Click here to cast your vote. The winners will be unveiled at London’s O2 Academy Brixton on February 29, 2012.

BEST VIDEO:

• Lana Del Rey Video Games
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Billboard.com describes the list as “a ranking of where power and influence resides in the music business and the industries that intersect with it.”

The power couple of Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter and Beyonce Knowles is ranked collectively at No. 13 on the list. As artists, both have enjoyed remarkable successes: He holds the record for the most No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200, topping that chart with 12 albums and selling 28 million units in the U.S. along the way, according to Nielsen SoundScan, while she has racked up sales of more than 29 million units from sales of her solo albums and as part of Destiny’s Child. — Billboard

In total, 11 artists made the list, with Jay-Z and Beyonce ranked highest at number 13 collectively. The basis for the decision is not only their incredible albums sales and Billboard chart hits, but also the numerous business ventures that they have undertaken over the years.

Jay-Z has produced his own clothing line, wrote his own book, created his own label, RocNation, served as CEO of Def Jam Records, and has ownership in numerous 40/40 clubs and the New Jersey Nets.

Beyonce, on the other hand, has a sponsorship deal with L’Oreal, as well as her own fragrance and a clothing line, House of Dereon.

Reuters reports that rock band U2, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga and Jon Bon Jovi all made the list.

Billboard reports that Irving Azoff, the chairman of Live Nation, which is ”the world’s largest promoter, ticketing company and artist management group,” came in at number one on the list.

Coran Capshaw, who is the manager of many popular acts such as The Dave Matthews Band and also is the founder of Red Light Management, came in at number two.

Rankings were determined by a combination of key factors including market share, exclusive Billboard chart data/boxscore information, and revenue.  A team of 15 top Billboard editors then analyzed the value of these metrics to produce the final results. The list is U.S. based. As well, the Power 100 puts a premium on the top decision makers at each company. So, for example, the strong position of Interscope’s Jimmy Iovine’s is an argument against a high position for the number-two at that company, Steve Berman, who still makes the list.

The list boasts six artists, each of whom cracked the business ranking for specific reasons. “We couldn’t weigh the power of an artist’s fanbase against the power an executive has, or this would have simply been an artist list,” says Bill Werde, Billboard’s editorial director. “Our Moneymakers list is our artist list. But certain artists were able to break through to the Power 100 based purely on their business success or innovations.”

Artists on the Power 100 include Jay-Z and Beyonce as a power couple, Taylor Swift, U2, Jon Bon Jovi and Lady Gaga.

The rapidly changing music business is represented by the diversity of the remaining slots on the Power 100. There are 10 executives in television or movies (who either book artists or curate music for their productions); nine radio-industry executives and seven music-publishing executives (eight, including David Israelite of the National Music Publishers Association).

The list also includes executives from six digital service providers, from webcasters like Pandora to digital download stores like iTunes; five companies that use music for branding purposes and provide tour and artist sponsorship opportunities like Coca Cola, Chevrolet and AMEX; and five trade groups, like the RIAA and A2IM. There are also four lawyers, and two venture capitalists who invest in music-related companies.

BILLBOARD’S 2012 POWER 100 INDEX:

1. Irving Azoff
2. Coran Capshaw
3. Lucian Grainge
4. Martin Bandier
5. Doug Morris
6. Michael Rapino
7.  Rob Light
8. Len Blavatnik
9. Tim Leiweke
10. Jimmy Iovine
11. Eddy Cue and Robert Kondrk
12. John Hogan
13. Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter & Beyonce Knowles
14. Lyor Cohen
15. Randy Phillips
16. Emmanuel Seuge
17. Frank Cooper
18. Barry Weiss
19. Rob Stringer and Steve Barnett
20.  Arthur Fogel
21. Marc Geiger
22.  Dan Mason
23. Bob Pittman
24.  Roger Faxon
25.  Ronald “Slim” Williams and Bryan “Birdman” Williams
26. Rio Caraeff
27. U2 and Paul McGuinness
28. Julie Greenwald and Craig Kallman
29. Daniel Ek
30.  Lukasz “Dr. Luke” Gottwald
31. Lewis W. Dickey, Jr
32. Peter Grosslight
33. Charles Attal, Charlie Jones and Charlie Walker
34. Robert Greenblatt
35. Van Toffler
36. Monte Lipman
37. Antonio “L.A.” Reid
38. Joel Katz
39. Mark Campana and Bob Roux
40. Tim Westergren
41. Peter Edge and Tom Corson
42. Tom Poleman
43. Chip Hooper
44. Hartwig Masuch
45. Rob Cavallo and Todd Moscowitz
46. Cliff Burnstein and Peter Mensch
47. Nathan Hubbard
48. Jay Brown
49. Evan Lamberg
50. Jon Bon Jovi
51. Lia Vollack
52. Jan Jeffries
53. Steve Bartels
54. Scott Borchetta
55. Blaise D’Sylva
56. Neil Portnow
57. Dennis Arfa
58. Cameron Strang
59. Cortez Bryant/Gee Roberson
60. Sean Parker
61. Steve Moore
62. Paul Rosenberg
63. Tifanie Van Laar
64. Ryan Seacrest
65. Robert Kyncl
66. Lorne Michaels
67. John Butcher
68. Clint Higham
69. Randy Spendlove
70. Rich Lehrfeld
71. Peter Luukko
72. John Branca
73. Melissa Lonner
74. Raul Alarcon, Jr.
75. John Frankenheimer
76. Cary Sherman
77. Larry Marcus
78. Taylor Swift
79. Kevin Mayer
80. PJ Bloom
81.  James L. Dolan
82. Jesus Lopez
83. Martin Karl “Max Martin” Sandberg
84. Lady Gaga
85. Mike Dungan
86. Fred Wilson
87. Jon Platt
88. Willard Ahdritz
89. John Ivey and Alex Tear
90. Jody Gerson
91. Chris Tsakalakis
92. Nigel Lythgoe
93. Richard Busch
94. Debra Lee
95. David Israelite
96. Steve Berman
97. Rich Bengloff
98. Gary Overton
99. Daniel Glass
100. Simon Cowell

