This year has been eventful to say the least – full of riots, weddings, more riots, protests, wars, celebrities calling themselves warlocks, hacking and more. It’s also flown by super fast, I can still remember January like it was yesterday. How on earth is it almost 2012? Isn’t the world meant to end soon? Flickr has complied the highlights of the year using iconic LEGO bricks. Hop on after the cut to refresh your mind with all the happenings around the world in twenty eleven. Starting with the Royal Wedding above.

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The Guardian on Flickr says: September 2011 – protesters camped out in Zuccotti Park as part of the Occupy Wall Street movement, sparking copycat demonstrations across the globe

The Guardian on Flickr says: July 2011 – Rupert Murdoch’s wife Wendi Deng blocked him from getting cream-pied during a hearing of a government select committee hearing on phone hacking

The Guardian on Flickr says: March 2011 – troubled star Charlie Sheen was fired from American sitcom Two and a Half Men after he rejected requests by its broadcast network to enter rehabilitation

The Guardian on Flickr says: November 2011 – 11/11/11 remembered

The Guardian on Flickr says: May 2011 – US president Barack Obama and his national security team were picture in a now famous photo watching the mission to kill Osama bin Laden unfold in real time

The Guardian on Flickr says: June 2011 – Barack Obama, appears with Angela Merkel, played down the prospect of a double-dip recession

The Guardian on Flickr says: November 2011 – the image of the pepper spraying cop at a protest in California sparked a series of online memes, as Xeni Jardin explains

The Guardian on Flickr says: October 2011 – tributes were paid across the web to Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple, who died aged 56

The Guardian on Flickr says: October 2011 – fighting continues in Libya between anti-Gaddafi forces and loyalists as the rebels mount a massive attack on Gaddafi’s forces in Sirte

The Guardian on Flickr says: August 2011 – rioters clash with police in London, Birmingham and Manchester, as local businesses and buildings are looted and damaged

The Guardian on Flickr says: October 2011 – Hosts New Zealand beat France in the final of the Rugby World Cup

Now this is a nice incentive but I’ve got a feeling that people in my borough will just call up and offer false information on any type of incident they see just for the £££. You know how people are these days. Newham Council are giving people an incentive to ‘snitch‘ – that’s what the hood folk call it, I’m more than happy to give information on any serious crime I come across. Give up the hood mentality! The Mayor’s reward scheme is run jointly with Crimestoppers, which offers rewards of up to £1,000. SAY WHAT. Yes, that’s right – £1000. I’m off to buy my bullet proof vigilante outfit, me and Yang will be cruising the streets of East Ham in search of crime with our handy SLRs. Doing it for the good of our borough, not the money of course. Read more information on it here.

Social media saves the day once again. A brown brother of mine, Nitesh Bhakta spotted hooded burglars breaking into his living room and instead running in there like Batman to save the day. Probably end up getting myself seriously hurt, unlike me, Nitesh used his brain and ran up to the attic with his macbook. The intruders had already tied up his grandmother and sister whilst ransacking the household, wi-fi was still connected so he updated his Facebook status with: ‘HELLLLLP!’ and the rest is history. Watch the rest after the cut.

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This week saw the news that here in England the government are planning to announce a new initiative whereby after a certain period of time those on the sex offenders register can apply to be taken off the list. This has caused a huge reaction across the country and i think it’s only right that i add me 2 bobs worth. My thoughts on the matter are revealed on the flipside.

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Ok so first of all I would like to stress how bemused I am that the government would even allow such an idea get past the stage of just being a thought process however having thought long and hard I have come to the conclusion that aspects of the newly proposed idea are workable.

Some of you may instantly think that by me saying that parts of this idea are workable I must be completely mad but I would like to explain my reasoning behind such a comment. I don’t know whether or not it is common knowledge but some people who are placed on the sex offenders register are actually placed on the list unfairly.

Example – if a girl has consented sex with an older guy at the age of 15 or under but looks and has claimed to be older than she actually is, the guy can still be convicted and placed on the sex offenders list. This I feel is unfair. Especially in this day and age where teenagers increasingly want to appear and behave much older than they are. Should an occurrence happen of this nature than I feel it is justified to want to be removed from the sex offenders register.

