at this moment, enjoying renewed success after Robbie Williams rejoined the group.

But this weekend Take That decided to take over our televisions as they performed on both X Factor and Strictly Come Dancing.

As well as the band performing on Strictly both Saturday and Sunday nights, Robbie joined forces with One Direction on The X Factor on Saturday, before taking to the stage once again for a performance with the band on last night's X Factor final.


Here we are again: The boys performed The Flood on last night's X Factor final


And their choice of songs didn't vary too widely either, as they performed The Flood on Strictly on Saturday and X Factor last night, before mixing it up with a rendition of Back For Good on Strictly on Sunday night.

And after their astonishing schedule this weekend, fans took to Twitter speculating where the group would pop up next.



All blue: Take That perform The Flood on Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday night


One wrote: 'Are Take That gonna be on Match of the Day as well? What about Desperate Housewives? Snooker?'

While another tweeted: 'Just waiting for Take That to make an appearance in the snooker final!! Well they've been on everything else this weekend-why not?!???'


Back for good: The boys also performed one of their most famous hits on Strictly last night


A further viewer wrote: 'Also, Take That will make appearances on the News At Ten, the Snooker, Sky Sports News, Celebrity Juice, BBC News 24 and Cbeebies!'

But not all of Take That's performances this weekend were without controversy.
It is claimed that the band were keen to be accompanied by dancers dressed as riot police as they performed their new single Kidz on last night's X Factor final.

However, Simon Cowell was thought to have been less than impressed with the idea, telling the group the costumes were 'inappropriate' in light of clashes between students and the authorities over university fees last week.


Time to head home: Robbie Williams and wife Ayda Field leave the X Factor studios last night after Take That's performance on the final


Sexy: Robbie's actress wife looked stunning in a tiny pair of black hotpants and matching thigh-high boots


A source told The Sun: 'When Simon found out about the riot cop fear he was upset.
'For him, The X Factor is an entertainment show pure and simple. It's about people having a good time - it's not about politics.

'He thought it wasn't on. He told Take That it was insensitive and inappropriate and asked them to change things.

'Take That might be a huge band, but when it comes to the X Factor, Simon calls the shots.'


Controversial: Take That had originally wanted to perform new single Kidz with dancers dressed as riot police, but Simon Cowell objected to the idea


Dressing up: A crew member carries the helmets out after the idea was discarded


So the boys decided to leave the dancers and opted for an energetic performance of their single The Flood.

The band - Robbie, Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Mark Owen and Jason Orange - have been working hard to ensure their new album Progress is a huge success.

And their hard work has paid off, as the album was named the fastest-selling record for 13 years.

Now it has been announced that the group will be performing as one of the headlining acts at the BRIT Awards 2011 at London' s O2 Arena on 15th February.


One Direction and Robbie Williams sing She's The One - The X Factor Live Final



Take That Back For Good Strictly Come Dancing December 12 2010



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Now Katy Perry is a sexy Santa as her festive tour rolls into Miami

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Impressive move: Katy Perry appeared to grow more pairs of arms as her dancers crouched behind her at the Miami Jingle Ball concert last night


Katy Perry pulled yet another kooky Christmas costume out of her stocking last night as she led the Jingle Ball concert to Florida.

The pop star dressed up as a thoroughly racy Mrs Claus outfit for the performance in Miami.

She has previously dressed up as a candy cane and a toy soldier for the festive tour, which has also stopped in New York and Los Angeles.

Her latest confection featured a red satin leotard with white fur trimmed plunging neckline and a flaring fur-trimmed skirt left open to reveal her trim figure.

Finishing off the look were white gloves, a fur-trimmed Santa hat and red lipstick to match.

But the 26-year-old wasn't all glitz and glamour - she wore comfortable workman's boots so she could easily move around the stage during her performance.


Mrs Claus: Katy performed in a festive Santa outfit at the concert


Then three Santas appeared to kneel and pay homage to the lovely Mrs Claus as she stood holding her microphone out to the audience.

The stage was festively decorated with giant snowflakes and a large Christmas tree.
The Mrs Claus costume appears to be a favourite look for the star, who performed at last year's annual Jingle Ball in a similar look.


Santas galore: Katy is surrounded by santas during the stage show


This year she was joined by American Idol winner Adam Lambert and Enrique Eglesias.
While Katy has been hard at work, her husband Russell Brand has been busy promoting his new film, The Tempest.

The comic appeared this week on the Late Late Show to promote the movie, which also stars Helen Mirren, where he instead got talking about his former life of promiscuity.

Russell, who married Katy in India in October, said: 'I was having sex with different women three, four, five times a day. In Ireland, nine in one evening.'

The 35-year-old added: 'The fame and kind of will that I had meant that, instead of taking someone for a date and then going to the pictures and then calling them, I was able to go, "Let's do sex right now!"'


Winter wonderland: Katy and her guitarist were surrounded by snowflakes and Christmas tree decorations


But according to Katy, he is very satisfied these days.

She said in an interview with Maxim this month: 'Like Ludacris rapped, "I'm a lady in the street and a freak in the bed."

