In her verse for Drake’s “Make Me Proud,” Nicki Minaj boasted: “The best legal team, so the deals is ill/It’s M.A.C., OPI and a fragrance, too/Apparel, I’m dominating every avenue.” Well, the animated hip-hop artist certainly wasn’t making those proclamations for her own health. Minaj is quickly becoming a beauty industry powerhouse.

On November 26, 2010, Minaj released her first M.A.C. lipstick in the shade Pink Friday, to coincide with the release of her debut album, also titled “Pink Friday.” She later released another lipstick, Viva Glam Nicki, as a part of M.A.C’s Viva Glam 2012 Campaign. Viva Glam is a line of lipsticks created to raise funds assisting men, women and children living with AIDS. Since its inception, the M.A.C. AIDS Fund has raised more than $200 million for their cause.

Nicki then released her OPI collection at the beginning of 2012. The collection was made up of a total of six polishes—three cream polishes, two glitter polishes and one shatter polish. The polishes were named after Nicki’s album and song titles. Pink Friday is in Nicki’s favorite color, Did It On ‘Em is a lovely shade of chartreuse, Fly is teal, Metallic 4 Life features a black base color with silver flecks of glitter, Save Me features a clear base color with blue glitter and the Super Bass Shatter is a darker shade of pink than Pink Friday, and also has glitter in it.

Most recently, Minaj released the advertisements for her fragrance, Pink Friday. Last month when she first released the official images of the bottle, which is a smaller version of her dipped in gold and wearing a white bustier, she described the smell of the fragrance as “angels playing.” It has since been noted that the fragrance will smell like a mixture of creamy vanilla, juicy fruits and sensual musk.

So, what’s next on Queen Minaj’s to-do list? A clothing line, of course! Minaj has always been able to generate much conversation and debate regarding her fashion choices. While fashion critics may not understand her style, the Barbz love it. Since it is the opinion of the Barbz, and the Barz only, that matter, it is quite befitting that Minaj would give them a collection made in her likeness. Of the brand Nicki has stated that her “biggest goal was to make a line that was going to be affordable to my fans and also rich enough in quality that they’ll feel like they’re wearing exactly what I’m wearing.” All of the Barbz, male and female, will be catered to with this “Harajuku Barbie” collection.

Image Courtesy of   NRK P3

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New York, U.S.A. – Life Design Station International, provided an update on July 30, 2012 to shareholders on its marketing and promotional efforts surrounding the launch of Backstage Vibe.

At the onset of its aggressive grassroots campaign, the CEO and key principals of the Company have been promoting Backstage Vibe at major concert venues including Dave Matthews, Nicki Minaj, Barenaked Ladies and Kiss & Motley Crue. The response from artists and fans alike at the venues has been overwhelming with the amount of pre-registrations to date reflecting the expanding anticipation.

In addition to the concert promotions, the Company contracted with a major marketing firm to reach out to prominent producers, recording studios, record labels, and radio stations across the country to put Backstage Vibe at the forefront of the digital music industry. Promotional materials have been developed and plans are underway to orchestrate a marketing blitz pre- and post-launch.

Over the weekend, executives from Backstage Vibe met with its innovation design team to review the platform. Spokespersons for the team explained that all of the applications are functioning better than expected and will create a greater demand than initially anticipated. In fact, integration of these new applications is more innovative than originally conceived and totally new to the global arena.

“Big name artists are anticipating the launch and looking forward to being early promoters. Both sponsors and artists are openly excited about the platform. Our applications are providing new sources of revenue for Backstage Vibe and the community it serves and will totally flip the switch on the standard ways artists promote and sell their merchandise,” said CEO Janina Ramos-Cabera.

Artists, producers, promoters, fans, and music aficionados can pre-register for the innovative social music site at http://www.backstagevibes.com/. Pre-registrants will receive 2 months of the service FREE when the full site goes live on August 15.

About Life Design Station International

Life Design Station International, (LDSI) is a music-inspired corporation. The Company empowers artists, producers and other music professionals to reach millions of potential customers. Life Design Station International, through its Internet-based division, develops and directs an innovative global social platform allowing artists from the U.S. and the world to interface collaboratively in order to promote, produce and sell their musical artistry. LDSI’s Backstage Vibe provides a leading-edge, secure and user-friendly environment for the sale, distribution and securing of world talent from one source.