For any other person on that list I don’t see how proving after a period of 15 years that you are no longer a threat warrants the right to be taken off the list. How ever reformed a character you may be the fact remains that you committed a crime which resulted in the placing of name on that list. Let me try to make this a little more understandable for those who may not see where I am coming from with this. If I murder someone, after a period of time can I then request for people to stop calling me a murder, NO!

I don’t want to ramble on about this even though I could so I’ll end here. Sometimes people think up ideas that they think are ingenious but in reality they are just a terrible suggestions. Some think that they are helping others but don’t really take into consideration the effect it has on those not directly linked to the person(s) they are helping. And some are just ignorant and fail to admit when they are wrong. All of the above I think the government can be accused of, If this is what they think is a good idea I’m dreading what they consider a bad idea.

God is good. This story just showcases how powerful social media really is now, Ted Williams, a former radio announcer who lost his way thanks to drugs and alcohol has had his life turn around in the space of 2 days. Due to his previous addiction, he had fallen under hard times and found himself homeless but that’s where a Columbus Dispatch reporter bumped into him on the motorway. This man has a crooner voice, the perfect radio voice so the reporter recorded a video of Ted and uploaded it to Youtube. The rest was history. More on the flipside.

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It’s only been 3 days since the video was uploaded and it’s already a viral hit with over 7 million views. He’s been invited to the studios of WNCI and already been contacted by ESPN & MTV who have offered $10,000 for voice over at the radio station. During his radio interview, a rep for NBA team Cleveland Cavaliers called in and offered him a full-time job as well as a mortgage on a home. Pretty sure that’s not the last of offers. It’s a touching story.

Ted’s Original Video

Ted’s First TV Interview

The reporter kept changing the original video’s description with updates of Ted’s life over the past few days:

UPDATE-1: Many thanks go out to all of you who have been tossing phone numbers and e-mails my way for Ted’s sake. I went up to Hudson/I-71 (Columbus) today, but Ted wasn’t there. He is going to be on air tomorrow morning on radio station WNCI. I’ve left my contact info w/WNCI to call/e-mail me on a way to get your enormous opportunities over to him.

I’m going to give him a Trac phone (w/ample minutes) so that he can return calls to all of you.

Hopefully, in some way I’ll get in contact w/him. Peace.

UPDATE-2: To all of those who have been writing in I have learned that the radio station interviewing him tomorrow (1-5-11) a.m. is going to make him a formal offer. Whether true or not, we’ll see.

Hope it works out well for him. That was the whole point of me posting this video. I cannot thank enough everyone who was willing to do their part in offering Ted their helping hand.

Whoever lands him is certainly getting much more than a memorable personality; they’re getting a great human being as part of their team.

My best to all.

UPDATE-FINAL: Well everyone. You can give yourselves and Ted a high-five. He’s being given offers hand-over-fist over the air. He’ll be set for life.

My request to all. Whenever you run across a story such as this, don’t assume it’ll take a life of its own, on its own. It won’t. It can’t. There are too many other stories that drown out the one before it.

You need to spend time to get that story and its word out to many. If you care, you’ll do it.

Keep the faith, pay forward and always lend a hand; even if you’re the one who needs it.

God bless Mr. Williams. I’m sure we’ll be seeing more of him for sometime to come.

God bless the reporter for having the compassion and integrity to look out for another human being.

I wouldn’t normally write about things like this because I usually find them boring but this is both disturbing and interesting because I am actually curious as to what makes people think like this. I remember watching a family on the Tyra Show talk about how much they hated everyone who wasn’t white and that was just strange… but anyways to sum this up: a really ignorant man has been selling bars of soap with racist quotes such as “Darkie” and “no coloured kids” and when questioned by the media the man failed to justify selling the soaps by exclaiming “people buy them”.  Actually makes me sick, cannot believe people as ignorant as such exist! It’s shocking to see things like this because people had to experience this to a much higher degree… we got it good. Watch the video here via worldstarhiphop.com

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Rumours have been running rife as of late concerning the management of the delectable Beyonce Knowles. According to earlier reports Mathew Knowles (dad of Beyonce) has been relieved of his duties as her manager and just last week it was reported that husband Jay-Z was to take charge of his wife’s career.

