J.R. Martinez wins "Dancing With the Stars"

Wounded war veteran J.R. Martinez claimed victory on the 13th season of the hit TV show "Dancing With the Stars" on Tuesday, winning with a jive and a samba that thrilled audiences.

Martinez, dancing with partner Karina Smirnoff, wowed the judges throughout the 10-week competition and overcame an injured ankle in the final weeks of the popular dance contest to claim its coveted mirror ball trophy. His grit and determination proved an inspiration to viewers.

Rob Kardashian, brother of the Kardashian sisters of reality TV fame, was runner-up. He outscored Martinez by a razor thin margin of 113 to 112 total judges' points over the two-night finale, but audience voting counts for half the final result and viewers pushed Martinez into the winner's circle.

Both finalists performed a final samba to Ricky Martin's "Shake Your Bon Bon," Martinez in an open-neck white shirt set off by sparkling orange suspenders and Kardashian sporting a bright blue shirt enlivened by a bold yellow stripe.

Talk show host and actress Ricki Lake came in third, despite executing a tango to the theme from "Psycho" that scored a perfect single dance score of 30 from the judges.

Martinez, 28, an "All My Children" TV actor, Army veteran and motivational speaker, was ebullient upon his victory, thrusting his arm in the air, thanking voters and telling Smirnoff, "You are amazing and I'm so grateful that I was able to be a part of your first mirror ball trophy."

Kardashian, who was repeatedly cited for improvement and growth over the course of the season, said performing before millions of viewers weekly was "so out of my comfort zone."

"I definitely am not sad," he said. "I won in my book."

Black Eyed Peas taking a break, deny breaking up

The Black Eyed Peas have denied rumors that they are breaking up but say they are taking a break from making music together for a while.

"We are not breaking up," band member Taboo told Reuters on Monday at a launch party for their video dance game, "The Black Eyed Peas Experience."

"We're going to take a little vacation and focus on our personal things," added Apl.de.ap, real name Allan Lindo, Jr. who will be focusing on his duties as ambassador for education in the Philippines.

Will.i.am told TV chat show host Ellen DeGeneres, in an interview to be aired on Wednesday, that the band "always have two cycles of records and then we take a break."

"When we take breaks you know, we work on side projects and get our personal stuff in order to then come back and make beautiful music," added the rapper.

The band will play their final concert before the break in Miami on Wednesday and will feature Marc Antony, Cee Lo Green, Flo Rida, Sean Kingston and Jason Derulo.

The four band members have all ventured into solo projects in addition to their music, including fragrance and shoe collections, acting, and philanthropic causes, which they will be focusing on during their hiatus.

Their video dance game on the Xbox 360 Kinect and Wii consoles allows gamers to learn the Black Eyed Peas choreography while seeing their progress captured on screen.

"I want them to get the excitement of actually having the Black Eyed Peas in their own living room," said Taboo.

The game is also a good workout regime. "We have childhood obesity, so it's a good way for people to work out while having fun," said singer Fergie.

Music; Waje & Omawumi premieres new single “Christmas=Jollification”

Songstresses Waje and omawumi have released a new single tilted “christmas = jollification”. Release Last week, the single is a Christmas dance track produced by Del B.

BBA Paloma becomes brand ambassador in Nigeria

Big Brother Africa housemate, Paloma Manda has signed an endorsement deal with Delta State based Dandora Multi-Media production house as their brand ambassador in Nigeria. In an interview with Punch Newspaper Nigeria, the Zambia born said she has always wanted to be famous and she will not allow anything get in the way.

The 27 year old also made known that "it was this determination that kept her going after several failed attempts to get into the Big Brother house until she was finally picked.

When asked what her passion was, Manda said it lies in seeing others happy. Reacting to her appointment as the face of DPHL, Paloma thanked her hosts, saying she had wanted to come to Nigeria much earlier based on her interaction with Nigerians in the past but things didn’t quite work out then. “Nigeria has a vast pool of talents and for me; this is a great opportunity to be an integral part of giving many young talents a sense of direction,” she says.

Genevieve takes on Zambia

Multiple award winner actress Genevieve Nnaji alongside Kehinde Bankole from the super story fame and Stella Abiola is set to grace this year's edition of the National Association of Media Arts Special Night tagged 'NAMA Remembers Night' to take place in Zambia.

According to NAMA chairperson , Bright Banda, logistics have been put in place to receieve Genevieve and her counterparts. The team will also be embarking on their first road trip to Zambia and also taking on a study of different locations where the actress and other Zambian actors are proposing a jiont 13 series movie titled "Behind the Shadows". Genevieve was recently honoured with the Member of Federal Republic, MFR of Nigeria.

Tuface Idibia saves policeman shot by armed robbers

Multiple award winning singer 2face Idibia recently rescued a policeman shot by robbers in Ikoyi Lagos. According to reports, the singer alongside a close friend Matthew Ohio, were on their way back from an event in the early hours of Sunday November 20, 2011, when the man was found lying down by the roadside. The pair decided to stop and discovered the man had been shot three times.

In a telephone conversation with Ohio an executive producer of Industry Nite, the man was rushed to a hospital in VI, where he was treated after Tuface stood as his guarantor.

The policeman has since been transferred to the Military Hospital, Awolowo Rd,Ikoyi to receive further treatment and his health condition is said to be stable.

Nigerian Idol presents the Season II movie premiere

Music Reality show, Nigerian Idol is set to premiere the first episode of the show on Sunday November 27, 2011 at the Genesis Deluxe Cinema, Lagos. The premiere will begin with a blue carpet at the Genesis Deluxe Cinema to welcome guests into the cinema hall for the 90 minute premiere of the first episode of Nigerian Idol Season II.

The first episode will show guests a special sneak preview of what will be expected from the action packed music show. Yeka Onka, winner of the first season will also serenade guests at a cocktail party after the screening.

Nigerian Idol is brought to you by Etisalat in association with Pepsi and Sony. Its official airline partner is Air Nigeria. Nigerian Idol will begin airing, December 4 across the country

Kefee embarks on tour in Canada

Few months after an astounding performance in the US, ‘Branama’ singer, Irikefe Obareki also known as Kefee is set to embark on a Canadian tour.

According to her management team, the singer is expected to treat her fans to live music and choreographed dances for three weeks. The tour schedule will include performances at Toronto for Friday November 25, 2011, Edmonton for Saturday December 3, 2011 and Calgary for Saturday December 10, 2011.

When asked her expectations for the tour Kefee said, “we have done it in the US and different countries. Now, Canada should get ready to witness Africa through my music”. She is also currently working in her forthcoming album due for release next year.

Naeto C confirms wedding plans with Nicole

Ten over Ten crooner, Naeto C has confirmed his wedding plans with his girlfriend of over one year, Nicole Chukwueke. The singer who said this in an interview with Encomium Magazine reporter at an event said the wedding will hold next year

It was reported that you are getting married soon, can you tell us how you finally found love?
Naeto C: I am sorry, I don't like talking about my person because it involves my family also.

But the marriage is holding next year?
Naeto C: By the grace of God, yes.