Beyoncé
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Pitchfork: When Switch and Diplo worked on your first album, they weren't that well-known. But now Switch is working with Beyoncé and Diplo is doing songs with Usher. It's like pop has caught up to what you guys were doing.
S: When my first record came out it was some weirdo shit on the side. Five years later, it's mainstream. It's cool because maybe more people will be ready to hear what we're doing now. But it's also challenging because I keep having to come up with better shit with way less. I remember when Switch went to work on Beyoncé's record. I actually had done some writing with Beyoncé before that-- I played her "Pon De Floor" video and she was like, "That's amazing." But I was working with Switch at the time and I was just like, "OK Switch, we're working tomorrow?" And he was like, "Actually, I'm working with Beyoncé." And I called up Jay Brown and said, "I introduced you to Switch," and he was like, "Loyalty to the Roc." I was like, "Loyalty to the Roc?! All right, will you manage me?" That's not really how it went down, but I switched management to Roc Nation several months later. Obviously, Jay-Z is a total visionary, and they have a great sense of how brands should work now. Because music is a brand-- I'm a brand, among other things. I mean, records don't really sell much. I'm an artist who wants to do many things.

Pitchfork: So did you introduce Beyoncé to "Pon De Floor", which she later sampled on "Run the World (Girls)"?
S: I'm the first person that showed her the video for sure. Beyoncé's awesome. You can see her trying to grow and push boundaries while not leaving her audience behind. She wants to learn what else is going on in music, while all want to be huge pop stars. It's like: "Let's switch!" Well, not really. I've thought about that a lot, and I could easily be like, "Can someone write me a huge pop song so I can be like fucking Rihanna?" I tried writing with a big pop writer for this album, but I just can't do it. I have to write my lyrics. I'm only going to do music if I enjoy it and I'm proud of what I'm doing. Nowadays, people just churn out these records, but they're not really making art. They're making pop records. There's a difference. And I think a lot of young people who didn't grow up with a whole lot of real music don't know the difference.

Today global superstar Beyonce reveals the judging panel for the "End Of Time" Remix Competition. Ongoing now for over two weeks, the competition seeks to find the best remix of the #1Urban and Pop Club single from the singer's critically acclaimed album, "4." The grand prize winner will take home $4,000 USD and the opportunity to have his/her remix appear on an upcoming Beyonce release. Over two thousand entries have been uploaded to SoundCloud, the leading social sound platform with over 10 million registered users, since the competition was announced on February 8. The competition is opened to 25 countries including, Australia, Brazil, the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. A complete list of rules can be found at www.beyonceonline.com. The judges joining Beyonce represent some the music industry's most influential producers, performers and DJs. The international panel of judges: British musician Isabella Summers of Florence & The Machine, Dutch music producer and DJ Afrojack, the duo DJ and producing team from Poland, WAWA, New York premier DJ Jus-Ske and Oscar-winning producer and composer Giorgio Moroder. The SoundCloud community will vote on entries and the top 50 ranked eligible remixes will be reviewed by this newly announced panel of judges, including Beyonce. Fans can still vote for their favorites remixes to make it into the Top 50. All eligible entries will be judged on the basis of originality, creativity and musicality. The entrant with the highest overall score will be the grand prizewinner. The competition closes at midnight (US EDT) on March 8, 2012.

Beyonce and Mariah Carey are rumoured to be teaming up to duet together for the first time. Sources have told Bossip that the divas are in the beginning stages of recording new material for MiMi's fourteenth studio album. The song, titled 'Further Up,' marks the first time the two powerhouses have collaborated and released new material since the birth of their babies. Mariah gave birth to twins Morrocan and Monroe last April, while everyone knows Bey welcomed baby Blue Ivy in January. Brace yourselves for the ladies trying to out-sing each other! Do you like the sound of a collabo between these two?

Beyonce and Gwyneth Paltrow will reportedly holiday together. The two friends - who met through their respective husbands Jay-Z and Coldplay rocker Chris Martin - are believed to have hired a villa in Tuscany, Italy, for a luxury yoga-based break. Beyonce is expected to take eight-week-old daughter Blue Ivy, while 39-year-old Gwyneth will include daughter Apple, seven, and son Moses, five, in the trip. A source told The Sun newspaper: ''They're planning daily yoga sessions at the private five-star villa, which has its own pool. ''Beyonce has also been taking her daughter Blue Ivy to baby yoga classes after Gwyneth recommended it, so they will spend some of the holiday doing that. ''And the pair will get stuck into a menu of Gwyneth's favourite organic grub while they are away.'' Having taken time out to welcome her first-born child, Beyonce is expected to return to work soon after the holiday.