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Rumours actually came to fruition when the revelations of Mathews sordid affair came to light confirming that he did indeed impregnated another woman whilst still with Tina Knowles. It was suggested that Beyonce was very upset and embarrassed by her fathers actions that she no loner wanted to speak to him. Considering the very close relationship, both personal and professional, Beyonce has with her mother such reports were not hard to believe.

However this past week has seen an official press release from Music World Entertainment thrown into public domain addressing Knowles’ management situation. It has been confirmed, in the statement presented, on behalf of the label by Mark Young, that the singer is in fact still represented by her father and not by husband Jay-Z. Read the statement below:

“Contrary to false rumors online, Beyoncé and her manager Mathew Knowles unequivocally have had and continue to have a close personal and business relationship. Mathew Knowles is the sole and exclusive manager of Beyoncé.”

Merry Christmas II You

Two weeks ago I informed you all that Mariah Carey is planning to release a follow up to her hugely successful 1994 Christmas album Merry Christmas. Details surrounding the upcoming project have been sought after, Rap-Up were able to gather more information on the new record. Check out what news Rap-Up had to share regarding the album:

Rap-Up.com has exclusively learned that Mimi’s upcoming holiday project will be called Merry Christmas II You. The II represents the follow-up to 1994’s multi-platinum Merry Christmas album, which spawned the now-classic “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” The new offering is scheduled for a November 2 release and will include original material as well as covers of holiday classics.

An accompanying DVD will also be released the same day, but there are currently no details on what exactly it will contain. The packaging was shot in the spring by famed photographer David LaChapelle and features a festive setting with fake snow, tinsel, and wooden reindeers.

Mariah’s manager Chris Lighty tweeted that she is working with the Home Shopping Network (HSN) to promote the project, which is guaranteed to be the perfect stocking stuffer.

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Let’s all just hope and pray that the album turns out to be a Mariah classic and if it is then let us hope that sales will match its greatness. We all know that Mariah can sang the hec out of a song but recent releases just haven’t performed as well as expected although I must say I was very saddened that Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel didn’t do well as I felt it was a song RnB album.

A New Lauryn Hill Album Anyone?

I am led to believe that all is right with the world because musical genius Lauryn Hill has hinted at the release of a new album in the near future. Since this would be her first album in over 10 years miss Hill has stated that she doesn’t intend to collaborate with the popular music acts currently in the game as she would like the record to be all about her vision and sound.

Whatever she wants to do with the album is fine by me at this moment in time as I’m just ecstatic that we are going to be hearing new material. Peep what miss Hill had to say in this short video.

Oh Dear T.I

Trouble, controversy and strife seem to follow T.I where ever he goes. Fresh from his year long prison sentence the rapper has gone a got him self into another spot of bother. This week he and his wife Tiny were arrested for possession of controlled substances. Though formal charges haven’t yet been pressed and the couple have been released on bail this latest run in with the law could see TIP having to deal with the prospect of facing an extended period of time in jail.

His lawyer Steven Knowles has spoken on the matter:

Lawyer Steven Knowles suspects that, if convicted, T.I. could face a multiple-year jail sentence. “This is big-time,” Knowles told Yahoo! Music. “I really don’t envy his defense lawyer.”

Prior to serving three months in the halfway house, T.I. spent seven months in a federal prison in Arkansas for illegal firearms possession and possessing a gun as a convicted felon.

According to the Associated Press, as a condition of his three-year-parole, he was forbidden from committing another federal, state or local crime, or illegally possessing a controlled substance. Drug tests and participation in a drug and alcohol treatment program were also required.

The new allegations will not be taken lightly, said Knowles, a family attorney who has represented Britney Spears and Nicole Kidman, among others. “[T.I.'s] celebrity is not likely going to get him off of this,” he said. “This is now a repeated offense. That’s when even the celebrity get-out-of-jail card is not going to work.”

Knowles believes T.I.’s celebrity will probably ensure a more stringent ruling. “In fact, for them to take it light on him now would look like over-favoritism because he’s a celebrity, and I think, if anything, his celebrity may actually backfire.”