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Nicki Minaj knows how female rappers electrify fans; after all she used to be a fan herself.  “I know I was always excited by whatever female was hot at the time,” Nicki says.

Today, millions of music fans are now saying the same thing about Nicki Minaj, part comic, part sex symbol and all-the-way lyrical assassin. She has everyone talking about her fiery verse on Kanye West’s “Monster,” which also features Jay-Z, as well as her infectious, standout appearances alongside Lil Wayne (“Knockout”), Usher (“Lil Freak”), Trey Songz (“Bottoms Up”), Robin Thicke (“Shakin’ It 4 Daddy,”), Sean Kingston (“Letting Go”), Christina Aguilera (“WooHoo”), and as a member of Young Money. All this has catapulted Minaj to the forefront of the music industry.

Her appeal is undeniably intoxicating, which is why her first single “Your Love,” from her debut album “Pink Friday,” hit number one on the Billboard rap charts, a feat last achieved by a female hip-hop artist in 2003. “Pink Friday” features production from the heavy-hitters Will.i.am and Swizz Beatz, among others.

Born in Trinidad and raised in Queens, New York, Nicki had to deal with life-threatening attacks during her childhood. Her father was in the borough’s drug scene. He would have violent outbursts and punch holes in walls. Her mother would leave him, only to return after relocating the family multiple times and putting Nicki in an almost untenable position. “It was just really, really volatile and it made me kind of have a lot of anger issues because I wanted to be able to stop it, to be able to protect my family, but unfortunately I was just a child and I couldn’t do anything,” she says. “That always bothered me.”

Nicki was able to draw strength from her chaotic home life. “It gave me this undying drive,” she explains. “Out of everyone that wanted success, I always felt like I wanted it more because my reason for wanting this was never about money or fame. Since I was five years old, I would pray and ask God to make me a successful entertainer, so I could help my mother. It made me just go above and beyond.”

Instead, Nicki found herself in a string of dead-end jobs. After becoming disenchanted with her employment opportunities, she decided to pursue her dreams. She began writing raps and was dared by her then-manager to write three freestyles over other people’s beats. He was floored. “From then on, I just always remember having a goal to accomplish, whether it was shooting my first DVD video, putting out my next mix-tape or getting an original song done,” Nicki recalls. (Her singles “Itty Bitty Piggy” and “Still I Rise” showcased, respectively, her braggadocio and introspective sides, endearing her to millions of fans around the world.)

Soon after Nicki made a DVD of her songs, Lil Wayne flew her to North Carolina for a meeting. “I just remember it being the best moment of my life because I never really even knew if I would get mainstream, or if I would ever be recognized by a mainstream person and I’d always been a Lil Wayne fan, so it was like a double whammy,” she says.

Lil Wayne was impressed. Though no paperwork was signed at this point, Wayne named-dropped Nicki on his freestyle over Beyonce’s “Upgrade” and appeared for the first time with Nicki on “Can’t Stop Won’t Stop,” the standout selection from her “Playtime Is Over” mix-tape. “Once I heard Nicki, I knew I had to meet her and once we talked I knew she had to be a part of Young Money, with her skills and her personality,” says Lil Wayne.

As Nicki’s notoriety began to rise, her vivid personalities began to catch on. Nicki Lewinsky, Nicki the Ninja, Nicki the Harajuku Barbie, and Nicki the Boss each hold their own place in Nicki Minaj’s creative, ever-expanding mind. She refuses to be pigeon-holed because she uses people’s preconceived notions about female entertainers to her advantage.

Another testament to her astounding cache: Nicki hosted BET’s Rip the Runway 2010 and pulled in the highest ratings ever for the show, setting the stage for a performance on the 2010 BET Awards, where she took home trophies for Best New Artist and Best Female Hip-Hop Artist, and for Best Group as a key member of the super-group Young Money. At the 2010 MTV Video Music Award, she stole the spotlight with a show-stealing performance of her duet “Check It Out” with will.i.am.

Image Courtesy of  Nicki Minaj

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New York, U.S.A – The BET Awards 12 performance stage line-up is getting hotter and definitely “Too Big To Miss.” Added to the roster is platinum musician D’Angelo, who will make his long-awaited return to the television stage after twelve years. His highly anticipated performance can be seen at the BET Awards 12, only on BET Networks on July 1, 2012 at 8 p.m.

