Carter & Zandu Press: December 2013

Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Happy New Year!!!! Live, Love & Celebrate With a Little "Magna Carta" & "Beyoncé"

Happy 2014 everyone!!! Be Safe!!! Celebrate & celebrate with a little "Magna Carta Holy Grail" & Beyoncé" of course!!!

Happy Birthday LeBron!!!! Enjoy, Celebrate & Rest!!!

Today, King James turned 29!!! And tonight he gave himself & basketball fans a gift, he and his Heat beat the Denver Nuggets in Denver. And it was quite a game. Now it's back to MIA to celebrate!!!

Happy birthday LeBron, and may your 2014 be even better than your 2013.

Jay & B are celebrating and enjoying The Carter Life in Miami.

Sunday they took in a Miami tradition, "Sunday Funday" where they bumped into Gloria Estefan and her family.

On Monday they were snapped in Wynwood after having lunch at Joey's Italian Cafe. The two fit right into the artsy neighborhood.

B snapped photos of their outing and uploaded them on Instagram.

The Carters are in Florida for Jay's Magna Carta World Tour, which resumes in Sunrise, FL on January 2.

Friday, December 27, after spending Christmas in New York, they flew to Atlanta for Jay's Philips Arena show--where he tore the house down. B, Trey Songz, Jeezy, Jermaine Dupri, Bow Wow and others attended the concert and then celebrated with Jay afterwards at Club Reign.

Then Saturday, they were off to Birmingham, were Jay dazzled both fans and critics at the BJCC Arena. Then they were off to their current destination, Miami...The Carter Life.

Check out photos from Miami and Atlanta below.

Beyoncé has released the fourth video in her "Self-Titled" series, which gives us a deeper look into her new album, BEYONCÉ.

The latest feature "Self-Titled" Part 4 . Liberation takes us into the beginning stages of the album. In the clip B takes us to the Hamptons--where the magic happened--she talks about her own sexual liberation, and the impact that motherhood played on the making of the new album.

Her two favorite people, Blue and Jay both make appearances in the clip.

B also talks about the day Jay proposed to her (it was on his birthday). She revealed that she took him to Crazy Horse which, inspired the "Partition" video, their relationship inspired the entire song. Too cute. Watch Mrs. Carter talk Liberation below.

The Carter Life: Beyoncé & Blue Spend Time on Set in Brazil....

B shared another adorable photo of her and Blue enjoying mommy-daughter-time. This time it's a photo from their time in Brazil. The photo is from the set of "Blue" featuring Blue Ivy Carter, one of the many jewels off, of B's new album. How cute are they. I luv it!!!

Billboard released their official numbers yesterday, and as expected B is still No. 1 on the Billboard 200 Album Chart.

In its second week, "Beyoncé" sold 374,000 copies in the week ending Dec. 22, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

So far, in its first 10 days of release, "Beyoncé" has sold 991,000 and is the 12th biggest-selling album of 2013. And there's still one more tracking week left this year, which means "Beyoncé", will most likely finish 2013 among the top 10 sellers of the year. She's unstoppable!!! Well done B!!! Well done!!!

On the singles front, Billboard reports:

Beyonce blasts in at No. 12 with "Drunk in Love." The bow matches her best: she also started at No. 12 in 2006 with "Ring the Alarm".

"Drunk," from Beyonce's self-titled set which commands the Billboard 200 for a second week, arrives with 58% of its Hot 100 points owed to streaming; the cut enters Streaming Songs at No. 3 with 6.3 million first-week U.S. streams. Sales comprise 28% of the song's Hot 100 points total, and airplay, 14%. It debuts on Digital Songs at No. 21 (61,000) and nears Radio Songs with 23 million in audience (up 150%).

"Drunk" enters the R&B Songs chart at No. 1 and R&B/Hip-Hop Songs at No. 2. Plus, two other tracks from "Beyonce" debut on the Hot 100: "XO" (No. 66) and "Mine," featuring Drake (No. 99).

Congrats B!!!

What a Christmas Day show, LeBron and Dwayne Wade put on. Two plays in particular made you wonder if you were watching and actual game, because what was on display was more like, what you would see on a video game. The two were in perfect sync.

Check out King James' two incredible plays assisted by Wade. The Heat won another Christmas Day match up against, the Lakers.

Photo Shoot Fresh: Dwayne Wade & Gabrielle Union Share Family Christmas Card

It's another Wade/Union Family Christmas. The newly engaged couple shared their first family Christmas card.

Dwayne & Gabby, along with his sons Zaire & Zion, and nephew Dahveon all partook in the family fun.

