Billboard Bits serves up the best bite-sized nuggets of music news and gossip.
Britney Spears Receives $500,000 from ‘HIAM’ Video Product Placements
Britney Spears‘ recently released music video for “Hold It Against Me” apparently earned the pop star half a million dollars as a result of its product placement. Products featured in the video included Sony televisions and monitors, Make Up Forever eye shadow, the dating website Plenty of Fish and the singer’s own Radiance perfume. Director Jonas Åkerlund also made Lady Gaga’s “Telephone” video, which was filled with product placement as well. ( Rolling Stone)
Wiz Khalifa, Keri Hilson to Perform at BET’s “Rip the Runway”
BET Networks has announced the lineup to its seventh annual “Rip the Runway,” with Wiz Khalifa, Keri Hilson, Fabolous and Lloyd headlining the music performers as collections by Rachel Roy, Tenille White, LaQuan Smith and others are displayed on the runway at New York’s Hammerstein Ballroom. The event will be taped on Saturday (Feb. 26) and air on BET on Mar. 21.
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Justin Timberlake, Jennifer Hudson Among Oscar Presenters
Justin Timberlake and Jennifer Hudson are joining the line-up of presenters who are taking part in the 83rd annual Academy Awards on Sunday. Hudson won the Academy Award for best supporting actress for her performance as Effie White in 2006’s “Dreamgirls.” Timberlake, who is seen as Internet entrepreneur Sean Parker in best picture nominee “The Social Network,” will be making his first appearance on an Oscar broadcast. ( The Hollywood Reporter)
Radiohead Fans Hoping for ‘King of Limbs’ Pt. 2
Only four days after the digital release of Radiohead‘s “The King of Limbs,” rumors that a follow-up album or “second part” of the eight-song release exists have been growing among the band’s fan base. “Separator,” which is the title of the last track on the album, has given fans a reason to believe that the song could literally be a division between the two releases. Another substantial clue for these theories is the fact that “The King of Limbs” is titled ‘TKOL1’ when fans place their orders for the album online, allowing for speculation that ‘TKOL2’ could be released shortly. ( Spinner)
Lil Kim Likes Lady Gaga, Will Appear on ‘Detox’
After showing her disdain for Nicki Minaj through her “Black Friday” video and mixtape cover, Lil Kim says that she will be featured on Dr. Dre‘s long-awaited next album, “Detox.” The rapper also raved about Lady Gaga: “She’s just phenomenal,” said Kim regarding the pop star. “She is so cute.” (Idolator)
TV on the Radio Announce Spring Tour Dates
In anticipation of their upcoming release “Nine Types of Light,” TV on the Radio is embarking on a spring/summer tour throughout North America and Europe. So far, 15 dates have been announced, beginning on April 8 in Philadelphia and with the North American leg ending on May 2 in San Diego. ( Pitchfork)
(Reporting by Jason Lipshutz, Jazmine Gray, Gregg Kilday (THR), Ricardo Gomez and Kevin Rutherford)