Knowles believes that Cottle, co-star of BET’s Tina & Toya and a member of the ‘90s R&B group Xscape, could avoid jail time because of their children. “That is a big factor when it comes to sentencing,” he said. “I can tell you from my experience as a family lawyer that celebrity or not, courts loathe to jail moms, particularly if there’s not going to be a dad at home to care for the kids as well. This would mean kids would have no parents.”

One important factor in determining a potential sentence will be the quantity of drugs in possession. “If [the] quantity is large enough to be selling or even sharing with third parties, that could make a big difference,” Knowles said

Source

I really do hope that he doesn’t get into serious trouble for this latest misdemeanour and he can get his act together but I guess there are only so many second chances a man can be given. Saying that I don’t know the full details so I will keep my opinion on the matter hidden for now. People pray for T.I I’m sure he could use it right now.

Cheryl Cole’s New Single

Cheryl Cole is set to release her first official single titled ‘Promise This’ taken from her sophomore album. The single celebrates her triumph over the Maleria disease which she contacted earlier this year whilst on holiday in Tanzania with Derek Hough.

The Track is said to relate to the time that she spent in intensive care. Her first live performance of the song and probably first live performance since contracting the disease will come in the second week of the X-factor live shows.

An insiders comment:

“It was actually written months ago and although it’s not directly talking about her illness there is a strange lyrical twist that ironically relates to her recent near-death experience. It is similar to the way ‘Fight For This Love ’related to her marriage drama.”

New Track Alert

Today I will leave you with another new track. I’m sure it will make an appearance in an Eargasms post in the near future but I thought I’d share it with you first.

This track comes from Mr steal your girl himself Trey Songz featuring Drake. I will confess that upon first listen I am not completely feeling the song. I feel that it hasn’t match up to let alone surpass the heights of the pairs last collaborate Successful. The material that has leaked from Trey’s upcoming album I haven’t been impressed with and I feel it is a little rushed. When I heard that he was to drop a new album in September my immediate response was why? After the leaked material I still find my self asking the same question. Let’s just hope that the album will at least be as good as Ready.

Please enjoy the track The Usual. I hope I haven’t hindered your perception of the song, if theres any consolation I kinda don’t mind the chorus lol.

With the announcement of Lil Wayne’s I Am Not A Human Being EP being released on September 27^th (Weezy’s 28th B’day) the Young Money camp were quick to announce that Tha Cater IV will be released on the date Lil Tunechi is due to be released from Rikers island.

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“Tha Carter IV plans we had and still have are to put Tha Carter IV out the day he comes out [of prison],” Mack told MTV News. “He had so many songs for Tha Carter IV, we said let’s just put these 10 songs out [on I Am Not a Human Being] and double-back for Tha Carter IV. He has more songs for Tha Carter IV that are still strong.”

Though we are all in anticipation for Tha Cater IV I do feel that we have been overloaded some what with a host of Lil Wayne material. He has been in Jail for about 5 months now but it seems as if he hasn’t gone anywhere.

Personally I’d like to see the record drop early next year with a big promotional campaign because releasing the album the day of his release with no single to come out before its release just doesn’t seem to cut it for me. Plus Nicki Minaj is set to release her debut album in November so maybe it would be a good idea for the YMCM crew to let her have that month to herself. What do y’all think?

Rihanna Sets Release Date For New LP

Last week I told you that Rihanna, Yin’s future ex wife/babymama, has a new single on the way. I can now confirm that the single is titled ‘Only Girl’ and it is set to hit UK radio stations August 31^st. With the news of a new single buzz surrounding the release of her next studio album has started to generate.

November 2^nd is the tentative release date for the as yet untitled album. 9months have barely past since the release of her darker toned ‘Rated R’ so it is a little surprising to learn that a whole new release is due so soon. If they were to be releasing a Rated R deluxe edition I wouldn’t be surprise at all but I guess either the sales of Rated R were not as hoped or the new music just didn’t fit the tone of RR to warrant it being linked with the project.

It has been stated that this new LP will see the return of a more up-tempo, dance, brighter feel similar to, probably the only major hit from the last album, ‘Rude Boy’.

