Music

POP UNCULTURED: A roundup of weird music news for the week ending January 13

by Anne T. Donahue

Since it’s impossible to address the total madness of the music industry in only five days, Pop Uncultured saves some of the week’s strangest stories for Friday afternoon. Enjoy?

Jay-Z is a new Duracell spokesperson [FULL STORY]

In case you were worried that the recent birth of his child would never be eclipsed, Jay-Z has been named a new Duracell spokesperson because he believes “they’re providing the solutions for the future.” Evidently, the Energizer Bunny remains unimpressed, claiming his feud with Jay-Z will just “keep going and going and going.”

Beyonce had a fly named after her [FULL STORY]

Not to be out shined by her battery-hawking husband, Beyonce has had a fly named after her thanks to the insect’s golden hairs that line its abdomen. Bryan Lessard from the Australian Science Agency (CSIRO) explains it was the “all-time diva of flies’ unique dense golden hairs on [its] abdomen that led to name this fly in honor of the performer Beyonce.” Why, if those hairs were positioned on top of the fly, they might even resemble a … HALO.

Jay-Z and Beyonce had their baby [FULL STORY]

OH, AND Jay-Z and Beyonce had a baby they named Blue Ivy.

Snoop Dogg has a new cigar brand

After getting arrested in Texas this week, Snoop Dogg has bounced back, announcing plans to launch his own cigar line he’s named “Executive Branch.” Made with “premium tobacco from the Dominican Republic,” the rapper plans to sell a two-pack of cigarillos first that fans can get at Coachella when he headlines with Dr. Dre. In other news, the year is 1994. [via Billboard]

Bush is opening for Nickelback on tour [FULL STORY]

But perhaps this is the lonely hopeless place Rihanna has been referring to.

Lil Wayne to release a prison memoir

Vulture reports that Ll Wayne will be releasing a prison memoir called Gone Till November, which will consist of diary entries kept during his time on Riker’s Island in 2010. Sorry, to spoil it, but we know how this ends:

NPR checks to see if Toronto likes Drake [FULL STORY]

Earlier this week, NPR looked into whether the love between Drake and Toronto was mutually exclusive, and while we encourage you to read the article in full, rumour has it that attendees at OVO Fest heard the CN Tower whisper “I love you” throughout most of the night. Said Drake under his breath, “[everything he says in ‘Shot For Me’].”

Brandy and Monica are recording a follow up to “The Boy Is Mine” [FULL STORY]

But WHOSE BOY WILL IT BE?

Justin Timberlake is launching MySpace TV [FULL STORY]

After announcing a partnership with Panasonic, Justin Timberlake has proven that his investment in MySpace was not a joke – especially with the upcoming launch of MySpace TV. Said MySpace of the development, “But WE were joking, you guys.”

Fred Durst is on Tumblr and documenting his juice fast [FULL STORY]

TGIF, everyone!