Check out Beyonce like you’ve never seen her before. The superstar singer, 29, strikes many a unique pose in the March 2011 issue of L’Officiel magazine. Loving the African, tribal look Ms. Knowles went for. At this point of her career, it’s all about thinking out of the box and asserting why she is head of the pack  - something this shoot more than does from an artistic standpoint. Great shoot!

Rihanna was one of the many superstar acts who in the audience at the NBA All-Star Game last evening. Other notable names at the event included Beyonce, Jay-Z, Drake, Keri Hilson and Kanye West. Birthday girl Rihanna, who turned 23, provided the halftime entertainment at Sunday’s NBA All-Star Game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. A stunning RiRi performed a medley of her hits including “Umbrella,” “Only Girl (In the World),” and “Rude Boy,” bringing out surprise guests Drake and Kanye West for “What’s My Name?” and “All of the Lights.” 

Music industry tycoon Steve Stoute is calling out The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) and its president, Neil Portnow. The Commissioner, who’s masterminded million-dollar deals for artists like Jay-Z and Gwen Stefani, has taken out a full page ad in Sunday’s New York Times chiding the Grammys for awarding less popular artists such as Arcade Fire and Esperanza Spalding over chart toppers Justin Bieber, Eminem, and Kanye West in past years. Stoute believes the artists are being used for ratings and that the “Grammy Awards have clearly lost touch with contemporary pop culture.” Do you agree? Read his fiery words below.

“Over the course of my 20-year history as an executive in the music business and as the owner of a firm that specializes in in-culture advertising, I have come to the conclusion that the Grammy Awards have clearly lost touch with contemporary popular culture. My being a music fan has left me with an even greater and deeper sense of dismay—so much so that I feel compelled to write this letter. Where I think that the Grammys fail stems from two key sources: (1) over-zealousness to produce a popular show that is at odds with its own system of voting and (2) fundamental disrespect of cultural shifts as being viable and artistic.

As an institution that celebrates artistic works of musicians, singers, songwriters, producers and technical specialists, we have come to expect that the Grammys upholds all of the values that reflectthe very best in music that is born from our culture. Unfortunately, the awards show has become a series of hypocrisies and contradictions, leaving me to question why any contemporary popular artist would even participate. How is it possible that in 2001 The Marshall Mathers LP—an album by Eminem that ushered in the Bob Dylan of our time—was beaten out by Steely Dan (no disrespect) for Album Of The Year? While we cannot solely utilize album sales as the barometer, this was certainly not the case. Not only is Eminem the best-selling artist of the last decade, but The Marshall Mathers LP was a critical and commercial success that sold over 10 million albums in the United States (19 million worldwide), while Steely Dan sold less than 10% of that amount and came and went as quietly as a church mouse. Or consider even that in 2008 at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards, after going into the night as the most-nominated artist, Kanye West’sGraduation was beaten out for Album Of The Year by Herbie Hancock’s River: The Joni Letters. (This was the first time in 43 years that a jazz album won this category.) While there is no doubt in my mind of the artistic talents of Steely Dan or Herbie Hancock, we must acknowledge the massive cultural impact of Eminem and Kanye West and how their music is shaping, influencing and defining the voice of a generation. It is this same cultural impact that acknowledged the commercial and critical success of Michael Jackson’s Thriller in 1984.

Just so that I’m not showing partiality to hip-hop artists (although it would be an entirely different letter as to how hip-hop music has been totally diminished as an art form by this organization), how is it that Justin Bieber, an artist that defines what it means to be a modern artist, did not win Best New Artist? Again, his cultural impact and success are even more quantifiable if you factor in his YouTube and Vevo viewership—the fact that he was a talent born entirely of the digital age whose story was crafted in the most humble method of being “discovered” purely for his singing ability (and it should be noted that Justin Bieberplays piano and guitar, as evidenced on his early viral videos).

So while these very artists that the public acknowledges as being worthy of their money and fandom are snubbed year after year at the Grammys, the awards show has absolutely no qualms in inviting these same artists to perform. At first I thought that you were not paying attention to the fact that the mental complexion of the world is becoming tanned, that multiculturalism and poly-ethnicity are driving new meaning as to what is culturally relevant. Interesting that the Grammys understands cultural relevance when it comes to using Eminem’s, Kanye West’s or Justin Bieber’s name in the billing to ensure viewership and to deliver the all-too-important ratings for its advertisers.

What truly inspired the writing of this letter was that this most recent show fed my suspicions. As the show was coming to a close and just prior to presenting the award for Album Of The Year, the band Arcade Fire performed “Month of May”—only to… surprise… win the category and, in a moment of sheer coincidence, happened to be prepared to perform “Ready to Start.”

Does the Grammys intentionally use artists for their celebrity, popularity and cultural appeal when they already know the winners and then program a show against this expectation? Meanwhile the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences hides behind the “peer” voting system to escape culpability for not even rethinking its approach.

And I imagine that next year there will be another televised super-close-up of an astonished front-runner as they come to the realization before a national audience… that he or she was used.

You are being called to task at this very moment, NARAS.

And to all of the artists that attend the Grammys: Stop accepting the invitation to be the upset ofthe year and demand that this body upholds its mission for advocacy and support of artistry as culture evolves.