Dwayne shared the video footage from the shoot, along with photos. What a beautiful family.

Dwayne and the Heat got an extra special Christmas treat yesterday, beating the LA Lakers at the Staples Center. What a show he and LeBron put on.

Check out the footage below.

After the Carters put Blue to bed, they went out and celebrated Christmas Eve, with a night out on the town. They partied at Greenhouse in the city.

It's Nothing like partying in NYC at Christmas time.

I'm glad Jay & B are enjoying a night out, especially since, they've both been working so hard.

Check out more photos below.

Beyoncé roc'd Tom Ford last week, at the visual screening for her record breaking fifth solo album, "Beyoncé". The event was attended by fans, friends, album collaborators, and the press. And was held at the School of Visual Arts Theater in NYC.

During the screening B confidentially talked about the album, the influences and vision behind it. She also talked about her decision for self-management and being inspired by Madonna's business savvy.

B also revealed that she was very scared about releasing the album, the way she did: no promo, no single, no nothing.

Check out the complete video from B's album Q&A below.

Beyoncé's "Self-Titled" series gives us personal insight into her vision, for her incredible new album, BEYONCÉ. It details Beyoncé's mind-set and artistic vision throughout the making of the entire project. (Source: Beyonce.com)

In the third installment B takes us behind the scenes of her and Jay's sexy new hit, "Drunk In Love".

B talks about working with new producer Detail, being in the studio with Jay, and the freedom of making the album. B also takes us behind the scenes of "No Angel" and more.

Keep making art B!!! Watch the clip below. Also check out parts 1 & 2.

Beyoncé sent out a special thanks to all those who support her, and help make her "dreams come true" --she shared a hand written note along, with her 2013 holiday card--thanking and wishing everyone a happy holiday.

Thanks B, you deserve all our support. Thank you for giving us another wonderful album, and for continuing to be a strong woman, that we can all admire, and look up to.

Enjoy your time with Jay, Blue and your family!!! Happy Holidays!!!

Rick Ross X Jay Z..."The Devil Is A Lie"; The Hip Hop Heavy Weights Take Us On Another Musical Journey

Rick Ross called on his, Big Homie, Jay Z for another masterpiece. This time the two heavy weights tackled evil, conspiracy and the Illuminati rumors.

Hov goes right at all the silliness, and the conspiracy that surrounds him. He talks about the devil that is often right in our faces, trying to bring us down. Mr. Carter didn't disappoint!!! King Hov.

Head over to iTunes, to purchase the track.

D. Wade & Gabrielle Union let the world know, about their engagement today, via social media of course. Both posted a photo (below) of the ring with messages on their Instagram pages:

Gabrielle wrote: Sooooo this happened... #Yessss 💃💃💃👏👏👏🙏🙏🙏😍😍😍"

D. Wade wote: "She said YES!!!" he wrote.

What a ring! The couple has been together since 2007. It looks like another Miami Heat wedding!!! Sweet.

On Thursday night, after wowing the crowd at at the Barclays Center in BK--I attended the show and the Queen was of course a force of nature, during the show she said to us, "Twenty years from now you'll be able to say I was at that Beyoncé show, the week she sold a million albums, indeed I will, indeed I will, singing along to "XO" for the first time was another one of my many highlights from the night--B headed to Times Square for her official album release party at Dave & Busters.

B, her team, dancers & crew, packed the arcade, along with album (video) collaborators Drake & Jessica White. B's good friend and jeweler Lorraine Schwartz attended, as did a host of others, who came out to celebrate, the incredible album.

Check out photos of the album release party and of B roc'n BK.

B stunned in Tom Ford tonight in NYC. She roc'd the designer for the screening of her, record breaking, #1 album, "Beyoncé" at the School Of Visual Arts Theater.

Those in attendance got to roc out to the Queen's 17 videos, munch on Beyoncé popcorn and got served by models .

B answered questions about motherhood, her new music, the videos and keeping it all top secret.

Be sure to pick up your copy of "Beyoncé" today. It's an incredible album. It's personal, soulful, sexy and musically eclectic.

Check out photos and videos from the event below.

Herstory: Beyoncé Makes History...Scores Fifth Consecutive #1 Album...

Billboard made it official tonight, B's earned her fifth consecutive No. 1 album...earning her a spot in history.

"Beyoncé" is B's fifth consecutive number one album, making her the first woman to have her first five studio albums go No. 1: "Dangerously In Love" (2003), "B'Day" (2006), "I Am... Sasha Fierce" (2008) and "4" (2011).

Congrats B!!!