Fashion retailer Next are proud to present beautiful women's clothing from Beyoncé Knowles' brand, House Of Deréon. The young, fresh and confident SS12 fashion collection at next.co.uk includes ever popular dresses as well as playsuits and tops. Even better, these stylish designer selections can be delivered to you the very next day if ordered before 9pm. House of Deréon is the contemporary fashion collection created and developed by Beyoncé and her mother Tina Knowles. From party dresses to playsuits, the palette of the collection is soft pastels flowing effortlessly from cool mints, warm rusts and nudes to the key colour of SS12 - coral. The details of the season include feminine ruffles, bohemian inspired prints and delicate florals. The infusion of a vintage inspired delivery makes this SS12 season even more trend right! Subtle touches of lace, delicate pin tucks and smocking - perfect for the city streets or the summer festivals. The SS12 House of Deréon collection aims to encapsulate the modern woman; confident, stylish and up to the minute. Tina Knowles, House of Deréon creative director, and her design team travelled extensively in Europe to create a collection inspired by the mysticism of old traditions with the vibrancy of modern cultures. This has been blended with Beyoncé's own individual and charismatic take on fashion - to create the Beyoncé Style with the motto 'Couture.Kick.Soul'. With hundreds of amazing designer brands at next.co.uk, House of Deréon can be found amongst catwalk inspired LK Bennett, Yumi, Firetrap and Lipsy dresses at next.co.uk/branded/womens-house-of-dereon. Don't forget you can get the latest news and competitions by liking Next on Facebook or following @nextofficial on Twitter.

R&B star Beyonce Knowles` friend Liza Minnelli has reportedly offered to babysit her one-month-old daughter Blue Ivy. The 65-year-old singer-actress has formed a strong friendship with the baby`s mother since it was announced she would appear in the remake of `A Star Is Born`, which originally stared Minnelli`s mother Judy Garland, reported Contactmusic. "Liza`s been giving Beyonce tips for the film and they`ve become very close lately. Liza has also grown attached to Blue Ivy and offered to look after the little girl any time. Beyonce politely told Liza she may take her up on the offer, although that`s unlikely to happen because she`s hired several nannies but hardly ever leaves her daughter`s side," a source said. Minnelli has been showering Blue Ivy with gifts and Beyonce and her husband Jay-Z have been left astonished by her generosity. "Generous Liza bought Blue Ivy a decorative solid gold bottle and a bunch of other presents that blew her parents away. Liza always wanted to adopt, but sadly that never happened so she lives vicariously through other people`s kids," the source added.

As if nabbing her first No. 1 on Adult R&B last week wasn't enough for Beyoncé, earning the No. 1 spot on the overall R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart is certainly just right. "Love on Top," the song that will always remind us of Bey's pregnancy announcement on the MTV Video Music Awards, creeps up to the top (2-1), breaking Drake's five-week stay at the peak with two titles: "The Motto" (now No. 2) and "Make Me Proud," featuring Nicki Minaj (4-5). Beyoncé banks her sixth solo No. 1 on R&B/Hip-Hop Songs with "Love on Top" (34 million audience impressions, up 14%, according to Nielsen BDS). The last time Beyoncé charted a No. 1 title was in 2008 with "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)." With the addition of four No. 1s from her Destiny's Child days, she proudly holds 10 toppers to her name.

Count Beyonce Knowles among the millions of mothers worldwide who are proud to breastfeed their children out in the open. Escorted by husband Jay-Z, the "Girls (Run the World)" singer, 30, took along daughter Blue Ivy, seven weeks, for a casual lunch at Sant Ambroeus in NYC's West Village last Saturday. And Beyonce nursed her little girl at her the table, an observer tells Us Weekly. Two additional sources confirm to Us that the first-time mom has been breastfeeding her daughter. Beyonce was snapped leaving the eatery holding her newborn in a blue BabyBjorn -- covered fashionably with a black Donni Charm scarf. Mother and child emerged the very next day; this time, Beyonce held Blue in an exotic leopard-print wrap by Baby Bjorn.