“Usually, we love to keep surprises…but this year we want everyone watching when D’Angelo takes the stage at the BET Awards!” exclaimed Stephen G. Hill, BET’s President of Music Programming and Specials. “His talents have been away from us for far too long and we’re excited and honored that he’s decided to make his American re-entry at this year’s BET Awards.”

As if the BET Awards 12 show surprises aren’t already enough, Ford has partnered with BET Networks for the fifth year in a row to sponsor the red carpet and Ford Hot Spot, as well as give one lucky viewer the opportunity to win a brand new 2013 Ford Escape and $1,000 in cash. The winner will be announced live during the ‘106 & PARK’ BET Awards Pre-Show: Live, Red & Ready on Sunday, July 1st starting at 6:00 p.m.

BET Awards 12 will be hosted by box office superstar Samuel L. Jackson, who was last scene in this summer’s The Avengers, and will include exciting performances by Usher, Chris Brown, Nicki Minaj, G.O.O.D. MUSIC, Pusha T, Big Sean, Rick Ross, Meek Mill, Wale and 2 Chainz. This year’s Humanitarian Award, which will be presented by State Farm, will go to Reverend Dr. Al Sharpton, and Maze featuring Frankie Beverly will receive the coveted Cadillac Lifetime Achievement Award. Taraji P. Henson, Meagan Good, Kevin Hart and Cedric the Entertainer will grace the Shrine Auditorium stage as presenters on Sunday, July 1st at 8:00 p.m. on BET Networks. All times are ET/PT.

Image Courtesy of  D’Angelo

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WQHT (97.1 FM, “Hot 97″) is an American radio station in New York City that primarily plays mainstream urban hits, with a few pop-leaning titles on occasion. It is a famous radio station in the hip-hop community across the country, and it is also known for the drama and controversies that occur surrounding its staff and guests. And this past weekend wasn’t any different.

On Sunday evening at hip-hop’s biggest concert the Hot 97 Summer Jam Concert, just hours before she was slated to perform, Nicki Minaj pulled from performing along with Lil Wayne – the president of her label Cash Money Records. The reason? Lil Wayne was angered by disparaging comments made by Hot 97 morning host Peter Rosenberg about Minaj’s song ‘Starships’ in which he suggested that the song was not “real hip-hop.”

“I know there’s some chicks here waiting to sing ‘Starships’ later. I’m not talking to y’all right now,” he said. “F— that bullsh-t. I’m here to talk about real hip-hop sh-t.”

After hearing that, Lil Wayne then canceled Minaj’s performance in a tweet: ”Young Money ain’t doing summer jam,” he tweeted, referring to his rap crew, which includes Minaj who also tweeted: ”I go above and beyond for my fans. But won’t ever go against wayne’s word. What he says, goes,” she tweeted.

In another tweet, Minaj hanked other cities for hosting her: ”I’d like to thank the staff @ philly & boston summer jams for treating their guests w/respect! Had a blast,” she tweeted.

Rosenberg, the self-described “Jewish Johnny Carson,” tweeted: “Tonight just got interesting.”

Hot 97 DJ Funkmaster Flex then backed Rosenberg during the concert, taunting Minaj for recent weaker sales. ”You don’t go gold. It’s all your fault,” he said. “I’m dedicated to tearing you down.”

On Monday night, Minaj called in to the station to explain her decison to pull out of the concert which turned into an hour long heated debate with DJ Funkmaster Flex. Minaj apologized to her fans and promised them a free concert in the New York area this summer. She then made it clear that she had been deeply offended by Rosenberg’s comments.

“When you want our team to come to your show, treat us with respect,” she said. “And that’s all we’re asking.” Later she added: “When you disrespect Nicki Minaj, you’re disrespecting my fans. I don’t have a problem with anyone saying what they have to say to me. But don’t make fans feel inferior in any way for their personal taste in music.”

Minaj also felt that he had singled her out because she’s a woman.

“If that’s not some bitch-ass s**t – for this person to single out the only female on the bill, I’m holding it down for women,” Minaj said. “I respect men who are real men, but if all you do is take shots at women.”

Talking to the morning show crew at the rival hip-hop radio station Power 105.1 Minaj stated that she wasn’t even going to perform ‘Starships.’

