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R. Kelly is at the centre of a sex scandal. Police are investigating allegations that the award winning r'n'b singer had sex with an underage girl. The scandal came to light on February 8 after the Chicago-Sun said it had viewed a 27-minute video incriminating R. Kelly.
The tape had been received from an anonymous person. Police say Illinois law prohibits adult males from having sex with girls under 17. The girl in the video has not been identified. But it is believed that she was 14 at the time. Attorney John Touly appearing for R. Kelly said the tape was a fake, but a professional video maker says it is difficult to make a fake video to last 27 minutes with the same two people.
Enrique Iglesias is a lucky singer. Three weeks ago when his release 'Hero', topped the UK Singles Chart it was not expected to remain there for more than a week. Last week's chart was dull compared to those in the past and hence 'Hero' spent a second week at No: 1.
This week's chart was a slight improvement on last week, with four new entries, and was similar to those tabulated in the 80s. With just a few entries, the No: 1 song, 'Hero' held on. It also sold enough copies to be certified with a gold disc. The song has now been on the chart for a third week. Given the romantic nature of the song and Valentine's Day being last week it is not surprising to see Enrique's hit remaining at the top. It won't be a surprise to see it there next week too.
No Doubt has returned to the UK Top 20 after five years. The group fronted by Gwen Stefani check into the chart at No: 2 with 'Hey Baby' - the highest new entry of the week.
'Hey Baby' brings out the old skool ska rythms edged with reggae. The catchy track is a hit on radio and TV in the UK. Sadly, it did not rake up enough sales during the week to topple 'Hero' from the top spot. Incidentally both Iglesias and No Doubt's singles appear on the same record label Interscope.
No Doubt's last hit 'Don't Speak' topped the chart in February 1997. Last year lead singer Gwen Stefani was featured on Eve's No: 4 hit 'Let Me Blow Ya Mind'.
The rock act Alien Ant Farm has a new entry at No: 5 called 'Movies'. This is a new track unlike the previous release 'Smooth Criminal' which was a cover of Michael Jackson's 1998 hit. While Jacko mixed his pop and rock into the No: 8 spot, Alien Ant Farm took 'Smooth Criminal' to the No: 3 position. The current single 'Movies', is accompanied with a video of shots from old films crashing through.
The dance act Jakatta has revived an old well known melody. The club reworking of 'Ever So Lonely' by Joey Negro as 'So Lonely' debuted for Jakatta at No: 8. The original 'Ever So Lonely' was performed by Monsoon and had an Indian flavour. The lead vocalist of Monsoon was Sheila Chandra. The song peaked at No: 12 in 1982. The resurrected version retains Chandra's vocals, but the rest has been updated for 2002.
A man who broke into Janet Jackson's dressing room in New York on February 6 has been arrested. Mario Backum was charged with having on his person stolen property - among them a FDNY baseball hat and some personal correspondence of Jackson. The man who was a ticket holder to Ms. Jackson's concert at Nassau Long Island Coliseum, New York, may face a long prison sentence.
A report on February 11 said Madonna will record a song for the next James Bond 007 movie. It will have Pierce Brosnan playing the lead role of Agent Bond. The working title of the film is "Bond 20". It is not clear whether Madonna will record the title track. She will join a string of singers such as Sir Paul McCartney, Rita Coolidge, Tom Jones, Sheena Easton, Dame Shirley Bassey and Nancy Sinatra who have recorded Bond movie tracks.
The manufactured pop group Hear'Say has selected Johnny Shentall as its fifth member from among over 4,500 hopefuls, to replace Kym Marsh. The announcement was made on February 5. Shentall is the fiance of Lisa Scott Lee of the now defunct group Steps. Hear'Say is planning a tour of the UK later this year.
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