'I can't rate myself, but if you ask Russell I'm sure he'd give me a ten out of ten.'
Katy said in the interview that her husband's promiscuous past is not an issue.

'He's made no secret of what his life was like before me, but that's then and this is the future.'


Festive outfits: Katy dressed as a candy cane at the Massachusetts Jingle Ball earlier this month (L) before her Mrs Claus look last night (R)





source: dailymail

Boys night out as Justin Bieber and Adam Lambert headline the New Jersey Jingle Ball

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Heartthrob: Justin Bieber headlined the New Jersey Jingle Ball in New Jersey Wednesday night


There must have been a lot of screaming girls in New Jersey Wednesday night as teen heartthrobs Justin Bieber and Adam Lambert took to the stage at the Radio Q102 Jingle Ball.

The event, held at the Susquehanna Bank Center in Camden, New Jersey featured performances by the two male acts along with Disney princess Selena Gomez.

Bieber, 16, was the star of the night by sending the crowd into a frenzy when he pulled a female audience member onto the stage and serenaded her.

The young Casanova also bestowed the young blushing lady with a huge bunch of multi coloured roses and stroked her cheek as he sang.

Bieber crooned his way through several songs before passing the microphone to American Idol rocker Adam Lambert to amp up the volume.

Lambert performed an eight song set including hits from his album For Your Entertainment and Grammy nominated song Whaddya Want From Me.

The singer will next perform at the Y100 Jingle Ball in Miami on December 11 before wrapping up his seven month Glam Nation tour with two final dates in Los Angeles next week.

Other performers included Grammy nominated Bruno Mars, Grammy winning band Train, who performed their number one selling song of the year, Hey Soul Sister, and Irish band The Script.


Teen dream: The star pulled a fan on stage and sang to her

Rocker: American Idol star Adam Lamber then rocked the house with an eight song set





source: dailymail

Pixie Lott controls her curves in figure-hugging corset on her Crazy Cats tour

By GEORGINA LITTLEJOHN

What a waist: Pixie Lott held in her curvaceous figure in a sexy blue sequinned corset as she performed in London last night on her Crazy Cats tour


She's a girl who always knows how to stand out from the crowd with her slinky and sexy dress sense.

So it was no surprise to see Pixie Lott go all out on her wardrobe choice for her debut UK tour.

The pop star looked very glamorous in a figure-hugging blue sequinned corset with a cute pair of satin boxer-style shorts on the London leg of her Crazy Cats tour.


The 19-year-old teamed the look with opaque black tights and funky black Converse baseball boots as she sang to the crowd at the Hammersmith Apollo.

The 19-date tour is Pixie's first as a headliner and is in support of her debut album Turn it Up.

She also performed in red silk pyjamas as she sang from a bed surrounded by backing dancers, who were also dressed in pyjamas.


Waspish to hourglass: Pixie's corset made the pop star's waist look tiny while the black catsuit flaunted her curvaceous figure as she performed in Portsmouth last week


And she excitedly took to her Twitter page yesterday to tell her fans: 'Cat ear and whiskers at the ready hammersmith tonight wooohooo.'

She was referring to just one of her many costume changes during the concerts in which she dons a tight black catsuit, complete with cats ears, a painted on black nose and whiskers.

And the catsuit is in contrast to her blue-sequinned corset, as pictures from the Portsmouth leg of her tour showed.


Bedtime ballad: Pixie Lott sings from a fairy-light covered bed in red silk pyjamas...


... before being joined by pyjama-clad dancers, who came out from under the bed


Because while the corset made the pop star's waist look waspish, the black catsuit flattered her curvaceous figure.

She also got into the festive spirit in a black leather coat and faux fur hat as snow-esque glitter rained down on her.

Pixie - real name Victoria Lott - kicked off the tour on November 23 in Carlisle and has since performed in Leicester, Nottingham, Brighton and Essex.

Finishing in Manchester on December 18, she performs all 12 tracks from the album, as well as covers of Gladys Knight and the Pip's Midnight Train To Georgia, Cee Lo's Forget You and Kings Of Leon's Use Somebody.


Star of the show: This is Pixie's debut tour as the headlining act


What's new, pussycat? Pixie indulges her love of everything feline


On Sunday, she made a young fan's birthday after six-year-old Rosie Biggin was snowed in at her home in Sheffield and was unable to go out and celebrate.

Her father James sent out a Twitter appeal to her favourite pop stars to send her a message, but Pixie went one further and called Rosie and also invited her to her gig in Sheffield on the 13th.

James said: 'I sent out a tweet and within 10 minutes it was being read all over the country. Before long it was the number two most-read message on Twitter. In the end it was read by a young actress who is best mates with Pixie and she gave Rosie a call.

'Pixie was really, really nice. So it turned into a great birthday after all.’



Feeling festive: Snowflake glitter rains down on Pixie as she performed at the Portsmouth Guildhall







source: dailymail

Do They Know It's Christmas was worst song in the world, admits Bob Geldof

By SIMON CABLE

Cover your ears: It raised millions of pounds for charity and became the worlds' biggest selling single, Sir Bob Geldof has admitted that he dreads hearing his song, Do They Know It's Christmas during the festive season


If you haven’t heard a rendition of Do They Know It’s Christmas yet this year, it’s only a matter of time.

