SHOUTcast Blog

KPOP stars MBLAQ released the video today for their newest track 'Y.' The group's producer/trainer/creator and Korea's favorite son Rain quipped that "The meaning of the song and MV [music video] will be left up to the viewer's imagination."

With lyrics like "I'm going to slowly clench my fist now to start my revenge / What will you be able to do if you leave me? / I'll give you pain, as much as the scars you left me," the group is doing their part to keep those with even the most limited abilities to imagine in the loop.

In other news, MBLAQ member G.O., perhaps the only KPOP star in the universe with facial hair shaved it off.

Check out the official video for 'Y' after the jump.

The week surrounding the release of her self-titled debut international album saw Charice turning 18, appearing on Oprah, smashing through the Billboard dance charts, and keeping her own expectations about U.S. success guarded in an interview with the New York Daily News.

In the past week, Charice's single 'Pyramid' took the top slot in the Billboard Dance/Club Play chart, beating out reigning 'Rude Boy' by Rihanna. The Filipina's single hit number one after sitting at number four last week.

In a an interview with the Daily News, Charice demurred about the possibilities of U.S. mainstream success. "If your album does become a big seller in the U.S., you'll become the first Asian ever to become a major pop singer here. There hasn't even been one who was born here, let alone from another country."

"It's really hard to go international, so that's why I'm not expecting it right now. I love the record, but I don't know if it will go far."

Check out footage from Charice's fourth appearance on Oprah, performing her chart-topping single 'Pyramid' with Iyaz, after the jump.

KPOP boy band 2PM has faced a hailstorm of blog posts after being caught lip-syncing on the national Korean television program 'Music Bank.'

While performing their song 'Without U,' principal 2PM member Wooyoung was visibly faking his lines, to the chagrin of, well, not that many. Tweets and message board comments have largely been supportive of the singer, who is currently suffering from debilitating vocal cord nodule problems.

"get well soon mando cheeks!! i love his dimples btw.."--12:28pm
"forget that, he is looking HOT in this pic! LOL. glad his hair is back like this" --11:48am
"aweeeee lipsync" --11:42AM
"Poor Wooyoung. Hope he is given more rest and Junsu too. TC boys! 2PM hwaiting!"--11:32AM

A JYPE representative stated that "since making a comeback with 2PM, Wooyoung's condition hasn't been at its best. Doctors have recommended that Wooyoung should not strain his vocals during this period and thus we decided to use the AR version for his part during the performance as a precaution."

Speculation is rampant that Youssou N'Dour will run for President of Senegal after a falling out between him and his once close political friend and ally, current President Abdoulaye Wade, who is said to be grooming his own successor to the office.

While N'Dour has denied the rumors, his comments in the matter have only helped to stir further speculation. The 50-year old global singing star stated publicly that "the people will decide" and that "from now on I will no longer be neutral."

N'Dour is no normal national music hero. He is also a Senegalese business mogul, who, because he has never left his home country, has set up a sizable media empire that includes a newspaper, which has been critical of Abdoulaye Wade's conduct in the past few years of his presidency. N'Dour has already proven his political weight after collecting one million signatures to launch a TV station that the current Senagelese administration has been "dragging its feet" on permitting.

N'Dour publicly expressed his doubts about the president, who once called him a son. "I get the feeling the president hears only in mono these days, not in stereo," he said. "He used to be accessible. He has removed those who told him the truth."

Promoters for Vodafone recently announced an impressive lineup for the event to be hosted at Accra International Conference Center on Saturday, May 22. The lineup includes Kora Awards Best Artist winners P-Square, Ghana's Artiste of the Year, Sarkodie, as well as pereniel favorites in Nigeria's D'Banj and Ghana's Eazzy and Ruff-N-Smooth.

A rep for Vodafone stated, "This is a clear demonstration of Vodafone's quest in connecting its international standing to our local operations in Africa, our belief in African musical talents and how they match up with music talents anywhere in the world."

Cape Verdean singer Cesária Évora has been hospitalized due to cardiac problems. On Monday, May 10, she was admitted into a Paris hospital, and immediately ushered into surgery. The event follows a stroke the 68-year old survived in April, 2008.

Her last performance was this past Saturday in Lisbon, after which she fell ill. Evora was in the midst of promoting her newest album, 'Nha Sentimento,' and recently won a lifetime achievement award at the 2010 Kora Awards.

The tour dates she's been forced to cancel can be seen after the jump.

Today's a big day for the Filipina international pop starlet Charice, as she turns 18 years old. Things only get better tomorrow, as she is set to appear on Oprah, and officially release her self-titled first global op album.

A video promo for the upcoming Oprah slot has circulated, including Oprah describing Justin Bieber as the Elvis, Paul McCartney, and Stevie Wonder of the latest teen generation, before placing Charice's trajectory as a rise that's "all lead to this," tomorrow's appearance on Oprah. You can watch the trailer after the jump.