The infamous couple's anniversary trip turned in to headline news this week, due to a longstanding embargo against US citizens visiting Cuba as tourists.

Jay-Z, reacting quickly to the media backlash against his time in Havana, Cuba's capital, released 'Open Letter' via his own website yesterday - using the song as a defiant statement that seemed to implicate President Obama in proceedings.

Jay-Z raps the line "Boy from the hood but got White House clearance" before going on to relate how "Obama said, chill, you gonna get me impeached. We don’t need this [expletive] anyway, chill with me on the beach."

Throughout the track he is also critical of the U.S.A's 50 year long tourist embargo against Cuba, stating:

"I’m in Cuba, I love Cubans. This communist talk is so confusing, when it’s from China this very mike that I’m using."

However when questioned over the claims of 'Open Letter', White House Spokesman Jay Carney reassured journalists that the US Treasury had granted the celebrity couple a license to travel, and cleared President Obama of any involvement.

"I guess nothing rhymes with Treasury," Mr Carney said. "The White House has nothing to do with it," he added.

The other headliner for the festival – staged in Philadelphia's Fairmount Park ­– announced today is industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails. Other acts include: Queens Of The Stone Age, Deadmau5, Phoenix, Calvin Harris, Empire of the Sun, Wiz Khalifa, Kendrick Lamar, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Public Enemy, Nero, 2 Chainz, The Gaslight Anthem, A$AP Rocky, Walk The Moon, Solange, Emeli Sande, Haim, Rudimental and Aluna George.

Following the announcement Paul Chibe, Budweiser's Vice President of marketing, said: "The point of having that diversity in our music lineup [is because] we're trying to expose the people to different types of music."

Watch Beyoncé's performance at the 2013 Superbowl here:

]]> London Newsdesk http://www.pressparty.com/pg/newsdesk/londonnewsdesk/view/72497/ Wed, 10 Apr 2013 03:00:00 +0100 http://www.pressparty.com/pg/newsdesk/londonnewsdesk/view/72497/ Movie director Baz Luhrmann has praised rapper Jay-Z for his work on the soundtrack for his latest film, 'The Great Gatsby'.

During an interview with Life & Times, Luhrmann explained that he really "connected" with Jay-Z on the music he produced for the motion picture: "[Jay-Z and I] connected over the idea of doing what Fitzgerald did – using popular music, the music of the streets, a blend, jazz, hip-hop and popular music throughout the film."

"In our thinking it became clear to us both, especially given the variety of artists we were working with, that this was no ordinary soundtrack and no ordinary music collaboration."

Luhrmann added that a chance meeting with the '99 Problems' hitmaker acted like a mark of fate and he knew they had to work together on the project: "When you are talking hip-hop, collaboration, and storytelling, the first person I think of is Jay-Z, and this is where it seemed serendipitous that Leo [DiCaprio] and I found ourselves with Jay on the night he was recording “No Church in the Wild” in New York."

Watch a trailer for the movie here:

The superstar singer gave birth to her first child Blue Ivy Carter in January last year as she solidified her relationship with husband Jay-Z.

Speaking to Vogue, the '4' star revealed that she was worried about her weight gain during the pregnancy.

However, the joy of giving life to a new child overcame any doubts over her image. Beyoncé said:

"There were moments when I felt my nose had spread 20 inches, and my face felt crazy fat, and my lips were swollen, and I gained 57 pounds! But ultimately I enjoyed it."

Speaking about post-pregnancy, the singer added: "After a month, I went strict. Before I gave birth I said, 'I don't want to get comfortable with whatever weight I gain. I want to still feel my best!'. I have a child - God willing - I'll give myself more time. Because it was just not necessary to do it that fast."

"The Great Gatsby" writer/producer/director Baz Luhrmann and collaborators Shawn "JAY Z" Carter, an executive producer on the film, and Anton Monsted , its executive music supervisor, revealed the lineup for the movie's soundtrack today, which encompasses the broad spectrum of musical styles represented in this energetic re-telling of the classic text.  The joint announcement was made today by Warner Bros. Pictures and Universal Music Group's Interscope Records.

Drawing on his unique and unrivalled position in popular culture, JAY Z (with collaborator and the film's executive music consultant Jeymes Samuel) has worked with Luhrmann and his team on the project over the past two years, translating the Jazz Age sensibility of F. Scott Fitzgerald 's novel into the musical equivalents of our own times, through the blending of hip-hop, traditional jazz and other contemporary musical textures. 