In any event I’m sure Rihanna stans will be bowled over by the news of a new album and will  no doubt be queuing up to purchase when it drops. I will be waiting and reserve judgement until I have her Only Girl and the follow up single which will be release nearer the release of the album. I think Rihanna is definitely one of those artists that can release catch singles but I’m not sure yet if she can deliver a stellar album, a complete body of work. I guess we will have to wait and see.

Kelly Rowland Names New Album

After having trouble naming her 3^rd studio album due to be release in the fall, my girl Kelly Rowland enlisted the help of her fans to help give the LP a title. After much deliberation and a previously selected titled of Kelly Rowland shot down in flames, the new title of the album is…..

One Woman Show

This name could change by the time the album is released but for now we are lead to believe that this is the title. What do y’all think? What would you like to see her call the record?

Chris Brown Readies New Single

Following the success of ‘Deuces’ from the Fan Of A Fan mixtape, Chris Brown is set to unleash another hit. Today will see the premier of the video for the next single from the mixtape ‘Ain’t Thinkin’ Bout You’ featuring Bow Wow

I am glad that this track is getting single treatment as I do feel it is one of the better tracks from the mixtape however I will be pissed should ‘No Bullshit’ and ‘Like A Virgin Again’ not be given the same treatment as I feel that those two songs are sure fire winners.

Its seems as though Mr brown has got his mojo back and is ready to take this music game by the neck. He is back and he is letting us all know.

“I’ve came to the conclusion that ima put out so much good music that you’ll hate to love me”

Diddy Dirty Money New Song

I thought I’d end today’s Music News Weekly with a new track. Diddy has been forever tryna release his new album ‘Last Train To Paris’ but has never stuck to the multiple release dates set. With all the delays it’s a wonder if the album will ever see the light of day, whilst he has been playing around with dates tracks have been leaking and ‘Love You No More’ is one of those leaked tracks.

This song features man of the moment drizzy Drake. We also get to hear the beautiful tones of miss Dawn Richard be a prominent feature rather than just a background. Something I have been longing to hear for a while. Take a listen to the smooth track below. (This is one of those tracks that is well suited to being played at a lower volume whilst typing Y&Y’s weekly news update. I am bopin’ my head as I type.)

New Rihanna Single On The way?

Robyn Rihanna Fenty formally known simply as Rihanna has become, in the space of five years, a worldwide chart topping success and with four albums under her belt it seems that she has no intention of slowing down. Having only released her fourth studio album Rated R nine months ago she has returned to the studio to finish up her forthcoming as yet untitled album. Sources close to the singer have hinted that a new single from this album is to drop sooner than we may expect. More after the cut.

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The sources took to twitter to drop some quite unsubtle hints surrounding this new single.

Her record label tweeted

Get ready to dance@rihanna peeps…

And one of her most reliable fansite’s also took the time to tweet

Rihanna’s new single is coming “very soon”

I don’t know about you but I do think that this is mighty quick considering her latest singles Te Amo (international) and Rockstar 101 (US release) were both only released in June. sales of the album rated r were not as high as expected so moving swift on from that album could be a good idea however I don’t think her label have given fans enough time to miss the Rude Boy singer.

She has tour dates for her latest tour running all the way into the next year so if she was to release a new album anytime soon I fear a major burnout is looming. She would literally be finishing one tour only to start a new one straight away. I believe I’ve said this before but I’m going to say it again, sometimes too much exposure can be an artists’ downfall.

Mariah Carey To Release Christmas Album In November.

Mariah Carey has one of the most successful Christmas albums of all time under her belt but she still feels the need to release another. Having sold over 12 million copies of her 1994 release it is rather difficult to imagine those figures can be matched especially considering the below par sales performances of her last two albums.

In any case as a Mariah Carey admirer I am intrigued to see what she will come up with this time around. Hopefully she can bring that old Mariah magic she had back in the day now that she is once again working with Randy Jackson and Jermaine Dupri. We can expect the album to be release November 1^st.

Travis Baker To release Solo Record

Travis Barker also known as the drummer from Blink 182 is said to be working on a all new solo project. After surviving a plane crash that killed four others, Barker is now fully healed and ready to get his music career on track.