“After all this has been said and done, I wasn’t gonna do ‘Starships’ and I think people know that,” she told the crew, The Breakfast Club. “I’m way smarter than that. I know what people wanted to see…It was horrible timing. It was in bad taste.”

Minaj also said she was disappointed because she had a Summer Jam set planned that included surprise performances from Brooklyn’s Foxy Brown and Harlem’s Cam’ron.

“We had an amazing, amazing show, and that was the only disappointing thing,” she said.

Fellow Summer Jam performers Nas and Lauryn Hill slid into the headliner spot and, according to Rolling Stone, pulled together an impressive set that included the Fugees’ “Ready or Not” and “If I Ruled the World.” As rumors surfaced claiming that Hill was invited to Summer Jam as Minaj’s guest and therefore shouldn’t have performed, Hill took to Twitter to clarify the situation and to support Minaj’s decision not to perform.

“No disrespect to Nicki, but I need to clear up an inaccuracy,” she wrote. “I was not scheduled to be a special guest on her set at Summer Jam, I was invited by Nas to perform with him.

“I don’t have details on exactly what transpired between the station and the artists, but I do support artists standing by their beliefs, and walking with integrity. We have to find a better way to commercially exploit music, while giving artists their proper respect.

“This cannot be done while taking their contributions for granted, or trying to control the scope of their growth and power through threats and fear tactics. We can do better than this, there is a better way, or else ‘we’ (the proverbial we) find ourselves in danger of being hypocrites!!!”

As for the Hot 97 staff, Rosenberg refused to apologize for his remarks stating, “There is a get me to apologize movement, to which I can say, I’m absolutely not apologizing, because I didn’t do anything wrong,” he said on Monday evening. “I’m not going to change my stand because I’m at Summer Jam. I’ve been saying it for six months.”

While DJ Funkmaster Flex admitted that Rosenberg didn’t pick the right time and place to say that, he also faulted Lil Wayne for asking Ms. Minaj and the other artists on his label to boycott the show, thus depriving Ms. Minaj’s fans of a chance to see her.

The station’s program director Ebro Darden also appeared on one of the station’s morning shows on Tuesday to make it clear that he stood by Mr. Rosenberg. He said though Minaj’s records were not popular, the station had supported Ms. Minaj for years because she hails from Queens. However, he believes that Rosenberg had a right to disagree with her foray into pop music with ‘Starships’.

“That’s a hip-hop show,” he said referring to Summer Jam. “When artists want to go out and make songs for other formats, that’s their prerogative, but that doesn’t mean our hosts have to like it. It was not a direct shot at her, at her personality, at her as a woman — there was no sexual reference, there was no disrespect…It’s a real hip-hop stage, and in real hip-hop, things get said.”

Image Courtesy of   Nicki Minaj

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Pop stars of today presumably live in a different world than the rest of society. Competing every day through wild outfits, outrageous lyrics, and explicit music videos, the image they portray is one of a vivid imagination.

Most recently, the beloved Nicki Minaj has come out with a new single off her highly anticipated album, “Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded”, set to be released on April 3. The new single, “Stupid Hoe”, has already been banned from BET, whether due to explicit lyrics, lewd images, or plain lack of talent, the network has yet to say.

Minaj, however, tweeted that her video was never meant to air on TV, as she did not want any networks censoring her production which she refers to as art. The song was released approximately a month before the video was released.  It did not receive much of a response until the video release, most of which was not positive.

“I really hate this song, so I’m not even mad that the video was banned,” said hardcore Bahamian fan, Mia. ”She has the nerve to call that art. Nothing about that is art. That is what, in my estimation, is foolishness. Nicki needs to do better,” said another fan.

It is hard to not agree with her diehard fans, as watching the video was quite close to torturous. Understandably, Minaj was trying to keep up with the rest of the industries cutting-edge videos and attempted to create something different. Directed by Hype Williams, it is difficult to pinpoint where exactly the duo went wrong.

With the leopard print suits, the distorted eyes, the painful-looking leg positioning, and the over-the-top Barbie makeup, they really just went wrong everywhere. Currently, on Youtube, the video featured on the Vevo network has collected 170,911 likes against 353,468 dislikes.