But should you curse Bob Geldof for writing That Song, you’ll be in good company. He’s fed up with it too.

The single was released 26 years ago today as Geldof set up Band Aid to raise money for famine-hit Ethiopia.

And although it became the biggest selling single in the world at the time, it seems he’s had enough.

He said: ‘I am responsible for two of the worst songs in history. One is Do They Know It’s Christmas? and the other one is We Are The World. Any day soon, I will go to the supermarket, head to the meat counter and it will be playing. Every ****ing Christmas.’

He said carol singers also include it in their repertoire when they visit his South London home each year, alongside the more traditional Silent Night.


Power of pop: Bob Geldof (left) co-wrote the song with Midge Ure in 1984 to raise money for famine-hit Ethiopia. 26 years later, he still can't escape it


The former Boomtown Rats frontman, 59, added: ‘Sometimes I think that’s wild because I wrote it. Or else I am thinking how much I want them to stop because they are doing it really badly.’

Geldof co-wrote the song with singer Midge Ure.

The campaign, which went on to raise more than £100million, was inspired by Michael Buerk’s BBC news report on Ethiopia’s famine.


So great, they did it twice! The single was re-recorded with a new batch of celebrity singers in 2004. Sir Bob says that carol singers who visit his house regularly include it in their reoertoire


Musicians including Sting, Bono, George Michael and Phil Collins sang on the Band Aid track.

Its success led to the release of U.S. charity single We Are the World months later.



Spot the difference: Ten years later, a new batch of singers came together to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the song, raising more money for charity






source: dailymail

Earnest Justin Bieber sings a message of hope for the needy in new video Pray

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Charity work: Justin Bieber sings a message of hope in his new video Pray, in which he is seen visiting sick children


He's not the first pop star to feel guilty about the vast injustices of this world.
But teen star Justin Bieber obviously hopes to make a difference with the video for his new single, Pray.

The earnest 16-year-old sings a message of hope as images of the homeless, sick and dispossessed flash by.


Doing his bit: Bieber sings 'I know there's good times beyond that pain' in Pray


Victims of hurricanes and beggars from Asia to America feature, as the youngster is seen performing acts of charity work.

He visits sick children in hospital and poses for pictures with the police force, in an effort to do good.

And while some might consider the video patronising, Bieber means well - giving a portion of the proceeds to a children's charity.


Friend of the forces: Bieber poses with police and army officers in one shot


The video brings back memories of Michael Jackson's hit Heal The World.
And that is not entirely a surprise.

'Wrote this song thinking of Michael Jackson's Man in the Mirror and we are donating a portion of the proceeds from every album sold to CHILDREN's MIRACLE NETWORK HOSPITALS,' Bieber wrote in a footnote.

'This song means alot to me and I Love this video.'


The video features images of orphaned and disadvantaged children worldwide


Unlike the strictly acoustic tracks on his new album, My World's Acoustic, Pray uses a string section, synthesizers and congas as Bieber offers an inspirational outlook on the future.

'I know there's sunshine beyond that rain, I know there's good times beyond that pain. Heaven, tell me I can make a change,' he sings.

Scooter Braun and Alfredo Flores directed the video, which Bieber released on his official Facebook page.


Well meaning: Bieber is giving a portion of the profits from his video to a children's charity


The star originally posted it on YouTube, only for it to be removed due to copyright reasons, wit the website claiming Universal had asked them to take it down.

Bieber, discovered on YouTube, tweeted: 'yo youtube...how u gonna block my own song?!?!?!

'we started this journey and now u r cheatin on me with this vevo chica...i see how it is...i will be over here with facebook.'









source: dailymail

Miley Cyrus and her lookalike mother Tish enjoy a girls day out at the shops

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Girls day out: Miley Cyrus and her mother Tish spent yesterday getting their nails done and going out for lunch


Thanksgiving is all about family. And despite the recent break up of her parents, Miley Cyrus still managed to make the holiday a family affair.

The Hannah Montana star, who turned 18 last week, spent yesterday on a girls day out with her mother Tish.

The ladies spent the morning at a nail salon for some pampering near their home in Studio City, California before heading to a Panera Bread restaurant for a bite to eat.

The pair wore matching navy leggings and flip flops for the outing and looked more like sisters than mother and daughter as the walked arm in arm back to their car.

Miley seemed a little down in the dumps and at one point her mother put a reassuring arm around her shoulders and gave her a hug.

Tish Cyrus and Miley's father Billy Ray Cyrus announced last month that they were ending their 18-year marriage.


Sisters? The mother-daughter duo looked more like friends


Billy Ray filed divorce papers in his home state of Tennessee citing irreconcilable differences and it was rumoured that Tish had been having an affair with musician Brett Michaels.

Earlier in the week Miley was spotted partying with rumoured new boyfriend, 18-year-old Canadian actor Avan Jogia.

The pair celebrated Miley's 18th birthday together at Hollywood club Trousdale where they were spotted kissing.


Down in the dumps: Miley appeared a little unhappy as she spent time with her mother



















source :dailymail