Luhrmann stated, " F. Scott Fitzgerald 's novel is peppered with contemporary music references specific to the story's setting of 1922.  While we acknowledge, as Fitzgerald phrased it, 'the Jazz Age,' and this is the period represented on screen, we—our audience—are living in the 'hip-hop age' and want our viewers to feel the impact of modern-day music the way Fitzgerald did for the readers of his novel at the time of its publication."

"The Great Gatsby is that classic American story of one's introduction to extravagance, decadence and illusion.  It's ripe for experimentation and ready to be interpreted with a modern twist.  The imagination Baz brought to 'Moulin Rouge!' made it a masterpiece, and 'Romeo + Juliet's' score wasn't just in the background; the music became a character.  This film's vision and direction has all the makings of an epic experience," JAY Z said in a previous statement.

JAY Z's own "No Church in the Wild," which he was recording when he and Luhrmann first came together, is included in the film, along with his original "100$ Bill."  The first single to drop will be the hauntingly melodious track "Young and Beautiful," from recent Brit Award winner for Best International Female Solo Artist, Lana Del Rey ; the music video and song release are scheduled for April 22nd and April 23rd, respectively.  Del Rey collaborated with Luhrmann in creating the song.

Del Rey said, "It was an honor to work with Baz Luhrmann on his amazing adaptation of one of the most extraordinary books ever written.  The movie is highly glamorous and exciting; Rick Nowels and I were thrilled to write the song for the film."

Luhrmann also worked personally alongside good friends and collaborators Florence Welch , of Florence + The Machine, and The xx.  Each of the artists worked to picture.

The highly eclectic soundtrack also features songs performed by such artists as Beyonce x Andre 3000; Fergie + Q Tip + GoonRock; Coco O. of Quadron, Gotye; Nero; and Sia.  Moviegoers will also recognize a few favorites with a new twist, such asJack White 's interpretation of U2's "Love Is Blindness," Beyonce x Andre 3000 collaborating on Amy Winehouse's "Back to Black," and Bryan Ferry 's new take on a couple of classics: his own "Love Is The Drug," and, with Emeli Sande , Beyonce's "Crazy in Love."  New songs by Florence + The Machine, Lana Del Rey , Nero, will.i.am and The xx were written for scenes in the film, and appear on the soundtrack.

A new trailer for the film will be released by Warner Bros. Pictures on April 4th, and will feature the songs "Back To Black," from Beyonce x Andre 3000; "Young And Beautiful," from Lana Del Rey ; and "Over The Love," from Florence + The Machine.  The trailer can be viewed at www.thegreatgatsbymovie.com.

The score is composed by Luhrmann's regular collaborator, Craig Armstrong , who worked with the director on "Moulin Rouge!" and " William Shakespeare 's Romeo + Juliet."

Beginning May 7th, Target stores and Target.com will be the exclusive U.S. retailer of the of the 17-track deluxe edition of the album.  That date will also see the album available at digital retailers (available for pre-order on April 23rd).  A 14-track physical version will also be available at Starbucks in the U.S. and Canada, and widely, both physically and digitally, at various retailers.  Internationally, the soundtrack will be released in physical, digital, deluxe and standard formats on May 6th.

Both the standard album and the deluxe edition will be released worldwide by Interscope Records.

The full track list for "The Great Gatsby" standard soundtrack album is as follows:

1. 100$ Bill - JAY Z
2. Back To Black - Beyonce x Andre 3000
3. Bang Bang - will.i.am
4. A Little Party Never Killed Nobody (All We Got) - Fergie + Q Tip + GoonRock
5. Young And Beautiful - Lana Del Rey
6. Love Is The Drug - Bryan Ferry with The Bryan Ferry Orchestra
7. Over The Love - Florence + The Machine
8. Where The Wind Blows - Coco O. of Quadron
9. Crazy in Love - Emeli Sande and The Bryan Ferry Orchestra
10. Together – The xx
11. Hearts A Mess - Gotye
12. Love Is Blindness – Jack White
13. Into the Past - Nero
14. Kill and Run - Sia

The deluxe soundtrack will feature the above songs, plus three additional bonus tracks.