In an interview with E! Monday night (Jan. 24) at the Hpnotiq Harmonie and Live Louder 2012 Kickoff cocktail party at the W hotel in Hollywood, the former Destiny’s Child songstress revealed that she has witnessed the beauty of baby Blue.

“She’s more precious than a diamond,” Rowland disclosed. “She’s just so stunning. I’m so happy for my sister and her husband. [Blue Ivy] is beautiful.”

The 30-year-old singer, who released her third solo album, ‘Here I Am,’ last summer, explained that she is filling the role of a “good aunt,” by seeing her niece whenever possible. When asked how Beyonce was doing after giving birth to Blue Ivy on Jan. 7, Rowland was careful not to give too many details. “She’s an incredible mother,” the raven-haired entertainer admitted. “I’m so incredibly proud of her. She’s in Mommyville… and her husband is in Daddyville.”

Before Blue was born, the ‘Motivation’ performer slipped and revealed the gender of Bey and Hov’s offspring — the public hadn’t known whether they were expecting a boy or girl.

New mama Beyoncé — nominated for Best Music Video (“I Was Here”), Outstanding Song (“Best Thing I Never Had”) and Outstanding Album (4) — is also up for Outstanding Female Artist with her “Dreamgirls” co-star Jennifer Hudson, Jill Scott, Ledisi and Mary J. Blige.

The show aims to “celebrate the accomplishments of people of color in the fields of television, music, literature and film, and also honors individuals or groups who promote social justice through creative endeavors.” A full list of nominees can be found on the NAACP Image Awards website. The winners will be announced live February 17 on NBC.

Chris Brown, Common, Cee Lo Green, Bruno Mars and Anthony Hamilton will compete for Outstanding Male Artist. Diggy Simmons and Mindless Behavior are two of the newcomers in the Outstanding New Artist category, alongside Landau Eugene Murphy Jr., Wynter Gordon and Committed.

“The Help” is up for Outstanding Motion Picture against “Tower Heist,” “Jumping the Broom,” “Pariah” and “The First Grader.” Eddie Murphy (“Tower Heist”), Laurence Fishburne (“Contagion”), Laz Alonso (“Jumping the Broom”), Oliver Litondo (“The First Grader”) and Vin Diesel (“Fast Five”) will face off for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture.

Meanwhile, in the Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture category, Emma Stone (“The Help”) is alongside her co-star and Critics’ Choice Movie Awards winner Viola Davis as well as Adepero Oduye (“Pariah”), Paula Patton (“Jumping the Broom”) and Zoe Saldana (“Colombiana”).

Golden Globe winner and GLAAD Awards nominee “Modern Family” will compete for Outstanding Comedy Series with “Reed Between the Lines,” “The Game,” “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne,” and “Love That Girl!” On the other end of the spectrum, Outstanding Drama Series, nominees include “Boardwalk Empire,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” “The Good Wife” and “Treme.”

Who will you be rooting for? Share your picks below!

“This is a huge loss. Etta James was one of the greatest vocalists of our time,” Beyonce said. “I am so fortunate to have met such a queen. Her musical contributions will last a lifetime. Playing Etta James taught me so much about myself, and singing her music inspired me to be a stronger artist. When she effortlessly opened her mouth, you could hear her pain and triumph. Her deeply emotional way of delivering a song told her story with no filter. She was fearless, and had guts. She will be missed.”

Etta passed away on Friday (January 20) due to complications from Leukemia. She will never be forgotten!

