September 2002 Nippy News (Part II)

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2002/9/30

Three Songs: Whitney has been sent back to record three more songs along with Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis and Irv Gotti at the request of L.A. Reid. The video for the US failure, "Whatchulookinat," has been shot for overseas viewers but Arista was planning to set up, "Tell Me No," as the next single stateside. [From Groovevolt.com] (Thanks Tyree)
Note: BMG Germany already reported two additional songs were set to be recorded at Reid's request. This story differs by mentioning a total of three songs. It is the first report that has attached specific producers to the newest songs.

'Cheetah Girls' Update: Whitney's Brownhouse Productions has begun casting its previously-reported film adaptation of author Deborah Gregory's "Cheetah Girls" children's book series. The movie will be produced for the Disney Channel. You can click the link above to read the complete article.

Belgium Radio: "Whatchulookinat" was the highest new entry of the week at No. 33 on Radio Donna's "Primadonna" countdown. The "Primadonna" is a weekly chart compiled from listener input. "Whatchulookinat" also debuted at No. 6 on Radio Donna's Ultratip 20 Vlaanderen (the Flemish part of Belgium). The Ultratip 20 tracks new releases that haven't made it to the station's Ultratop 50 chart yet. Radio Donna is the most popular Flemish radio station in Belgium. (Thanks Eddy VB)

Vote For Whitney: Arista's web site has a poll to vote for sexiest female artist. Whitney is in the lead by a fraction, but she needs more votes to gain further distance ahead. You will see the poll if you click the link to their page and then scroll down slightly. (Thanks Christoph)

2002/9/27

NUMBER ONE: Whitney's "Whatchulookinat" will be No. 1 on Billboard's club play chart next week! You also can read the latest chart news from Austria, Sweden and Switzerland...

Store Promotions Begin: It looks like the promotional blitz for "Just Whitney" is getting into high gear. Promotional posters touting the upcoming release are beginning to be displayed prominently in various retail outlets in New York City. (Thanks John G.)

Thank You Note: On the thank you page of India.Arie's new album, "Voyage To India," she thanks her soul sistas and brothas including Stevie Wonder, Angie Stone and Whitney, who have all inspired her to make art from the heart. (Thanks John G.)

The management arm of James Lassiter and Will Smith's Overbrook Entertainment has merged with Emily Gerson Saines' New York-based Gerson Saines Management to form a bicoastal management entity called Brookside Artists Management. Overbrook, whose clients includes Smith, Jada Pinkett-Smith, Whitney Houston, Bobby Brown and Nona Gaye, will combine its roster with Gerson Saines... On the music side, Overbrook reps talent including Samantha Mumba, Taryn Manning, Deborah Cox and Robin Thicke. [From The Hollywood Reporter]

2002/9/26

Whitney Cameo: Bobby Brown told Access Hollywood that Whitney will film a cameo in his movie, "Guns and Roses." He also talked about the accident that put him the hospital in June. You can watch the interview in RealVideo.

On the Charts: "Whatchulookinat" moves up very slightly on the latest Billboard charts, while Whitney's rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" slips. Read the complete statistics released today, plus chart news from Denmark and Italy.

Vote for Whitney! E! Online has a poll on its front page to vote for your favorite diva. Whitney is currently in third place, so let's get her to the top! (Thanks Ollando)

From MTV: Whitney Houston filmed a video last week with director Kevin Bray (Brandy, four prior Houston clips) for "Whatchulookinat," the first single overseas from her new album, Just Whitney. A track list for the album, due by the end of the year, has not been finalized, but songs titled "Tell Me No" and "Unashamed" will likely be included. (Thanks Tyree)

New Article: USA Today published an article about the chart performance of "Whatchulookinat" in the U.S. It starts negatively but balances out by the end.

VH1 Poll: Whitney was ranked at No. 4 in VH1 U.K.'s top 100 female artists countdown, according to a report from Reuters. VH1 said over 750,000 votes were cast.