Beyoncé Knowles and new baby Blue Ivy are heading to Europe soon. The new mother will be accompanying her rapper husband Jay-Z during his upcoming tour and their nearly two-month-old daughter is coming along for the ride. Jay will be on the road this summer for the European leg of his successful Watch the Throne concerts and the Single Ladies star will be there to support her man. 'Beyoncé hardly ever misses a show,' an insider told Us Weekly. Although they have busy careers and a new child, the couple who have been together for ten years always make sure to spend quality time just the two of them. 'They love their date nights,' the source said. 'It keeps them solid.' The music moguls have been seen taking in basketball games and going out for dinner in New York City near where they live. They have close family and friends who are eager to help out with babysitting duties whenever they need alone time. 'Everybody wants time with Blue!' the insider gushed.

Gwyneth Paltrow thinks Beyoncé Knowles and Jay-Z's daughter is destined for stardom. The 39-year-old singer and actress - who has daughter Apple, 7, and five-year-old son Moses with her spouse Chris Martin - believes Blue Ivy Carter is going to be an "entertainer" in the future because the two-month-old baby has a "glow around her" like her Single Ladies hitmaker parent. She said: "She is going to be an entertainer. She just has this glow around her like her mother." As well as seeing a lot of potential in Blue, Paltrow thinks first-time parents Knowles and Jay-Z - whose real name is Shawn Carter - are doing a "great" job raising their son. Paltrow said : "Beyoncé is doing great. She's just a natural at being a mom. Blue Ivy is stunning, she has the most beautiful eyes."

In a seven-figure preemptive deal, Sony Pictures is collaborating with Ryan Murphy on One Hit Wonders, a musical comedy pitch that will be written as a star vehicle for Gwyneth Paltrow, Reese Witherspoon, Cameron Diaz, Beyonce and Andy Samberg. Murphy is attached to direct, and he will write the script with his Glee cohorts Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan. Murphy will produce with Paltrow (who has practically become a Glee cast member) and the latter makes her debut as a producer on this film. Murphy hopes to direct it after he completes The Normal Heart. Paltrow, Witherspoon and Diaz will play three singers who each scored a top hit song in the 1990s before watching their careers go down the drain. They decide to form a super group. Samberg and his Lonely Island cohorts will be involved in generating music for the film, I’m told. The project came out of a dinner Murphy had at the Soho House with Paltrow, Diaz and Witherspoon. They wanted to do something fun together and kicked around ideas until they settled on One Hit Wonders. Murphy, who made Eat Pray Love with Sony Pictures chief Amy Pascal, took the pitch to her. Pascal bought it 10 minutes in. They are working the deals right now. Murphy previously made a big deal with Sony for a follow-up picture he’ll direct with Julia Roberts starring. Sony’s Elizabeth Cantillon and Hannah Minghella will steer the project.

New mom, Beyonce gives a big smile as she carries her daughter Blue Ivy Carter in a leopard print Alice Baby Bjorn on February 26, 2012 in New York.

In a seeming case of chart déjà vu, Drake continues his reign on the R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, as "The Motto," featuring Lil Wayne, rules at No. 1 for a second consecutive week. The routine success of Drake leaves allow plenty of room to focus on a stellar feat accomplished by Beyoncé and her old-school-reminiscent "Love on Top." The song earns the Greatest Gainer/Airplay award, lifting 4-2 (30 million audience impressions, up 22%, according to Nielsen BDS). Even better, "Love" becomes Queen Bey's first No. 1 song on the Adult R&B radio tally, where it rises 2-1 in its 19th week (dethroning Robin Thicke's "Love After War" after three weeks). A veteran of charting on Adult R&B for close to 10 years as a soloist, Mrs. Carter was previously closest to the top in 2008, when "Until The End of Time," with Justin Timberlake, reached No. 2. She also placed six songs on the chart in 1998-2005 as a member of Destiny's Child, rising as high as No. 10 with 2005's "Girl." Adding to Bey-mania this week, Beyoncé's former No. 2 hit "Party," also featuring Andre 3000, rebounds 10-8 in its 34th week on R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.

Beyonce Knowles and Jay-Z take their daughter Blue Ivy Carter out for a late lunch at Sant Ambroeus in New York City, NY on February 25, 2012.

New mum Beyonce stepped out last night with her husband Jay-Z, as the pair enjoyed a night of basketball followed by a romantic dinner leaving their newborn daughter Blue Ivy Carter at home. The couple were seen laughing as they left Redfarm, where they ate Chinese food after the game where they watched the NY Knicks against Jay-Z's team the New Jersey Nets. Beyonce needed a little support from her husband as she made her way down the steep steps in her sky high Christian Louboutins. The 'Single Ladies' singer looks in great shape in her black jeans, and bright yellow tuxedo jacket.

Beyonce and Jay-Z attend the New Jersey Nets v New York Knicks game at Madison Square Garden on February 20, 2012 in New York City.