The video and song also seem to possibly be directed towards fellow femcee, Lil’ Kim. It has been made public that the two have quarreled for some time now. Lil’ Kim released a a single last Valentine’s Day aimed at Minaj entitled “Black Friday”, and the album cover featured what appeared to be a decapitated Minaj in the background behind Lil’ Kim. If “Stupid Hoe” was aimed at Kim, it seems Minaj fell short of a diss and only ended up hurting herself.

Overall, I enjoy Nicki Minaj and her music. However, “Stupid Hoe” was nothing short of a disaster. If this song was a diss towards Lil’ Kim, or any other artist in the industry, hopefully they will be able to see the light and learn to play nice.

If you have not had the opportunity to listen to or watch “Stupid Hoe” yet, follow the link below.

Image Courtesy of  Featureflash / Shutterstock.com

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Current GRAMMY nominees Chris Brown ,deadmau5, Foo Fighters, David Guetta , and Lil Wayne will join for a special performance highlighting dance/electronica music for the first time ever on the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards (www.grammy.com ).

Music’s Biggest Night — hosted by two-time GRAMMY winner LL COOL J — takes place live on Sunday, Feb. 12 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles and will be broadcast in high definition and 5.1 surround sound on the CBS Television Network from 8 – 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT). The show also will be supported on radio worldwide via Dial Global, and covered online at GRAMMY.com and CBS.com, and on YouTube at www.youtube.com/thegrammys .

Additional performers, presenters and special segments will be announced soon. For GRAMMY coverage, updates and breaking news, please visit The Recording Academy’s social networks on Twitter and Facebook: www.twitter.com/thegrammys , www.facebook.com/thegrammys .

The performance will take place in a special outdoor tent adjacent to STAPLES Center on the Nokia Plaza at L.A. LIVE. Consulting and participating on this special segment is renowned hospitality company The Light Group’s HAZE Nightclub at ARIA Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.

Four-time GRAMMY winner Lil Wayne has five nominations: Best Rap Performance for “Look At Me Now” (with Chris Brown and Busta Rhymes); two nods in Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for “I’m On One” (with DJ Khaled, Drake and Rick Ross) and “Motivation” (with Kelly Rowland); Best Rap Song for “Look At Me Now”; and Best Rap Album for Tha Carter IV .

deadmau5 has three nominations: Best Dance Recording for “Raise Your Weapon” (with Greta Svabo Bech), Best Dance/Electronica Album for 4X4=12, and Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical for Foo Fighters’ “Rope” (deadmau5 Mix). Two-time GRAMMY winner Guetta is up for two awards: Best Dance Recording for “Sunshine” (with Avicii), and Best Dance/Electronica Album for Nothing But The Beat.

Previously announced performers for the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards include Adele (in her first live performance since undergoing vocal cord surgery last fall); Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson ; Tony Bennett and Carrie Underwood ; Chris Brown ; Glen Campbell with The Band Perry and Blake Shelton ; Coldplay and Rihanna; Foo Fighters; Alicia Keys and Bonnie Raitt ; Bruno Mars ; PaulMcCartney; Nicki Minaj; Katy Perry ; Bruce Springsteen And The E Street Band; and Taylor Swift.

Aldean, The Band Perry, deadmau5, Guetta, Minaj, and Shelton will perform on the GRAMMY telecast for the first time. Previously announced presenters are Marc Anthony , Dierks Bentley , Jack Black ,Drake, Fergie, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert , Gwyneth Paltrow , Ryan Seacrest , Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson, and Ringo Starr .

LL COOL J has hosted “The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music’s Biggest Night” since its inception in December 2008, and this is his first time hosting the annual GRAMMY Awards telecast.

Image Courtesy of  Randy Miramontez / Shutterstock.com

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Twenty-time Grammy winner Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band have been added to the stellar lineup for the 54th Annual Grammy Awards. Actor and recording artist Jack Black, six-time Grammy winner and current three-time nominee Fergie, three-time Grammy winner and current nominee Amir “?uestlove” Thompson (The Roots), and nine-time Grammy winner Ringo Starr will appear as presenters.

Music’s Biggest Night — hosted by two-time Grammy winner LL CooL J — takes place live on Sunday, Feb. 12 at Staples Center in Los Angeles and will be broadcast in high definition and 5.1 surround sound on the CBS Television Network from 8 – 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT).