Beyonce promotes in a brand new ad new edition of Pulse fragrance – the Summer Edition.

Life is a flirt. Love is a game. The sky is your limit. Beyoncé Pulse Summer Edition gives you a burst of the inexplicable energy you feel during the Summer. It will leave you feeling great, ready to conquer anything, as if nothing and no one could ever resist you.

Click on the picture to view full preview.

This re-opening of the 40/40 Club is open to the public, and plenty of celebrities are expected to attend. Get more info about the 40/40 Club here.
UPDATE: Only Jay-Z arrived for the club re-opening.

The Manhattan clubs new $10 million renovation includes four gargantuan, state-of-the-art 165-inch video screens and golden bats lining the walls of banquettes.

“I wanted to retain the feel of a clubhouse, a relaxed place to interact with friends,” Jay-Z told The News.

Hova’s new hideaway is open to the public, but VIPs can pay for $1,000 memberships with preferred access to private rooms.

In a Daily News exclusive, Jay-Z scoffed at a recent report he wrote a poem to his newborn daughter vowing to drop the word “b—-” from his vocabulary.

“That poem and story are fake,” Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, revealed.

Meanwhile, local clothing designer Joseph Mbeh is trying to make a pile of green off baby Blue.

Mbeh, 35, has filed a trademark application for the name “Blue Ivy Carter NYC” for a line of childrens clothes, a U.S. Patent and Trademark application shows.

“We have a line of clothing which is an elite brand,” Mbeh told The News when pressed about the application outside his Manhattan office Tuesday.

He skirted questions about his apparent lack of connection to Jay-Z’s family, rushing back inside his office with a stern, No comment.

Mbeh’s $325 application, first reported by TheSmokingGun.com, has yet to be approved.

“I would not make money off a baby like that. Its going a bit overboard,” Cassie Paylor, 75, one of Mbeh’s Jersey City neighbors, told The News. “Its up to the little girl to use her name when she grows up.”

The publication claimed to have an exclusive first interview with Queen B following the birth of daughter Blue Ivy Carter, where the 1 + 1 singer apparently divulged details of her arrival, as well as praising hubby Jay-Z‘s parenting skills.

When asked about the legitimacy of the article, the Single Ladies hitmaker’s spokesperson simply added: “Absolutely not.” Despite Beyoncé’s rep slamming the story, the editor of Star magazine has since claimed: “It is not made up or fictitious at all. Yeaah, In your dreams Star.

“We bought the interview from a reporter in the U.S. who conducted the interview with Beyoncé before the birth. The reporter then obtained the ‘top-up’ info after the birth, which we believe to have been signed off by a girl on her LSM team.”

Bey is quoted as saying: “Nothing can describe the feeling. You have the instant connection once you know your child is growing inside you, but when you hold it for the first time, the words can’t be found.”

Speaking of Jigga, she also apparently stated: “He is a very protective husband, and since we found out I was pregnant I have seen the protective father in him.

“He is not only an inspirational artist, he is an inspirational husband. I know the next step on his journey is going to be being an inspirational father.”

However, a rep for the former Destiny’s Child star has revealed that Bey hasn’t given any interviews since Blue Ivy was born, telling Access Hollywood that Star’s story is “completely made up”.

During a recent interview, 81 year old Clint Eastwood lifted on Beyonce’s musical contributions to the movie “Star Is Born”, which tells the tale  of promising starlet and the fall of the fading talent who discovers and helps her reach her goal. Initially set for shooting last year, production on the Clint Eastwood directed clip was delayed to accomodate the singer’s pregnancy. However, all systems are now go and filming is set to commence this Summer.

Les Inrocks magazine (French): Did you discuss music with Beyonce, that we will see in your next film, a remake of A Star is Born?

She asked if she could write stuff for the movie, I said yes, great. But I also told her I would make one or two things very classical. Still classicism. But I don’t want Beyoncé to be too classic! She has a superb voice. She could become a new Sarah Vaughan or the next Ella Fitzgerald. She has the same class. I dont know if she knows their music, but I intend to do a good education for the movie!

Bey’s past acting gigs may leave many feeling Eastwood’s age is finally catching up with him. However, it’d be unfair to look over the brilliance that was her interpretation of Etta James in the critically acclaimed ‘Cadillac Records’. An interpretation which doesn’t make his comments as far-fetched as they may seem.

Ella presented a compelling package, in that she was both musically gifted and a natural actress. And though the latter can’t be said for Ms. Knowles, she’s clearly been putting in overtime to ensure she comes close. A hustle which looks to be paying off.

As for the music, the prospect of a Jazz-ed up Beyonce excites us immensely. I mean, her voice is that good, she could sing a cuss word and make it sound hot. However, the quality, texture, and tone of her vocal really stand to shine in an arena such as the Jazz-y one Eastwood talks of.

‘A Star Is Born’ is slated for a 2013 release.

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