From the uniquely imaginative mind of writer/producer/director Baz Luhrmann comes the new big screen adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald 's novel The Great Gatsby.  The filmmaker created his own distinctive visual interpretation of the classic story, bringing the period to life in a way that has never been seen before, in the film starring Leonardo DiCaprio in the title role.

"The Great Gatsby" follows would-be writer Nick Carraway as he leaves the Midwest and comes to New York City in the spring of 1922, an era of loosening morals, glittering jazz, bootleg kings, and sky-rocketing stocks.  Chasing his own American Dream, Nick lands next door to a mysterious, party-giving millionaire, Jay Gatsby , and across the bay from his cousin, Daisy, and her philandering, blue-blooded husband, Tom Buchanan .  It is thus that Nick is drawn into the captivating world of the super rich, their illusions, loves and deceits.  As Nick bears witness, within and without of the world he inhabits, he pens a tale of impossible love, incorruptible dreams and high-octane tragedy, and holds a mirror to our own modern times and struggles.

Academy Award® nominee DiCaprio ("Django Unchained," "Aviator") plays Jay Gatsby , with Tobey Maguire starring as Nick Carraway ; Oscar® nominee Carey Mulligan ("An Education") and Joel Edgerton as Daisy and Tom Buchanan ; Isla Fisher andJason Clarke as Myrtle and George Wilson ; and newcomer Elizabeth Debicki as Jordan Baker .  Indian film legend Amitabh Bachchan will play the role of Meyer Wolfsheim.

Oscar® nominee Luhrmann ("Moulin Rouge!") directs the film in 3D from a screenplay co-written with frequent collaborator Craig Pearce , based on Fitzgerald's novel.  Luhrmann produces, along with Catherine Martin , Academy Award® winner Douglas Wick ("Gladiator"), Lucy Fisher and Catherine Knapman .  The executive producers are Academy Award® winner Barrie M. Osborne ("Lord of the Rings – Return of the King"), JAY Z and Bruce Berman .

Two-time Academy Award®-winning production and costume designer Catherine Martin ("Moulin Rouge!") designs as well as produces.  The editors are Matt Villa , Jason Ballantine and Jonathan Redmond , and the director of photography is Simon Duggan .  The music is by Craig Armstrong .

Warner Bros. Pictures presents, in association with Village Roadshow Pictures, in association with A&E Television, a Bazmark/Red Wagon Entertainment Production, a Film by Baz Luhrmann , "The Great Gatsby."  Opening beginning May 10, 2013, the film will be distributed in 3D and 2D by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, and in select territories by Village Roadshow Pictures.

The 19-year-old star has endured a difficult 2013 so far, with a string of negative headlines sourced from a recent trip to the UK exacerbating the Canadian's reputation.

Bieber addressed the reports surrounding him in a recent interview with Teen Vogue.

He explained: "I don't need to address every speculation. Remember when Cam'ron dissed Jay-Z? Jay-Z didn’t even respond. Why didn't he respond, because he’s Jay-Z."

Bieber's comparison was in reference to the feud between the famed hip hop stars.

The star also maintained in the interview that reports of a "breakdown" are very much unfounded.

He added: "I know who I am, and I'm very much in control."

will.i.am also recently spoke out on the troubles surrounding Bieber, explaining: "Justin's going to be OK. It's dangerous to be a child star, but it's dangerous to be a child in the ghetto, or to be a child at school being bullied."

The pair collaborated on his previous single, 'Suit & Tie', and will also head out on tour together across North America in July with the final date taking place a month later in August. Speaking about their partnership, Timberlake explained:

"Jay-Z and I have known each other for a while. Always had a great relationship. I think we're just kinda the same type of guy. He's very relaxed. Easy-going. ‘Suit & Tie’ came out of that - we were just having fun."

"We had an extra room in the studio in New York, and I said, I want to do a dance record, but not like a 120 bpm dance record. I want to do like a Marvin Gaye ‘Gotta Give It Up,’ Curtis Mayfield, ‘Move On Up.’”

The 'SexyBack' superstar is also set to perform a collaborative set with Jay-Z at London's Wireless Festival later this summer, but both artists will play individual sets at the popular outdoor event during the two days before.

Watch Timberlake and Jay-Z's 2013 GRAMMYs performance here: