娱乐英语新闻:Bieber to Undergo Paternity Test; Rapper Heavy D Dies

Bieber to Undergo Paternity Test

Pop superstar Justin Bieber, who was recently accused of fathering a fan’s four-month-old baby, says he’ll take a paternity test when he returns to the U.S. from his European tour.  San Diego resident Mariah Yeater claims she had a brief encounter with Bieber following his 2010 concert at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.  Bieber was 16 years old at the time and Mariah was 19.  He denied the encounter and during an interview on NBC’s Today Show said he never met Yeater.  His spokesperson, Matthew Hiltzik, released a statement saying they plan to “vigorously pursue all available legal remedies to protect Justin and to hold those involved with bringing this suit accountable for their actions.”

In other Justin Bieber news, his new holiday collection, Under the Mistletoe, debuts at Number One on this week’s Billboard 200 chart.  First-week sales reached 210,000 copies in the United States.  Under the Mistletoe is Bieber’s third chart-topping album.  Five additional albums make Top 10 entries on this week’s Billboard 200. They include Wale’s Ambition (Number 2), Miranda Lambert’s Four the Record (Number 3), Susan Boyle’s Someone to Watch Over Me (Number 4), Florence + the Machine’s Ceremonials (Number 6) and Tyrese’s Open Invitation (Number 9).

Rapper Heavy D Dies

AP

On November 8, rapper Heavy D died after experiencing breathing problems while walking near his home in Beverly Hills, California.  He was 44.  He was reportedly conscious when transported to a local hospital, where he later died.  The cause of death has not been released, but TMZ.com reports that Heavy D had been suffering from pneumonia.  Born Dwight Myers in Jamaica, Heavy D moved to New York in 1967.  He and friends Glen Parrish, Eddie Ferrell and Troy Dixon formed the rap group Heavy D & the Boyz.  They recorded three million-selling albums and charted with such hits as “Somebody For Me,” “Now That We Found Love,” “Got Me Waiting” and “Big Daddy.”

R.E.M. Releases Final Album

Reuters

On November 15, Warner Brothers Records will release R.E.M.’s final album.  R.E.M., Part Lies, Part Heart, Part Truth, Part Garbage, 1982-2011 contains 40 songs that span the Georgia-based rock band’s entire career.  Also featured are the new tracks “Hallelujah,” “A Month of Saturdays” and the group’s current single, “We All Go Back to Where We Belong.”  In September, R.E.M. announced that they were disbanding.


Lennon Tribute CD Profits Will Benefit Japanese Red Cross

AP

Last year’s “30th Annual John Lennon Tribute, Live From the Beacon Theatre NYC” will be digitally released on November 15.  Proceeds from sales of the 15-track album will benefit the Japanese Red Cross and its earthquake and tsunami relief efforts.  The show featured appearances by Jackson Browne, Meshell Ndegeocello, Bettye LaVette, Aimee Mann, Patti Smith, Joan Osborne, Taj Mahal, and others.

Andy Williams Battling Cancer

AP

Andy Williams has announced that he’s battling bladder cancer.  The 83-year-old crooner told the audience at his recent Christmas show in Branson, Missouri, “I do have cancer of the bladder, but that is no longer a death sentence.  People with cancer are getting through this thing.  They’re kicking it, and they’re winning more and more every year.  And I’m going to be one of them.”  Williams will celebrate his 75th year in music in 2012.

New Album Releases November 15:

“Concerto: One Night In Central Park” by Andrea Bocelli
“Stadium” by Akon
“The Sound of a Million Dreams” by David Nail
“Take Care” by Drake
“God’s Not Dead” by Newsboys
“Songs of December” by Paul Anka
“Greatest Hits” by Chris Tomlin
the original soundtrack to “A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas”
“Best of the Best” by Frank Sinatra

Look Who's Going On Tour!

Demi Lovato's "Unbroken" CD

Demi Lovato will begin a 10-date tour in Detroit, Michigan on November 16.  The 19-year-old pop singer will be supporting her new album Unbroken, which produced her first Top 10 solo hit, “Skyscraper.”  The song sold 500,000 digital copies to become her first gold record.  Lovato will wrap up the concerts on December 3 in Chicago, Illinois.  From December 6-11, she’ll appear at five radio station-sponsored multi-artist Christmas shows before taking a break for the holidays.