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MUSIC BITS: JB sues banker; no wedding for Diddy; Hi-Tek gathers talent; Cole’s covers; Valentine’s ‘Education’; Baker ticket giveaway.
*James Brown has filed a lawsuit against finance banker David Pullman on allegations that he failed to secure a loan necessary for bonds. "[Pullman] was my friend and I'm surprised and shocked he'd do this," Brown told the New York Post. "No matter what happens, I'll still be the hardest-working man in show business." Sources tell the paper that Pullman made headlines a while back after advising David Bowie to release bonds using his future royalties as security.
*Sean “Diddy” Combs is denying recent reports that he is about to marry Kim Porter, his longtime girlfriend and mother of his eight-year-old son Christian Casey. One rumor had the couple planning to exchange vows on Aug. 1 during Diddy’s annual White Party, which is being held this year in St. Tropez, France. A rep for the Bad Boy Entertainment mogul says, “It’s not true.”
*Producer/rapper Hi-Tek has recruited a parade of hip hop’s finest to bless his sophomore album, "Hi-Teknology 2," due Oct. 10 via Babygrande. The Game, Ghostface Killah, Common, Busta Rhymes, Talib Kweli, Raekwon, Slim Thug, Q-Tip and Bun B are among the artists appearing on the disc, which follows up Tek’s Rawkus solo debut, "Hi-Teknology.”
*Natalie Cole covers songs from Aretha Franklin, the Isley Bros. Fiona Apple and others for her 20th studio album, “Leavin’,” which hits stores on Sept. 26. The 12-track set from Verve includes Cole’s twists on Aretha’s 1972 hit “Day Dreaming,” the Isley Bros.’ “Don't Say Goodnight” and other tracks from Sting, Neil Young, Kate Bush and Etta James. “Leavin’” also includes a new song, "5 Minutes Away," written by Cole, Dallas Austin and keyboardist Chanz Parkman. The chanteuse will launch a theater tour behind the album this fall.
*Brooke “Girlfight” Valentine is preparing for the October release of her sophomore album, “Physical Education.” "It's very urban, sultry," she tells MTV. "Mannie Fresh on there, Tyrese, Jermaine [Dupri], [producer/manager] Déjô the Great — so many amazing people. I can't wait for the world to hear this album." The first single, “Dope Girl,” samples NWA’s classic “Dopeman” and features fellow Houston native Pimp C. "'Dope Girl' is about being fly, putting on the big gold chains and the gold ropes and doing your thing like that," Valentine said. "It's that girl that you crave."
*The Urban Music Association of Canada (UMAC) is offering an exclusive opportunity to celebrate the Toronto Caribbean Carnival - Caribana this weekend by offering two free tickets to an Anita Baker concert with any new one-year membership purchase of $53.50. The concert will be held Sunday (7/30) on the water at the Molson Amphitheatre, downtown Toronto, Ontario. To register for your opportunity to obtain two free tickets, please visit: www.umacmembership.com.