And "Beyoncé" keeps breaking records:

"Beyonce" was released on the morning of Friday, Dec. 13 -- exclusively via the iTunes Store without any pre-release announcement -- and it sold 617,000 copies through the week ending Sunday, Dec. 15, according to Nielsen SoundScan. That's a record high sales week for Beyonce, as the diva's previous best week came when "B'Day" bowed with 541,000.

Many were wondering how did Beyoncé and her team keep her brand new visuals album, "Beyoncé" top secret.

B's team talked to ELLE.com about how they kept the visual album under lock & key, until its surprise release, Friday, December 13, 2013.

B's stylist and good friend Ty Hunter told ELLE:

“Well, people knew things were going on,” admitted Beyoncé’s fashion director and confidante of over 15 years, Ty Hunter, who was charged with overseeing the 17 music videos, all shot as Beyoncé traveled the globe on her Mrs. Carter Show World Tour. “But the thing is, we’re such a tight-knit family.”

The sheer scope of the project, with videos being shot over this past year, from such far flung places as Australia, Brazil, France to the US, still remains baffling to Hunter. “When you finally see the final project, you’re just like ‘I can’t believe we survived it,’" he says. “We were able to pull this off which is unheard of. It’s just a celebration for the whole team.”

According to Hunter, the project has been in the works for nearly two years. But the first video—the bonus cut “Grown Woman”—was shot approximately one year ago. For him, the project was most stressful not only because he had to curate Beyoncé’s looks for 17 videos, but also because the clothes he hand-selected with Beyoncé, and then ordered by phone, often had to be sent overseas on a moment’s notice. “I’d have it sent and pray that the pieces and the packages would be received by different hotels in other countries,” he explained, adding that he felt “blessed” to have five premier stylists—B. Akerlund, Lysa Cooper, Marni Senofonte, Karen Langley, and Raquel Smith—assisting him.

Taking a page from her hubby's book, B's releasing video docs about her brand new visual album, "Beyoncé". Today she released Part 2. Imperfection. The video offers more insight behind the inspiration for the album.

She relives her Star Search moment and decodes "Pretty Hurts". And she shows off her two favorite people, Jay & Blue.

Watch the clip below.

Kelly confirmed, what her latest photos already confirmed, she's engaged to her longtime love and manager Tim Witherspoon!!! She officialy revealed the news on The Queen Latifah Show yesterday morning.

Kelly revealed to Queen, Latifah, that he proposed via Skype, because she was working in Bulgaria.
She revealed:

It's been a while. We've kept it very, very low—for years, to be completely honest." "He asked me first on Skype and I was like, 'We're so far away from each other.'""But it was so late, I remember we were both just kinda like, honestly, just staring at each other. And he asked me, and it was just that simple to say yes. I was like, 'I got my best friend to ride through life with.' He really is my best friend."

Congratulations, Kelly & Tim. I wish you nothing but, happiness. Watch the segment below.

The Show Continues: Beyoncé's The Mrs. Carter Show Adds More 2014 Dates....

Mrs. Carter is extending her world tour once again. Beyonce.com has released the 2014 dates for Europe. The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour now has two more dates in the UK. The show kicks off, February, 20, 2014 at the Hydro Arena in Glasgow, and ends March 27, 2014, in Lisbon, Portugal.

Check out the full list of dates below. And head to Beyonce.com for ticket information.

It's official B's broken another record!!! This time it belongs to iTunes. After crashing iTunes with the surprise release of her fifth solo record, "Beyoncé". She's taken their record, too.

via iTunes:

BEYONCÉ has become the fastest selling album ever on the iTunes Store worldwide with an unprecedented 828,773 albums sold in just its first three days. BEYONCÉ also broke the US first week album sales record with 617,213 sold and proved to be a global success going to number one in 104 countries.

The self-titled, BEYONCÉ, is the fifth solo studio album from Beyoncé, which was made available exclusively worldwide on the iTunes Store on December 13 by Parkwood Entertainment/Columbia Records. The self-titled set is the artist’s first visual album. BEYONCÉ is infused with 14 new songs and 17 visually stunning, provocative videos shot around the world from Houston to New York City to Paris, and Sydney to Rio de Janeiro, all before the album’s release. The album represents Beyoncé’s biggest sales week ever.

Check out a video of Access Hollywood talking about Beyoncé's brilliance, below.

B released "Drunk In Love" featuring Mr. Carter and the "XO" videos on VEVO today. The first two official singles off her record breaking brand new album, "Beyoncé".

Relive this weekend's delight, below.