The new project due for release this October will take a drastic change of direction from his Blink 182 days. With collaborations with Eminem, Lil Wayne, Drake, T.I, Pharrell Williams, Snoop Dogg, Lupe Fiasco and Rick Ross it will be interesting to see how the mix of talents will come together on this record. Although not a huge fan of Blink 182 I am definitely intrigued.

T.I Pushes Album Release Back

Speaking to Rap-TV T.I. The King of the South stated that his new album, ‘King Uncaged’, has been pushed back once again and will no longer be released on September 28th. Peep what Tip had to say about ‘King Uncaged’ below:

Other News Stories

Kelly Rowland Readying Two Versions Of New LP

Jlo Ruining Her Chance Of A Space On The American Idol Judging Panel

Kelly Rowland Films Two Music Videos This Week

Usher And Chris Brown Set To Go On Tour Together

Producer Red One Inks Deal With Universal Records

Kelly Rowland Set For X-Factor?

Rumours surrounding who will be the next X-Factor judge or who will be the judges on the American version have been running wild for a while now. One name that has surfaced on a consistent basis is my girl Kelly Rowland.

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It hasn’t been confirmed that she is to appear on the US incarnation of the show however according to new reports she is indeed destined to make an appearance on the UK edition during judge’s houses. It has been reported that Simon Cowell himself has hand picked the ‘Commander’ singer along with music mogul Clive Davis.

In whatever capacity we see Ms Kelly on the show all I can hope for is that it gives her a good promotional push and creates interest in her forthcoming as yet untitled album. I am firmly in her corner and wishing that she does exceptionally well this go round. With all these less talented imposters taking over the charts it’s only fair that someone with real singing talent should get their shine.

Source

Lady Gaga Considering A Release Of Two Albums Next Year

Lady Gaga has become a force to be reckoned and this within the space of two years. She has managed to evoke feelings within people which makes them want to buy her records, something a lot of artists have found difficult in recent years due to the declining sales in the music industry.

Whether or you like her music you cannot deny the amazing atonements she has made in such a short space of time and it only looks set to continue. During an interview with Ryan Seacrest she explained that although she has previously stated that her next album is virtually completed, she has gone back into the studio and started to record more music thus hinting she may release two records in 2011.

She sited that the overturning of the California’s Proposition 8 last week has given her a new lease of life in regards to her music.

“I felt like it was a revolution, like a gunshot went off, like it set us all into rotation,” Gaga said. “It was so exciting when it happened because it, for me, was a moment that indicated that it could happen in every state now…I was so happy and I went into the studio and kept writing [new music].”

She continued on to talk about how the new music would affect her forthcoming third album, that she has said in past interviews was already complete.

“I know I told everybody my album was done, which is it kinda is done, but I can’t stop writing music. I don’t know what I’m going to do. I might have to put out two records.”

Though I do commend Gaga for all the success she has been fortunate enough to receive I honestly hope that she doesn’t go ahead with this idea. Two Gaga albums in one year may be just a little two much. With the release of her debut in 2008 and her sophomore album in 2009 I already feel as if we have had enough of her for now so come 2011 I will be in Gaga overload. Exposure is a good thing but too much exposure can prove to be detrimental something she and her camp should be aware of.

Source

Ciara Clears Up ‘Basic Instincts’ Delay Issues

With all the delays in the world postponing the release of her last effort Fantasy Ride (a factor I feel contributed to the underwhelming sales performance of the record) the news of delays occurring on this new album sure did hit a sore note. However Ciara has gone on record to say that the delays are for good reasons and there is nothing to worry about.

Cynical I may be about the real reasoning behind the delays, one can only hope that what Ciara says is the truth because she is another artist that I feel needs to come hard with this new record. With the music industry being so harsh, I can only see a release of contract should this new album not perform to the expectations placed on it. An outcome I would certainly hate to see.

Kanye West To Perform At VMA’s

It’s funny how so much can change in just one year. After storming on the stage, to speak some home truths in my opinion, at last years VMA’s and interrupting what was a pretty boring Taylor Swift acceptance speech Kanye West became public enemy no1. One year on and the man is back to jump up on stage, only this time he has been invited. The controversial yet oh so humours superstar is set to perform at this years’ event which will take place on September 12^th.