The show also will be supported on radio worldwide via Dial Global, and covered online at Grammy.com and CBS.com, and on YouTube at www.youtube.com/thegrammys. Additional performers, presenters and special segments will be announced soon. For Grammy coverage, updates and breaking news, please visit The Recording Academy’s social networks on Twitter and Facebook.

Previously announced performers for the 54th Annual Grammy Awards include  Adele  (in her first live performance since undergoing vocal cord surgery last fall); Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson; Glen Campbell with The Band Perry and Blake Shelton; Coldplay and Rihanna; Foo Fighters; Bruno Mars; Paul McCartney; Nicki Minaj; Katy Perry; and Taylor Swift. Jason Aldean, The Band Perry, Minaj, and Shelton will perform on the Grammy telecast for the first time.

Previously announced presenters are Dierks Bentley, Drake, Miranda Lambert, and Gwyneth Paltrow. LL CooL J has hosted “The Grammy Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music’s Biggest Night” since its inception in December 2008, and this is his first time hosting the annual Grammy Awards telecast.

The 54th Annual Grammy Awards are produced by John Cossette Productions and AEG Ehrlich Ventures for The Recording Academy. Ken Ehrlich is executive producer, Louis J. Horvitz is director, and David Wild and Ken Ehrlich are the writers.

stocklight / Shutterstock.com

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Current Grammy nominee Adele will make her much anticipated return to the live stage on the 54th Annual Grammy Award. This will be her first time performing live in nearly five months since being forced to cancel a sold-out U.S. tour to undergo surgery on her vocal cords.

Music’s Biggest Night— hosted by two-time Grammy winner LL Cool J — takes place live on Sunday, Feb. 12 at Staples Center in Los Angeles and will be broadcast in high definition and 5.1 surround sound on the CBS Television Network from 8 – 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT). The show also will be supported on radio worldwide via Dial Global, and covered online at Grammy.com and CBS.com, and on YouTube.

Additional performers, presenters and special segments will be announced soon. For Grammy coverage, updates and breaking news, please visit The Recording Academy’s social networks on Twitter and Facebook.

“I’m immensely proud to have been asked to perform at this year’s Grammy Awards,” said Adele. “It’s an absolute honor to be included in such a night, and for it to be my first performance in months is very exciting and of course nerve-racking, but what a way to get back into it all.”

Two-time Grammy winner Adele has six nominations: Record Of The Year, Song Of The Year and Best Short Form Music Video for “Rolling In The Deep”; Album Of The Year and Best Pop Vocal Album for 21; and Best Pop Solo Performance for “Someone Like You.”

Previously announced performers for the 54th Annual Grammy Awards include Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson ; Glen Campbell with The Band Perry and Blake Shelton ; Coldplay and Rihanna; Foo Fighters; Bruno Mars ; Paul McCartney ; Nicki Minaj; and Taylor Swift . Aldean, The Band Perry, Minaj, and Shelton will perform on the Grammy telecast for the first time, while Adele, Campbell, Clarkson, Coldplay, Foo Fighters, Mars, McCartney, Rihanna, and Swift are returning to the Grammy stage.

LL Cool J has hosted “The Grammy Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music’s Biggest Night” since its inception in December 2008, and this is his first time hosting the annual Grammy Awards telecast.

The 54th Annual Grammy Awards are produced by John Cossette Productions and AEG Ehrlich Ventures for The Recording Academy. Ken Ehrlich is executive producer, Louis J. Horvitz is director, and David Wild and Ken Ehrlich are the writers.

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Two-time GRAMMY winner LL COOL J is set to host the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards, marking the first time in seven years that the music industry’s premier event will have an official host. Music’s Biggest Night takes place live on Sunday, Feb. 12, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles and will be broadcast in high definition and 5.1 surround Sound on the CBS Television Network from 8 – 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT).

The show also will be supported on radio worldwide via Westwood One/Dial Global, and covered online at GRAMMY.com and CBS.com, and on YouTube at  www.youtube.com/thegrammys. Additional performers, presenters and special segments will be announced soon. For GRAMMY coverage, updates and breaking news, please visit The Recording Academy’s social networks on Twitter and Facebook.

“I’m thrilled to be part of Music’s Biggest Night,” said LL COOL J. “I will always have fond memories of my first GRAMMY Awards and to now be hosting the GRAMMY show, in the company of so many other incredible artists, is a dream come true. Great performances and great music — it’s gonna be a great night!”