The Carters in this video....:)

"Drunk In Love" debuted at #48 on Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay, the week's top debut. Not bad for only a day of airplay. ;)

Check out "XO" below. "XO" will be going for Top 40 adds, starting tomorrow, Tuesday, December 17, 2013.

Queen of The Stage: Beyoncé Performs "XO" in Chicago, For The 1st Time...

After sending the world into another frenzy, with her surprise, self-titled fifth solo album, "Beyoncé" --9PM Thursday, December 12-- treated the Chicago Hive, to another treat, the debut performance of her ballad, "XO" one of the many jewels from her sensual new album.

Watch the performance below. Those vocals.

All that power!!! A scene from "Yonce"...from the visual album "Beyoncé" out now.

Beyoncé's fifth self-titled visual album, "Beyoncé" is destined for #1. It'll be B's fifth consecutive #1. And it looks like she's going to have a pretty big first week.

The album was released at midnight Friday, December 13, exclusively to iTunes. Billboard reports:

Beyonce’s self-titled surprise release, which hit iTunes exclusively, has now sold over 430,000 units in just over one day, guaranteeing it the top slot on the Billboard 200 once that chart’s top 10 is revealed mid-week.

The surprise--which B shared to the world on Facebook and Instagram--sent the internet and iTunes into a frenzy.

“Beyonce” shifted slightly over 80,000 in the three hours from 9 p.m. PT to midnight on Thursday evening, putting her Friday sales at roughly 350,000.

At 430,000, “Beyonce” is already set to become the biggest debuting album by a female artist since Taylor Swift's “Red" (Nov 10, 2012). And if predictions in the 600,000 range hold, the set would grant Beyonce the best debut week- and best sales week period- of her career. Her 2006 album “B’day” started with 541,000 in September 2006. (Billboard.com)

Billboard reports that the first two singles from the album will be "Drunk In Love" the sexy R&B/Hip-Hop track featuring Jay Z. The track is hawtt!!! The video is crazy. Both are hypnotic. It picks up right where their Grammy nominated track,"Part II On The Run" left off. It's krazy!!! I luv it!!!

"Blow", the sexy dance throwback, which is ready for dance floors worldwide, will be sent to Top 40 radio. Both will go for adds next week, Billboard also reports that multiple sources confirmed that plans are for XO,” a rousing ballad penned by Ryan Tedder and The-Dream, will follow later in 2014 as the second single at Top 40. Not that what just happened is about one song -- even to radio programmers, many of whom started playing “Beyonce” in its entirety on Friday.

Queen B!!! Will forever reign supreme!!!

Mrs. Carter surprised us all, with the perfect Friday the 13 treat--her fifth solo album. The self-titled project is soulful, sexy and
most personal to-date.

B's vocals are topnotch, and she showcases her vocal growth on the album--showcasing her diverse range, on tracks like "Drunk In Love", "XO", "Pretty Hurts", "No Angel", and "Blow".

The album is a complete piece of work.

B sings about the ups & downs of love, life, and womanhood. And of course she sings about her two favorite people, Jay & Blue, both appear on the album.

And then there are the videos. From the first visual "Pretty Hurts" --to the last piece-- "Grown Woman" it's pure art. An incredible performance piece. Bravo B!!!

"I see music," Beyoncé said in a video on her Facebook page, dubbed "Self-Titled, Part 1," just minutes after her surprise announcement of "Beyoncé," her fifth album. “It’s more than just what I hear. When I’m connected to something, I immediately see a visual or a series of images that are tied to a feeling or an emotion, a memory from my childhood, thoughts about life, my dreams or my fantasies. And they’re all connected to the music.” --Beyoncé

The album is available exclusively at iTunes until December 20. Head over to iTunes to get your copy today. According to Billboard, it's sold over 430, 000 in its first day of release:

Beyonce’s self-titled surprise release, which hit iTunes exclusively on Thursday evening (9 p.m. PT), has now sold over 430,000 units in just over one day, guaranteeing it the top slot on the Billboard 200 once that chart’s top 10 is revealed mid-week. “Beyonce” shifted slightly over 80,000 in the three hours from 9 p.m. PT to midnight on Thursday evening, putting her Friday sales at roughly 350,000. With two more days left in the sales tracking week, the title could sell over 600,000 before the buzzer sounds. (Source: Billboard)

I love the album!!! I'm Drunk In Love With It...:) Check out the full tracklist and more videos about the album below....it's a soulful masterpiece.

Photo Shoot Fresh: Beyoncé Gives Teen Vogue a Look Into Her New Fragrance.....

Teen Vogue gave the world a glimpse of B's upcoming fragrance. They posted the news on Instagram, with the following message:

"A hand-written note from @Beyonce and a preview of her new fragrance? Our beauty editors just had the best day ever."

