Billboard Bits serves up the best bite-sized nuggets of music news and gossip.
Jay-Z Invests In Brooklyn Chicken Restaurant
Jay-Z’s new release with Kanye West may be called “H.A.M.,” but the rapper seems to have chicken on the mind. The mogul has invested in Buffalo Boss, a Brooklyn-based chicken restaurant, which is currently co-owned by his cousin Jamar White and a collaboration with Jay’s mom and sister. “Yes, it’s all true,” White said. “Jay supports us in all we do, that’s my big cousin right there.” ( MTV)
The Fugees’ Wyclef Jean, Pras Michel Make Peace?
Ex-Fugees members Wyclef Jean and Pras Michel appeared to make peace after running into each other aboard the same flight to Haiti. In response to the run-in with Pras, Jean said via Twitter: “On my way 2 Haiti, ran into Praz, what should I do make peace or go sit somewhere Else! I Made peace 4 Haiti!” Pras added via Twitter: “Yo clef we should of flown privately… I’m sorry man for criticizing you for flying privately to Haiti.” Both Pras and Wyclef posted friendly Twitpics of themselves together. The tension between the two stems from Pras’ criticism against Jean’s decision to run for the Haitian presidency last year. (@WYCLEF, @prasmichel, NY Daily News)
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M.I.A. Releases New Remix EP
Just two weeks after dropping her “Vicki Leekx” mixtape, M.I.A. has announced another new release. The album, an EP, is titled “Internet Connection (The Remixes).” The EP is currently available digitally through Interscope and includes four remixes of the song “Internet Connection,” a bonus track from her 2010 LP “Maya.” (Pitchfork)
Crosby, Stills & Nash Nix Rubin-Produced Album
The hotly-anticipated collaboration between Crosby, Stills and Nash and producer Rick Rubin has been scrapped. “We have amicably parted ways with both Rick Rubin and Columbia,” the band said in an official statement. The release was to be an album of covers, including songs by James Taylor and Bob Dylan. ( Spinner)
The Kills, Peter Bjorn And John Announce Album Releases
Alison Mosshart-led (of Dead Weather notoriety) duo The Kills announced its first release since 2008’s “Midnight Boom.” “Blood Pressures” will be released Apr. 5 via Domino Records. Additionally, Swedish pop-rockers Peter Bjorn and John have announced that “Gimme Some,” their first since 2009’s “Living Thing,” on Mar. 29 through StarTime International. ( Pitchfork)
Spice Girls Congratulate the Beckhams on Pregnancy
After former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham recently revealed that she and husband soccer star David Beckham, soccer star, are expecting their fourth child, the former bandmates of Posh Spice took to Twitter to congratulate the couple. Fellow mom-to-be Emma Bunton (aka Baby Spice) said via Twitter: “Yeah! It’s such brilliant news!” while Melanie Brown (aka Scary Spice) sent her “Congrats!” (Us Weekly)
(Reporting by Kevin Rutherford, Kadeem Lundy, Jazmine Grey and Jillian Mapes)