Demand that they change this system and truly reflect and truly acknowledge your art.”

Jay-Z and LeBron James gave back to the community for the third year in a row during NBA All-Star Weekend by teaming up with Sprite to present a renovated gym to the Boys & Girls Club of Los Angeles on Saturday. Hip-hop and basketball’s MVPs interacted with the youth, posed for photos, and unveiled a mural by artist Mr. Cartoon. After performing their good deed, the titans hosted their 5th Annual Two Kings Dinner at Craft in Century City.

I know you’ve probably got this one, but hey! Which singer was killin’ ‘em in these spiky, jewel-encrusted stilletos? I’ll give you a hint, this girl is one hot singer! And she got it locked right here in the UK? Click after the jump to find out who it is…

It’s Leona Lewis! (SHOCKING!) The “Bleeding Love” songstress was trying on clothes for next month’s Grammys and picked out these dangerous designer heels. “They r all vegan! Luv it!” she tweeted. “It means no animals were harmed in the making of these shoes…but people may have been ; )”

Jessie J recently revealed that she is planning a duet with her fellow Brit. “Leona and I want to do a duet together,” she told the Daily Record. “I’m planning to write a Whitney-Mariah-style ‘When You Believe’ kind of song and release it next Christmas.”

When Usher chose a fan to serenade at one of his concerts, we bet he didn’t expect to get kicked in the face! But that’s exactly what happened when a fan got a bit to excited and tried to whip her leg over Usher.

With the footage caught on video, the fan who nearly knocked Usher out, must be under a rock, dying of embarrassment right this moment. However, Usher is seeing the funny side of things telling the fan through:“Wherever you are baby, don’t feel bad. No hard feelings.”

He continued: “In all my years, this is one of the most interesting experiences. I got a kick out of it! It looked worse than it actually was. My audience and I got a good laugh.”. Usher is expected to play in the UK this February to a sold out venue. Although fans where disappointed to find out that no further extra dates were added to the “OMG Tour” – that still won’t stop them from doing anything to get their kick out of Usher!

The incarcerated rapper bows at No. 4 this week with his latest LP, moving 159,000 copies. While the album is a success by industry standards, it marks the first time that Tip hasn’t debuted at No. 1 since 2004 when Urban Legendentered the chart at No. 7. Comparatively, 2008’s Paper Trailscored a chart-topping debut with 568,000 units.

T.I. thanked his fans for their support. “First off I’d like to thank everybody again for going out and supporting the hustle yet again with No Mercy last week,” he wrote on his blog. “I can’t say enough on how much I appreciate the support and all the positive feedback. I read so many tweets, letters, reviews, and comments that spoke volumes to how much love was still out there and how much respect still exists for my art and my passion.”

Meanwhile, Nicki Minaj’s Pink Friday continues to go strong in its third week on the chart, climbing two spots to No. 6 with another 82,000 units. Rihanna’s latest set Loud makes the move up to No. 9 with an additional 71,000.

From December 1st 2010, some of your favorite celebs will die for the cause. Alicia Keys, Lady Gaga, Justin Timberlake, Serena Williams, Swizz Beatz, Kim Kardashian, Usher, Diddy, Janelle Monáe, and Jay Sean are among those pulling the plug on their social networking sites to help raise $1 million for Keys’ Keep a Child Alive foundation. In an attempt to help those afflicted with HIV/AIDS in Africa and India, the stars will appear in coffins, representing their digital death.

Close sources to the Young Money rapper told us he is currently working with an underground producer called 9th Wonder and was photographed leaving a studio from where DJ Premier works in New York. Whilst industry press are still confused with the single line up of “Thank Me Later“, huge radio hits such as “Fancy“, “Shut It Down” and “Show Me A Good Time” never see the light of day for the singles shelf.

Yet again this just simply highlights the repeat mistakes that Young Money make when it comes down to the whole album launch and single line up - may I add the video for “Fancy” which featured T.I. and Swizz Beats was shot and ready to be sent to MTV when officials at the label decided to withdraw the entire single from commercial circulation.

From what out sources say, “Take Care” will walk all over “Thank Me Later“, with Universal Motown now more involved in the entire process of album (and Lil Wayne, who couldn’t take care of the business strategy as he was in prison) this LP may just push Drake even further in his already outstanding career.

Despite slow sales during the opening week of “Merry Christmas II You” but as the festive season approaches and in many ways begins the sales of the LP have rocketed (yet, still Mariah’s first Christmas album still manages to gather enough sales to stay 7 places ahead on the sales chart). With the project being constantly question of the purpose it serves in the current market – it’s clear Universal wan’t a little slice of a Merry Mariah!

With that aside, I was shocked to see Mariah’s “exclusive” line of tacky and over the top clothing line on the home shopping network, really? Is this what she has come to? I understand Mariah Carey is pregnant and so the motherhood begins, but please Mariah just stick to the fragrances this is not a good look at all! Only time will tell what happens to this, I do feel another “Glitter” moment coming real soon, so now that Mariah has ticked off Sony, EMI and (maybe soon – don’t quote me) Universal, I guess the only one left is Warner Bros. – Roll on Mariah Carey the cartoon series.