Over the weekend a tease of B's "Grown Woman" leaked on the net. The video,inspired from the track, like has Afrikan dance weaved throughout, and B is killing it. Can't wait to see the video in full.

Check it out below. And catch, B performing "Grown Woman on tour this winter. Her Mrs. Carter Show World Tour is in Dallas, Monday night, and continues it's second trek of North America wrapping at the Barclays Center, December 22, 2013.

Mrs. Carter has made Grammy history, again. She received her 46th Grammy Nomination, for her contribution to Jay's "Part II On The Run" --one of the many jewels off his Grammy nominated, Magna Carta...Holy Grail.

The nomination ties B, with Dolly Parton, for the most nominated female in Grammy history, both have 46.

B has 17 Grammys. Maybe we'll get the first performance of her new single, Grammy Sunday. Check out the awards, Sunday, January 26, 2014.

Listen to the soulful track below.

Congratulations Jay!!! For your nine Grammy nominations.

Jay Z tops the nominations for the 56th Grammy Awards. He leads the night with nine; Kendrick Lamar, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Justin Timberlake, and Pharrell Williams each earned seven; while Drake and mastering engineer Bob Ludwig are up for five awards.

Let's hope he performs, and that he adds to his already 17 Grammys.

The Awards will be held, Sunday, January 26, 2014. Check out the full list of Jay's nominations below. And be sure to catch Jay, on the North American leg of his Magna Carta World Tour, which is currently on the West Coast.

Rest In Peace Nelson Mandela

July 18, 1918 -- December 5. 2013

Rest in Peace Madiba. Today heaven gained another angel.

Video Soul: Tamar Braxton Debuts "All The Way Home" + "She Can Have You" Videos

Tamar finally released the video for her soulful, third single, "All The Way Home" and it was worth the wait. She put on one hell of a performance in the video. And she was joined by her hubby Vince, who plays her leading man. The two act out a true, Tamar & Vince moment.

She also debuted the video for "She Can Have You" off her new Christmas album, "Winter Loversland". Check it out below.

Jay & B were snapped shopping in LA yesterday, December 3. So were they holiday shopping? Or maybe B, was getting him a birthday gift.

Today they are celebrating Jay's birthday, and then, on Friday, they're both back to arenas full of people screaming out their names. B's in Vegas at the MGM Grand Garden Arena and Jay's in Anaheim at the Honda Center.

Check out more photos below.

Jay & B's 22 Day Challenge began yesterday on December 3. Jay shared the news about the vegan challenge on his website yesterday:

Psychologists have said it takes 21 days to make or break a habit. On the 22nd day, you’ve found the way.

On December 3rd, one day before my 44th birthday I will embark on a 22 Days challenge to go completely vegan, or as I prefer to call it, plant-based!! This all began a few months back when a good friend and vegan challenged me to embrace a “plant-based breakfast” every day. It was surprisingly easier on me than I thought…

Why now? There’s something spiritual to me about it being my 44th birthday and the serendipity behind the number of days in this challenge; 22 (2+2=4) coupled with the fact that the challenge ends on Christmas day…It just feels right!

So you can call it a spiritual and physical cleanse. I will post my progress… Any professional vegans out there that have any great food spots please help out! Please ha. I don’t know what happens after Christmas. A semi-vegan, a full plant-based diet? Or just a spiritual and physical challenge? We’ll see…

Best of luck and health!

P.S. B is also joining me.

Jay always makes me proud!!! Good luck!!! B shared a photo of their first meals, on Instagram. Check it out below.

Mrs. Carter is helping her husband celebrate his big day, today. He turns 44 today, and they're celebrating in LA (both are on a quick tour breaks).

Today Bey posted more photos of her hubby and adorable baby girl. The perfect way, for us all to celebrate Jay's B'Day...;)

The photos are from the Carters Costa Rican vacay, and there's also one of Miss. Blue Carter (with her dad in LA), roc'n her own MCSWT jacket. Simply adorable...

Check out more photos below. Once again, Happy Birthday Jay!!!

Happy birthday Jay!! Relax, Enjoy & Celebrate!!!

Mr. Carter is enjoying his birthday with his two favorite people Bey & Blue. Jay & Bey were photographed exiting lunch in LA, yesterday. Both have a break in their tours, until December 6 --perfect for a birthday celebration.

Celebrate Jay's day with a little of his classic throwbacks.

Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Monday, December 30, 2013

Friday, December 27, 2013

Thursday, December 26, 2013

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Monday, December 16, 2013

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Wednesday, December 4, 2013