Italy: "Whatchulookinat" moves up to No. 18 from No. 23 on the "Top Of The Pops" airplay chart in Italy. (Thanks Alex)

2002/9/25

Album Update: The tracklisting for "Just Whitney" is not yet complete. According to BMG, Whitney is recording two more songs at the request of Arista's L.A. Reid. (Thanks Chris)

Bobby Interview: U.S. entertainment news show Access Hollywood will air an interview with Bobby Brown on Thursday to talk about his movie, "Guns and Roses," as well as Whitney. Check your local listings for airtimes. (Thanks Edison)

Music Charts Update: News from Germany

South Africa: Whitney's "Whatchulookinat" single was released today in major CD stores in South Africa. (Thanks Tebogo)

2002/9/24

"Whatchulookinat" - The Video! Over the past weekend, Whitney completed work on the filming for her next video, "Whatchulookinat," the first single to be released from Just Whitney, in stores this November! The video was directed by Kevin Bray, who directed Whitney in her last video, "Fine," a single released from her Greatest Hits compilation. Faith Evans, Whitney's friend and Arista Records label-mate, makes a cameo appearance in the video. [From the Platinum Club] BMG Munich expects the video to be released on October 2, likely premiering on RTL Television in Germany. (Thanks Peter)

Upcoming CDs: TowerRecords has listed a regular CD and Limited Edition CD for "Just Whitney," priced at US$14.99 and US$21.99, respectively. Separately, Amazon.com lists "VH1 Divas: 2002" to be released on CD and DVD October 22. Only nine tracks are listed for the "Divas" CD, and none of them feature Mary J. Blige. Unless Amazon's "Divas" tracklisting is incomplete, it appears at the moment that Whitney's brief duet with Blige won't be on the CD.

Music Charts Update: "Whatchulookinat" continues its climb to the top of Billboard's club play chart.

The Netherlands: Promotion for "Whatchulookinat" has begun in Holland. Radio ads and posters state the new single will be available this Friday, September 27. There are radio commercials almost every hour for the single on Radio 538, and posters around Amsterdam feature the single's cover photo. (Thanks Chantal, Dennis, Sandra)

2002/9/23

More News on 'Tell Me No': Concurring with an earlier report from BMG Germany, BMG's internal web site now states "Tell Me No" with Carlos Santana will be the new lead single from "Just Whitney." The site describes the song as a "big ballad," according to BMG South Korea A&R. That department also received an e-mail from BMG International that said Whitney delivered the song "perfectly," so people who heard it recently went "crazy." The song isn't included on Santana's album tracklisting at this time, so it might only be available on "Just Whitney."
The representative said promotion for "Whatchulookinat" is nearly over in the U.S., with no plans to release it as a CD single. As a result, Arista will just promote the single internationally. On that front, a 4-track "Whatchulookinat" CD single was released today in Korea with the same tracklisting as the CD already released in parts of Europe. "Just Whitney" will be released in Korea on November 25. (Thanks Minho)

Music Charts Update: News from Poland

Vote for Whitney: Arista's web site has a new poll on its front page to vote for the company's most-anticipated albums. Whitney is one of the artists listed, of course, so let's show them how much we want her next album!

WHITNEY HOUSTON (Arista) WHATCHULOOKINAT - "Whatchulookinat?" That's probably what Whitney's been saying to people who stare at her on the street having believed rumors she was either dead or strung out on drugs. Anyway, some guy she knows called Bobby Brown produced this latest single for her, and it's a pleasant if unremarkable slick, uptempo song. Seeing as art and life go hand in hand, Whitney's brand new single is as honest as they come and deals with all the talk surrounding her of late: "I see your eyes on me/You been telling lies on me... Tried to ruin me... Trying to dirty up Whitney's name," she sings. Speaking so candidly on record about one's personal life is great, but let's hope it doesn't all blow up in her face. After all, Jay-Z was screaming 'Not guilty' for God knows how long and look what happened there. (Out: Oct 21) (Verdict: Houston, we have no problem) [From Blues & Soul Online]

Check out Valentin's Russian web site, Brilliant Whitney!

2002/9/22

Another Producer: According to The Seattle Times, 7 Aurelius of Murder Inc. is working with Whitney. He has produced tracks for Ashanti, Eve, Ja Rule, Janet Jackson and Jennifer Lopez. You can click the link above to read the complete article, but it provides no further details about Whitney.

Music Charts Update: News from Sweden

In the Mood: Frank Sinatra is the singer most likely to get people in the mood for love, according to a new poll. Ol' Blue Eyes beat legendary love god Barry White to be voted the nation's favorite artist to accompany an evening of romance. Songs such as Strangers In The Night and Somethin' Stupid have made Sinatra the ideal soundtrack for love-struck couples. Whitney Houston came second in the survey carried out by MasterCard, sponsors of the Mobo Awards. White was third, followed by Craig David and soul legend Luther Vandross, according to the poll of 1,000 people aged 16 and over. [From the Press Association] (Thanks Lee)

The Nippy Events Calendar has been updated, including some appearances in the U.K. (Thanks Adam)

