What's Hot

  JONAH BAYER  

+ Friend

.

.
Last night, the 2011 BET Awards hit LA’s Shrine Auditorium and in case you didn’t tune in, the big winner was Chris Brown who took home an award for Best Male R&B Artist as well as another trophy for Best Collaboration for his Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes-aided ”Look At Me Now.” In addition to performing his own material, Brown also won the BET Viewers’ Choice award, despite the fact that the presenter initially presented it to Drake due to a technical error.
.
Other big winners last night included Nicki Minaj who took home an award for Best Female Hip-Hop Artist, while the duo Mary Mary laid claim to Best Gospel Album. Patti LaBelle was presented a Lifetime Achievement Award by Gladys Knight. Additionally, Snoop Dogg, Warren G and others paid tribute to artists who passed away this year, such as Clarence Clemons, Nate Dogg, Gil Scott-Heron and Tina Marie, during a heartfelt performance.
.

  EMILY ZEMLER  

+ Friend

.

.
Drake’s record label Universal ordered two of the artist’s tracks be removed from his blog and other sites last week. The artist, however, does not support these actions and slammed the label via Twitter.
.
“Universal needs to stop taking my fucking songs down,” Drake tweeted. “I am doing this for the people not for your label.”
.
The original versions of two of Drake’s new songs, “Marvins Room” and “Trust Issues,” were removed from his blog. The artist had posted the numbers to help bolster fan support for his next record Take Care. “Chopped up not slopped up” remixes are still available on his site. Drake plans to release that disc on October 24 (his birthday) and the first single off the record will drop next month.
.

  EMILY ZEMLER  

+ Friend

.

.
New York state made history on Friday night as it passed a bill that allows gay marriage. The state joins Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Iowa and Washington D.C. as the only places in the U.S. that permit equality in marriage.
.
Numerous musicians reacted to this news as it spread on Friday, including, Lady Gaga, who has been an outspoken proponent of gay rights. Gaga tweeted, “I can’t stop crying. We did it kids.” She also posted a photo of herself celebrating and wrote, “The revolution is ours to fight for love, justice+equality. Rejoice NY, and propose. We did it!!!”
.
Katy Perry also posted a photo of herself celebrating the news, saying, “We out celebrating #EQUALITYFORALL!” She added, “NEW YORK! I [love] U! You’re OFFICIALLY the coolest place on the planet!”
.

  EMILY ZEMLER  

+ Friend

.

.
Cee Lo Green has announced he’s dropping off Rihanna’s summer tour. The singer claims his judging role on The Voice as the main reason for his departure, adding that he’s also planning to spend time on a new album and book.
.
Green’s spokesperson said, “He always puts 100 percent into his work and with the requirements and time commitment to The Voice, on top of heading back into the recording studio and an upcoming book, he feels that he wouldn’t give his fans the show that they deserve.”
.
The artist has performed on 17 dates of Rihanna’s tour throughout the first half of June. The Voice concludes this week with its finale, so it’s unclear what impact the show would really have on any upcoming tour dates. Green also recently became engaged in a Twitter feud with a critic who gave his performance on The Voice a negative review. Green responded to the review by tweeting, “”I respect your criticism, but be fair! People enjoyed last night! I’m guessing you’re gay? And my masculinity offended you? Well f— you!”
.

.
Sean Kingston is all recovered and is back to work. Here’s he’s droppin’ the official woman’s World Cup anthem ‘Ready Or Not.” Take a listen.
.