LL COOL J has hosted “The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music’s Biggest Night” since its inception in December 2008, and this will be his first time hosting the annual GRAMMY Awards telecast. Recent past hosts include Queen Latifah at the 47th GRAMMY Awards and Jon Stewartfor the 43rd and 44th GRAMMY telecasts. Over the years, additional GRAMMY hosts include Billy Crystal, Ellen DeGeneres and Rosie O’Donnell, among others.

LL COOL J joins previously announced performers and current GRAMMY nominees  Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson, Foo Fighters, Bruno Mars, Nicki Minaj, and Taylor Swift. Aldean and Minaj will perform on the GRAMMY telecast for the first time, while Clarkson, Foo Fighters, Mars, and Swift are returning to the GRAMMY stage.

The 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards are produced by John Cossette Productions and AEG Ehrlich Ventures for The Recording Academy. Ken Ehrlich is executive producer,  Louis J. Horvitz is director, andDavid Wild and Ken Ehrlich are the writers.

Dooley Productions / Shutterstock.com

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The third annual Fashion’s Night Out took place on Thursday, September 8 in New York City. The evening brought jam packed fashion events to retail locations all around Manhattan. 2011’s Fashion Night Out was bigger than previous years, making it a celebrated highlight for the fashion industry.

More than 1000 stores around New York City participated in Fashion’s Night Out, which kicked off the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Not only was New York City a participant, but so were over 250 other cities across the United States. Created by Vogue’s editor Anna Wintour, Fashion’s Night Out has become an international sensation with countries around the world partaking in the event as well.

Retailers all across New York City stayed open later than usual for fashionistas to enjoy extended hours of shopping. Special events were seen throughout Manhattan. Celebrity appearances were a main highlight of the event. Located in the Meatpacking District, the grand opening of a new Intermix store welcomed Bravo’s reality TV star Rachel Zoe.

 The fashion stylist visited the boutique store to celebrate its opening. Those who wanted to shop in the famous Billionaire Boys Club on West Broadway were able to catch a glimpse of musically talented Pharrell Williams. The popular musician made an appearance at the store by working behind the cash register.

Daniel Radcliffe, widely known for his performance as Harry Potter in the movie series, arrived at Jeffrey New York for a guest appearance and had a meet and greet with people shopping in the store.

If Daniel Radcliffe wasn’t enough to entertain teeny boppers, throngs of excited teenagers gathered at Dolce & Gabbana to see international pop sensation Justin Bieber as he was also in attendance for Fashion’s Night Out.

Musical performances from the world’s most talented singers were also a large part of the evening. British singer Estelle performed at Diane von Furstenburg, while Queens rapper Nicki Minaj, a fashionistas herself, attended the launching of Yves Saint Lauren’s new Cabas Chyc handbag.

Lovers of the Jonas Brother’s lined up at Saks Fifth Avenue as musician Joe Jonas attended an event at the large New York City store. Not far from Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy’s on 34^th Street welcomed Kelly Rowland, who sang some of her solo songs.

For those who wanted to see hip hop superstar Drake, he was at Versace’s boutique on 5^th Avenue, mixing behind the DJ booth, giving shoppers energizing music as they browed through the store. Musicians were spread out across Manhattan for the special fashion occasion and made a strong presence during Fashion’s Night Out.

Along with a strong celebrity presence throughout the evening, retailers across the city also hosted unique and entertaining special events. Magnolia Bakery, famously introduced by the fashion forward HBO series “Sex and the City” made specialty fashion cupcakes for the occasion. Cupcakes were decorated with stylish purses and shoes.

All the money raised from the sales of these cupcakes was sent directly to New York City AIDs Fund in the Community Trust. The downtown location of Bloomingdale’s had a performance by Alexa Ray Joel, the daughter of Billy Joel, as well as an opportunity to personalize underwear with rhinestones.

Fashion’s Night Out was a great alternative for fashion lovers across New York City who wanted to experience the events and excitement of Fashion Week.

Although attending fashion shows at the annual Fashion Week requires tickets, Fashion’s Night Out gave everyone a chance to catch a glimpse of their favorite celebrities, sample finger foods, and sip on drinks as retailers across the city provided upbeat music, performances, and a trendy atmosphere to enjoy fashion.

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