2002/9/20

New Information from BMG Germany: Following "Whatchulookinat," the second single will be "Tell Me No" on which Carlos Santana plays a guitar solo. Carlos personally came to Whitney with this idea and a beautiful title appeared. In addition, the single "Whatchulookinat" has made a great entrance at No. 27 on the German trend chart, without a video. (Thanks Daniel)

Just Whitney: Whitney's next album, Just Whitney, scheduled for a November release, will contain two singles entitled "Tell Me No" and "Unashamed" along with the smash single "Whatchulookinat." You can view two images (1 & 2) as well. [From the Platinum Club]

STARS AND STRIPES: The tracking week included Sept. 11, a day when most stations dedicated at least a portion of their programming to the remembrance of those whose lives were lost in last year's terrorist attacks....On the pop side, Enrique Iglesias' "Hero" jumps 14-6 on our Web site's Hot 100 Singles Airplay Recurrents chart with a 28% gain in audience, while Whitney Houston's "The Star Spangled Banner" posts a 1,000% increase in audience and also climbs 12-2 on Hot 100 Singles Sales. [Excerpt from Billboard]

2002/9/19

New Pictures! Arista has posted two pictures (1 & 2) at its revamped web site. The site also includes a feature where you can send an online Whitney card to friends.

BBC Reports MOBO Awards Article Is Untrue
NOBO For Whitney: The MOBO's organisers have denied Whitney Houston has pulled from the ceremony saying she was never asked anyway. Today's papers [U.K. tabloid The Mirror] claim she's dropped out but when we spoke to the MOBO office they told us she was never in the running to either perform or pick up the lifetime achievement award. The ceremony's on October 1st and the Lifetime Achievement winner is yet to be announced. (Thanks Janis)

On the Charts: Whitney's rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" has jumped close to the top of Billboard's Hot 100 sales chart following the first anniversary of September 11, in addition to entering additional charts. "Whatchulookinat" also experienced an increase on a few charts. Read the complete statistics released today plus chart news from Italy.

Italy: According to BMG, "Just Whitney" will be released in Italy on November 21. Separately, "Whatchulookinat" is still on the "Top Of The Pops" airplay chart in Italy after five weeks, currently at No. 23. (Thanks Alex)

Sexiest Artists: VH1 has ranked Whitney at No. 24 on its list of the "100 Sexiest Artists," which will air its Whitney portion of the countdown on September 26 at 10 p.m. ET. You can click here to read the full press release.

For Bobby Fans: Murder Inc.'s Irv Gotti talked to MTV about Bobby's upcoming single with Ja Rule and his attempts to sign Bobby to the label. He also mentioned Whitney briefly. You can read the complete article.

2002/9/18

BMG Germany Translation: The Diva is back! "Get ready for another GREAT album for my fans to love. Thank you for your patience!," Whitney promised, as her new album "Just Whitney" took its first form in the studio. The single "Whatchulookinat" stands in shops this Monday as confirmation for that statement and as a musical harbinger. The new album "Just Whitney" is also taking shape. At the moment, Whitney is busy in the studio with a fine cross section: Everything should be perfect, so that the small song jewels can unfold in full splendor. Whitney wants them to live up to their promise, which is why the album's release was shifted to November 25 from November 4. The complete album tracklisting still must be given, but what we know so far from the USA sounds very promising: Guest appearances by P. Diddy ("Whatchulookinat"), Santana ("Tell Me No") and Bobby Brown ("My Love") will appear on "Just Whitney." Tweet as songwriter ("Things You Say") and Babyface with three songs as a producer. (Translated from German)

2002/9/17

Spain: The 2-track and 4-track CD singles for "Whatchulookinat" are now available in Spain. The CDs' tracklistings are identical to other singles released in Europe to date. You can buy both items at the Spanish web site for El Corte Inglés [links 1 & 2]. (Thanks Eduardo)

2002/9/16

Album News: Whitney Houston's new album, Just Whitney, hits store shelves on November 26, 2002. The disc will be available in a special Limited Edition package that includes a DVD featuring clippings from the "My Love Is Your Love" tour. The complete tracklisting is not yet available, but the tracks on the album include: "Whatchulookinat," (remix featuring P.Diddy), "Tell Me No," (featuring Santana), "My Love" (duet with Bobby Brown), "Things You Say," (written by Tweet), "Love That Man," "One Of These Days," "On My Own," (produced by Babyface and Carol Bayer Sager) and a cover of "You Light Up My Life." (Thanks Dzemil, Jaymes) [From Groovevolt.com]

Advertisement: BMG Germany has provided these links (1 & 2) to watch its TV advertisement for "Whatchulookinat." (Thanks Roland)

Music Charts Update: News from Germany

If you missed the earlier Nippy News, use the News Archive or the newslog.